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The Best Of Everything
Ceiebrity Shovvroom
• DAVID BRENNER
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Friday, July 7
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Assaggi owners have brought gourmet
Mediterranean fare to Ferndale.
opening Assaggi with George.
hat is Mediterranean
Seating is for 60 in a clean atmos-
dining? ... If the answer
phere with white linen napkins and
is that it relates to the
beige linen tablecloths ... Interesting
Mediterranean sea, then
bits like extra virgin olive oil poured
is it what comes from the body of
into a flat plate for dipping the home-
water? ... Or more sensibly, from the
made Italian bread ... The puffy and
countries around it?
crunchy delicious pita for
The latter seems to be the
which people are coming to
choice of the metropolitan
enjoy, is Lebanese ... The
area's latest restaurant ...
colorful dishware for varied
Assaggi, which opened May 11
food presentations looks like
on Nine Mile Road, one block
what you would see in
west of Woodward in Ferndale,
France.
about two doors west of
Assaggi is one of the
F&M.
few restaurants around that
Dishes prepared at Assaggi
makes its own wine and
(The Taste of Italian) come
D ANNY
Sangria ... Its open kitchen
from Italy, range chicken
RA SKIN
puts out fine dishes like
breast with prosciutto,
Local Columnist the popular salmon with
fontinella and sage stuffing ...
pappardelle, pasta,
France, char-grilled filet
pancetta and baby peas ... in a
mignon with cognac butter ...
vodka asiago sauce.
Lebanon, pistachio and pine nut-
The dessert tray brought by a wait-
crusted rack of lamb ... Spain,
person is filled with goodies that are
Valencia-style paella with shrimp,
all made at the restaurant ... A friend
chicken, chorizo, beans, artichoke,
of George is a pastry chef elsewhere,
tomato and calasparras rice ... in a saf-
but comes to the restaurant 10 a.m. to
fron-infused broth.
2 p.m., four days a week, to make the
Morocco, whitefish crusted with
delicious selections.
potato and cous-cous ... Noisettes of
If George and Josie's Assaggi turns
veal tenderloin, pan-fried potato gnoc-
out even partially as good as his one-
chi, arugula and brown sage butter
time Mediterranean Kitchen in Troy,
with roasted tomato
demi-glace, has both
French and Italian influ-
ences.
Back around 1977,
owner George Gize had
the former
Mediterranean Kitchen
in Troy ... a most inter-
esting little restaurant
that seated about 40 on
one side and was a gro-
cery store on the other ...
It was ahead of its time
and closed in 1989 ...
Assaggi is what George
hoped for if he ever
opened another
Mediterranean restaurant
... Open kitchen and
wood-burning oven.
His partner, Josie
Rotonda, hostess, dining
room manager, etc., was
manager at a popular
Troy restaurant before
josie Rotonda and George Gize of Assaggi in Ferndale
IV
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• TOM JONES
• Sat., Sept. 30 & Sun., Oct. I
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DON RICKLES
• • Wed., & Thurs., Oct. 25 & 26
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• PAUL ANKA
• • Thurs., Fri. & Sat.,
• Nov. 9,10 & I I
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. HAM
ShOWTOOlii
7096 East Fourteen Mile Road
6/30
41,
(Betwaen Mound &Van Dyke)
2000
411
(810) 268-3200
84
A Dream Revisited
in ng amid
AUBURN HILLS
Lelti's of Auburn Hills, 885 Opdyke Road,
Auburn Hills, (248) 373-4440.The second of
Lelli's 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. Reservations are accepted for any
evening except Saturday.
BERKLEY
Sila, 4033 W. 12 Mile Road, Berkley, (248)
548-3650.There is nothing like a consistently
dependable neighborhood family restaurant.
The Italian and American menu is one that
evokes much confidence in casual dining.The
chicken, ribs, round and square pizzas, fish,
salad, pasta, etc. are served seven days a
week for lunch and dinner. Everything is also
available for carry-out.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Steve's Deli, 6646 Telegraph Road,
Bloomfield Hills, (248) 932-0800. Award-
winning chicken soup is featured.Also serv-
ing corned beef, fresh roasted turkey, sand-
wiches, salads and traditional dishes. Party
trays and catering too at this New York-style
deli. Carnegie Deli cheesecake and Steve's
Brownies are among the desserts.
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-
seater area, and carry-out, seven days a
week. Soups, chili, salads and side dishes are
homemade. Also homemade are the popular
cookies and brownies.
Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical
Museum, 31005 Orchard Lake Road,
Farmington Hills, (248) 626-5020. One maga-
zine said that there was no place like it in
the country. The Guinness Book of Records has
featured its accomplishments. Lunch and
snacks are available with table seating amidst
video games, antiques, nostalgic posters, fly-
ing miniature airplanes, entertainment attrac-
tions, pinball machines, etc. it is open 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, and traditional Jewish dishes pre-
pared by Shirlee Bloom, using only kosher
products in her separate kitchen, makes it
much more than just a cafe and catering
setup. Homemade salads, sandwiches and
entrees are available at booths and tables.
Everything can also be gotten for carry-out
DINING GUIDE
on page 88