The Best Of Everything

Yesterday And Today

Mystery Muncher recalls dining spots;
first Billy Rose CD is released.

Ponchartrain Wine Cellars and get
he Mystery Muncher
that old romantic feeling. Restaurants
writes ... "Good food and
are places to socialize, be seen and
the amenities that go with
even to fall in love. And nostalgia has
it never go out of style.
a lot to do with it.
Runaway favorites of yesteryears were
"Speaking of nostalgia,
Joe Muer's, London Chop
Detroit once had a reputation
House, Ponchartrain Wine
as a city of great legitimate
Cellars and Mario's, all
theaters. Do you remember
Detroit, and Dearborn Inn.
the Cass, the Shubert and the
"Other Detroit and subur-
Detroit Opera House? All
ban restaurants mentioned in
were showplaces as famous as
a listing from the 1970s by
the Fisher, Masonic Temple
wining and dining critics were
and the Birmingham Theater
Justine, Van Dyke Place,
before it became a movie
Money Tree, Roma Cafe,
DAN NY
house.
Restaurant Duglass, Chuck
RAS KIN
"The Cass fell upon hard
Muer's River Crab,
Local C olitinnist times and converted to
Elizabeth's, Golden
movies. In 1965, as the
Mushroom, D. Dennison's,
Summit, it had its last glory
Carl's Chop House, the Sheik,
hosting wide-screen Cinerama produc-
Chung's and LaRotisserie.
tions. But by 1978, the Cass was con-
"Some critics hailed Aliette's Bakery,
verted into a parking lot.
a small bistro in Detroit with French
"The Detroit Opera House was part
classics cooked to order, Farm House
of the Nederlander dynasty. Built in
in Hazel Park for short ribs, grilled
1869, the theater burned down in 1869
lamb chops and homemade pies and
and was rebuilt as the Shubert-Detroit
cakes, the Embers in Mt. Pleasant fea-
Opera House. It ran on until 1931. It
turing Seafood De
Jonge, Chaim
Sweeney's in
Dearborn and
Peabody's in
Birmingham for
steaks, barbecue ribs
and whitefish.
"In Detroit and
surroundinc, areas
were restaurants that
had escargot and lob-
ster to pizza and
pasta. With all the
new glamour spots,
ethnicity, elaborate
decor or artificial
ferns and question-
able antiques, top
chefs and prices to
match, good old
standbys like Joe
Muer's and Lelli's
were still mentioned
by the seasoned diner
as outstanding.
"You could be
away from Detroit
for years and still
Billy Rose is playing with his quartet at Excalibur
walk into

T

RESERVATION
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featuring

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41
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THE PLATTERS

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OPEN BAR! 4
GOURMET DINNER!
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FAVORS!

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Per
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ITALIA

41 0, , Celebrity Showt -omn

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7096 East Fourteen Mite Road

etween Mound &Van Dyke)

AUBURN HILLS

Lelli's of Auburn Hilts, 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

Sila, 4033 W. 12 Mile Road, Berkley, (248)

548-3650.There is nothing like a consis-
tendy 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-12 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 7 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 96