• • II • 111-11k

The Best Of Everything

" Cele

•

Looking Back

Northland's Abbey Restaurant; Gay '90s Showboat;
Kathy Keegan's missed hit.

"You darn fool," the driver screamed
n New York, when Broadway
at him. "Of course, I've been drink-
theaters began having bars,
ing! What do you think I am — a
more people were late for the
stunt
driver?"
second act than the first.
Another
oldie favorite was about a
When Swinging Time on CKLW-
waiter
in
a
big-city
restaurant who
TV was renamed The Robin Seymour
was
stricken
and
rushed
to an emer-
Show in years back ... many
gency room ... On the oper-
folks could recall when
ating table in great pain,
Robin (Seymour Altman) was
waiting for attention, he saw
just a local disc jockey..
an intern passing by, and
NORTHLAND CEN-
pleaded, "Doc, I'm sick.
TER had a cocktail lounge
Can't you do something?" ...
called Abbey Restaurant and
"Sorry," the doctor said.
Lounge ... located a short
"This isn't my table."
way across from Northland
THREE RESTAU-
Playhouse, run by Ken
RANTS
on Livernois
DAN NY
Schwartz ... It was a cute
stopped operations at almost
spot with piano bar and
RAS KIN
the same time ... Flagpole,
pleasant atmosphere ... Big
Local Columnist
Charade and Allo Paris all
attraction at Abbey
closed for different reasons.
Restaurant and Lounge was a
WITH
HIS TRIO at the
photograph of the original Abbey
Apartment
Lounge on West
Irish Players that included Barry
McNichols,
east of Southfield, Bobby
Fitzgerald ... And antique lovers were
Laurel
was
unique
... he seemed to be
mad about an authentic big-wheel
whoever a person's mood wanted him
bike of the 1880s.
to be ... Bobby's jazz-piano stylings
THE FOOD at Bob Orth's Gay
and velvety voice presented good lis-
'90s Showboat, in Detroit on
tening.
Washington Blvd., between Lafayette
and Michigan, was modern fare
... with seating for about 200 in
the Riverboat Room and about
60 in the Swanee Room Cocktail
Lounge ... It was Detroit's home
of Dixieland jazz and the place
really jumped ... with Alexander's
Ragtime Band, Pee Wee Hunt,
Muggsy Spanier, Clyde McCoy,
etc.
TIMING WAS OFF for
Kathy Keegan, songstress at the
Polaris Supper Club, John R
between 13 and 14 Mile ... Her
recording of "It's a Good Life"
started out as a sensation ... Then
Tony Bennett came out with his
best-seller of the same tune.
FAVORITE STORIES ... by
Al Kravens ... about the motorist
speeding down a country road
when his car suddenly veered
sharply, hit a soft shoulder, rolled
over four times and was in the
middle of a cornfield ... A farmer,
hoeing nearby, rushed over and
saw the driver slowly crawl out ...
"That was a mighty bad spill you
Hotel Pontchartrain's Chuck Muer provided
had there," the farmer remarked.
British-style transportation.
"Have you been drinking?" ...

I

DON RICKLES

Wed., & Thurs., Oct. 25 & 26

PAUL ANKA

Thurs., Fri. & Sat.,
Nov. 9 10 & I I

9/8
2000

88

D)9

G

AUBURN HILLS

Lelles &Auburn Hills. 885 Opdyke
Road,Auburn Hills, (248) 373-4440.The
second of Lelli's traditionally fine Italian ris-
torantes 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

Sill, 4033 W. 12 Mile Road, Berkley, (248)
548-3650.There is nothing like a consis-
tently 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
serving corned beef, fresh roasted turkey,
sandwiches. 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

Bangkok Sala Cafe, 27903 Orchard
Lake Road, Orchard- 1 2 Plaza, Farmington

Hills, (248) 553-4220.Tropical and tradi-
tional Thai dishes are served from the
over-50 items of freshly prepared lunch
and dinner dishes, including vegetarian and
children favorites. Open seven days a
week for dine in and carry-out.

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 spe-
cialty 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
magazine 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

DINING GUIDE on page 92