The Best Of Everything

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Celebrity Showroom

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SMOTHERS .

March 9
With their witty brand
of comedy and
musical genius.

BEATLEMAN1A

March 16 & 17 sz

A tribute to the fab four.
You'll swear John, Paul,
Ringo & George are stand-
ing before your very eyes

THE

v ik April 27 & 28
show of greatness with
the wonderful talents of
an American favorite.

rrAtA

'elebrity Showroom

7096 East Fourteen Mile Road

2/16
2001

84

(Between Mound &Van Dyke)

ID

(810) 268-3200 •

Super Mario's

Second Avenue was first,
but Mario's of Troys a joy.

n

DANNY RASKIN
Local Columnist

how his tradition was coming along ...
and "to see what Vince has done" ...
He looked around ... and then, with
ere's the case where a leg-
his girlfriend, had hiS usual sirloin for
end keeps growing in
two tableside.
more ways than one.
Mario Lelli is in his late 80s and,
Instead of resting on
says owner Vince Passalacqua, "lost a
the 53-year laurels that have
lot of weight and looks
been achieved by continuance
great."
of a great name in Italian din-
The menu at Mario's of
ing, Mario's opted to open a
Troy may be about the same
second place.
as on Second in Detroit ...
Mario's of Troy opened May
but its prices are about 20
13, 2000 ... just off the south-
percent less.
west corner of John R and
A 7-ounce fillet at Mario's
Maple ... a mile from
of Troy is $20 and on Second
Oakland Mall and three miles
in Detroit it's $24 ... 9-ounce,
DAN NY
from the Somerset Collection
$22 ($27) and extra-cut 11
RASKI N
... with seating for 120 in the
Local Colu mnist ounces, $24 ($29).
main dining room ... 40 in a
14-ounce sirloin entree in
lounge terrace and 25 at the
Troy is $20 ... and $24.95 in
bar.
Detroit ... Extra-cut 16 ounces, $22
This was the former Capraro's
($29).
Italian Den ... whose dinginess ha
The veal dishes, for which Mario's is
been transformed into a smaller
well noted, sell for about $21 or $22
Mario's with a soft brighter look ...
on Second ... At Mario's of Troy, nine
and the serving of an exact same menu
of the 11 selections are $17.95.
and food preparation as its sister
Vince says that in Troy, he serves 20
restaurant in Detroit.
percent more pasta than in Detroit ... •
Unlike the Detroit
location, Mario's of
Troy's bar-lounge is
separated from a main
dining room by dark
brown valances and
red leather booths ...
The dining room has
red walls on the lower
portion, six alcove
booths on the sides,
tables in the middle,
an iron trellis-like look
on an upper level for
dining, white linen
tablecloths and nap-
kins ... and dancing,
too, on Thursday,
Friday and Saturday
evenings ... etc.
In both sectors are
white linen tablecloths
and white linen nap-
kins ... and waitper-
sons are in tuxedo
garb.
Mario Lelli, founder
of Mario's, came in
about five months
after opening to see
Vince Passalacqua of Mario's of Troy

.

D)

12T'ffiig

AUBURN HILLS

Lelli'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 sur-
roundings, it features the same excel-
lent food served by the Lelli family
since 1939. Reservations are accepted
for any evening except Saturday.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Steve's Deli, 6646 Telegraph Road,
Bloomfield Hills, (248) 932-0800.
Award-winning chicken soup is fea-
tured.Also serving corned beef, fresh
roasted turkey, sandwiches, salads and
traditional dishes. Party trays and
catering too at this NevvYork-style
deli. Carnegie Deli cheesecake and
Steve's Brownies are among the
desserts.

FARMINGTON HILLS

Bangkok Sala, 27903 Orchard
Lake Rd., Farmington Hills, (248)
553-4220. Noted for making its
own traditional Thai cookies and
own style of fried rice, it is a consis-
tent restaurant with exclusive Thai
specialties among the authentic
servings.

Brasse Pointe, 24234 Orchard
Lake Road, Farmington Hills, (248)
476-1377. Noted for its broasted
and barbecued chicken, plus St. Louis
ribs. Open seven days. Wine list by
the glass, carafe or bottle. Private
banquet room. Also Mexican and
seafood specialties in a family dining
atmosphere. Homemade chili, cote
slaw, shrimp cooktail sauce, pinto
beans and bleu cheese.

Desert Sands, 29222 Orchard Lake
Road, Farmington Hills, (248) 855-
1122. Middle-Eastern dining is fea-
tured by Hassan Bazzi, former maitre
d' at the Original Sheik in downtown
Detroit. Daily specials at lunch and
dinner. Full menu carryout with cater-
ing available. Complete liquor service.

Hong Hua, 27925 Orchard Lake

Rd., Farmington Hills, (248) 489-
2280.True Hong Kong autenticity is
in the dishes not seen anywhere
else.A bit more expensive than
other Chinese restaurants, but a lot
of value that makes the price differ-
ence worth it with exciting prepara-
tions of rare dishes and many not
seen elsewhere.

DINING GUIDE on page 88