•• ••••••••• • • • • • • • • • The Best Of Everything Ceiebrity Shovvroom • DAVID BRENNER • so S Friday, July 7 • • • • • • • • • 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 • • • • • • • S • TOM JONES • Sat., Sept. 30 & Sun., Oct. I • • • • • • •1,. ..,4\ • • • • • • • • • • DON RICKLES • • Wed., & Thurs., Oct. 25 & 26 • • PAUL ANKA • • Thurs., Fri. & Sat., • Nov. 9,10 & I I • • • . 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