The Best Of Everything

Same Name Only

Honey Tree of Farmington Hills
has a menu all its own.

T

track record at Lelli's, Ristorante Di
Maria on Walnut Lake Road,
Local Columnist
Northfield Hilton and the Chrysler
executive dining room ... The first
he saying goes that you see
thing George did when Ariel arrived
one, you've seen them all.
was add a new and colorful decor to
True in many instances,
take the place of Honey Tree's former
but not so with
stark white scenery ...
one member of a group of
Purples, greens, blues and
restaurants bearing the same
reds took over, with new
name.
booths, tables, etc.
The Honey Tree on
And then came a broiler ...
Orchard Lake Road, south of
Something Honey Tree had
14 Mile Road in Farmington
never had ... and what
Hills, has Grecian specialties
George and Ariel needed,
like the others ... but with a
among other things, in their
decided added dimension of
cooking presentations.
much more diversity not seen
DAN NY
There's now fresh broiled
elsewhere on a Honey Tree
RAS KIN
whitefish
every day, sauteed
menu.
Local Columnist
fresh lake perch every Friday
The group of family restau-
and Saturday, chicken
rants is celebrating its 25th
marsala — vegetable-smothered
anniversary this year ... But the
broiled chicken topped with moz-
Farmington Hills location has its own
zarella cheese, shrimp kabob, fettucci-
birthday fete ... one year.
ni Alfredo, chicken and shrimp fettuc-
When George Lucaj became a full
cini,
Hawaiian chicken.
partner with Tom Goulas in the
Behind
the cash register and seating
Farmington Hills location on May 1,
people is George's son, Robert Lucaj,
he had an ambition that wasn't satis-
who is amazed at the food being put
fied until achieving what George felt
was lacking at Tom's
Eastland Mall and Port
Huron Honey Tree opera-
tions.
His craving was to have
a new range of dining in a
place that looked different,
too.
Instead of only a few
omelets for example, there
are now 13 that are served
every day in becoming best
sellers ... Also a strawberry
chicken salad that has
grown very popular.
George used to own a
good dining spot in
Westland, the Cactus
Club... It served a higher
style cuisine to go with its
live entertainment.
He has no entertainment
at the Orchard Lake Road
Honey Tree ... But George
does have Chef Ariel Perez,
whose capabilities in this
type of dining is one of
much experience.
Chef Ariel came on
Ariel Perez and George Lucas of Honey Tree.
boa,rd following a fine

DANNY RASKIN

RESERVATIONS
NOW TAKE w

.

for

NEW YEAR'S EVE

featuring

*

Sonny Turne

THE PLATTERS

G is

AUBURN HILLS

Lars of Auburn Hills, 885 Opdyke
Road,Aubum 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-
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 ptzzas, 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-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 108