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Celdnitl Showroom
• Brings You Its
•
Great 2000
• Parade of Stars! •
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3/24
2000
96
411)
Insider shares memories of Detroit's
most famous restaurant.
Chop House, and personified an
el Ball spent many
aspect
of this world-renowned restau-
evenings at the London
rant
that
could not be denied,' " I told
Chop House restaurant
them.
"
'It
towered in size and stature
in downtown Detroit ...
above
the
other
tables, and took
"During the mid-'70s and most of
precedence
over
the more modest but
the '80s, I performed at the London
still
prestigious
Booth Two.
Chop House. Although I fre-
Booth
One
was
saved only
quently meet people who have
for
the
creme
de
la creme,
shared my Chop House experi-
and
symbolized
the epitome
ence, I haven't thought about
of
elitism
and
pretension.
the place for quite some time.
Yet, regardless of whatever it
That is, not until last Friday
represented, I loved being
when my wife, Gail, and I had
seated there, basking in the
dinner with our two grown
artificial atmosphere and
children at Ristorante di
jealous
stares, while enjoying
Modesta in Southfield. Jason is
some of the best food served
in his second year at Boston
DAN NY
anywhere!
University, and Lauren is com-
RAS KIN
pleting her first year at DePaul Local Co lumnist "like Booth One, the
London Chop House was
University in Chicago.
an enigma and a mass of
"Ristorante di Modesta was
contradictions.
It was inconspicuously
packed as owner Manuel Chavez
located
in
a
large
basement off busy
greeted us at the door. Manuel was
Congress
Street,
in
downtown
flabbergasted when he saw Jason and
Detroit.
But
it
was
the
most conspicu-
Lauren. He had not seen them since
ous
place
anywhere,
shining
like a
he was a waiter at the London Chop
beacon
that
virtually
lit
up
the city -
House. At that time, Jason and
and
suburbs.
The
London
Chop
Lauren would sit proudly in their high
House was a private club that was
chairs as they were being weaned on
open to the public. Everyone who
Chop House food.
walked
down the long stairway and
"'I have a booth for you,' Manuel
entered
this cavern would immediate-
exclaimed, as he
ly feel the cama-
escorted us to our
raderie throughout
seats. 'Not quite
the room. It was
Booth One at the
mystical how the
Chop House, but
energy flowed in a
enjoy!' he said,
perpetual
loop
laughing.
between the patrons
"Jason looked at
and the secrets that
me in a strange way,
were hidden within
trying to figure out
its walls.
why we weren't sit-
"`I was told that the
ting at the more
London
Chop
comfortable adja-
House
was
fashioned
cent table. 'What's
Inside the London Chop House.
after
21,
the
New
with this booth bit?'
York
landmark
he asked.
restaurant. Perhaps there was a physi-
"'It's a connection to the London
cal
resemblance between the two
Chop House, I replied, as Gail smiled
restaurants;
however, there was only
knowingly.
one
London
Chop House. It stood
"Lauren stared incredulously, 'What
alone,
as
an
icon
with its own identity
are you talking about?' "This was start-
that
was
vital
and
alive.
ing to get a little heavy, but I enjoyed
was born at the
"'The
word
eclectic
the booth reference, for it released a
Chop
House.
Upon
entering
the
floodgate of memories that had lain
see
the
restaurant,
one
would
first
dormant for quite some period.
huge
wooden
bar
that
ran
across
the
"'Booth One was synonymous with
width
of
the
room,
stopping
just
short
the heart and soul of the London
liff
ma\
•
The Band Leader
'
Celebritv.Shoroom
w
WIT
la,
The Best Of Everything
7096 East Fourteen Mile Road
(Between Mound &Van Dyke)
• (810) 268-3200 •
AUBURN HILLS
Lelli's of Auburn Hills, 885 Opdyke Road,
Auburn Hills, (248) 373-4440.The second of
Lelliss traditionally fine Italian ristorantes is
located across from the Pontiac Silverdome.
Besides elegant surroundings, it features the
same excellent food served by the Lelli family
since 1939. Reservanons are accepted for any
evening except Saturday.
BERKLEY
4033 W. 12 Mile Road, Berkley, (248)
,There is nothing like a consistently
borhood family restaurant.
IOW SAmerican menu is one that
miexKlich confidence in casual dining.The
ound and square pizzas, fish,
-are served seven days a week
'
mner. Everything is also avan-
t.
egfx:
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
's Deli, 6646 Telegraph Road,
I,s, (248) 932-0800. Award - win-
is featured.Aiso serving
:.0404it.ish roasted turkey, sandwiches,
salads anriVitifbnal dishes. Party trays and
catering too at this New York-style deli.
Carnegie Deli cheesecake and Steve's
vmies are among the desserts.
eVpptip
ts of ;,.. Detroit, 7618 Woodwa.rd , Detroit,
has _been an Italian
vorite since 1939, with traditional dishes
served daily.The varied menus of Italian spe-
cialties provide regular and light presentations
by the Lelli family.
FARMINGTON HILLS
Desert Sands, 29222 Orchard Lake Road,
Farmington Hills, (248) 855-1122. Middle-
Eastern dining is featured by Hassan Bazzi,
former maitre d' at the Original Sheik in
downtown Detroit. Daily specials at lunch
and dinner. Full menu carryout with catering
available. Complete liquor service.
Intelligent Chicken, 32431 Northwestern
Hwy., Farmington Hills, (248) 855-4455.The -
wide variety of specialty items are together
with a complete menu of charbroiled or
rotisserie chicken for both dining in the 40-
eater area, and carry-out, seven days a week.
Soups, chili, salads and side dishes are home-
kInade.Also homemade are the popular cook-
es and brownies.
arvelous Mechanical
5 Orchard Lake Road,
248) 626-5020 One mag-
place like it in
•*WWIStAikeaBook of Records
titishments. Lunch and
n th table seating
*ntiques, nostalgic
e airplanes, entertain-
all machines, etc. It is
ttrittio'ns
cers seven days a Week.
Vineyards Cafe & Catering, 32418
Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills, (248)
855-9463,This is a many-faceted type of
operation. Nibbles and Nuts at the Vineyards,
DINING GUIDE
on page 100