MARIO'S
from page 83
Market Bas zet
of Franklin
Unlike most of my friends and the local movie review-
ers, I was proud of how Detroit was represented in the
movie 8 Mile. Not only was it realistic, but also it had
that raw, urban landscape that I grew up with in
Detroit, and that frankly still gives my personality some
of its edge.
So when the movie credits listed that 8 Mile was catered
by Mario's (I always stay for the credits), I reminisced
about the good times and overstuffed feeling I had when
we used to eat there on special family occasions. I knew
that Mario's had also opened a popular suburban location,
but I was determined to find a night that I could revisit the
downtown Mario's of my past.
So, on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving (hard-
ly a night to overeat), I schlepped my family down to
Mario's. Upon entering the front room and bar, I was
struck by the tired, worn feeling of good times gone by. A
few smokers sat at the edge of the bar and the TVs, along
with Christmas decorations, provided flashes of light.
But once seated in the main (of three) dining rooms,
I discovered that the place was hopping and that I actu-
ally knew close to half the crowd.
Families celebrating with their out-of-town relatives
in for the holidays and large groups of (mostly) men on
their way to the hockey
game that night filled
the room. The dress
code ranged from suits
and fur-trimmed
sweaters to Red Wing
jerseys and blue jeans.
But no matter, the
waiters were all wearing
their customary tuxedos
and were in the business
of getting the food out
fast.
When we were seat-
ed, our table was
already crowded with
silver changes and that
memorable antipasto
assortment of salami,
Diners at Mario's in Detroit
mortadella, anchovies,
pepperocini, large celery
stalks and scallions.
Although we told our
waiter we were not in a hurry, our meali continued to
be served quickly. The entrees still include the same host
of sides and our waiter (who had probably been there
forever) had no patience for people who weren't familiar
with the "Mario's way."
When asked if I could have marinara instead of meat
sauce on the customary pasta, I was told, "Don't worry,
I'll ask you later."
The salad was just how I remembered it — bathed in
Mario's classic olive oil dressing. I added the salty
anchovies from the antipasto, mixed them with the hard
boiled eggs and garbanzo beans dotting the otherwise
iceberg lettuce and went to town.
Next (and quickly) came the minestrone. Another
throwback flavor, we enjoyed the overly thick, slightly
gummy soup mostly as a dipping sauce for the crusty
Italian bread.
The assembly line service continued and, as prom-
ised, I got my choice of pasta marinara, Bolognese or
The dress code ranged
from suits and
fur-trimmed sweaters
to Red Wing jerseys
and blue jeans.
even lasagna, a dense layer of noodles and cheese with a
choice of sauces.
Our entrees came soon after, and the filet was not to
disappoint. In fact, the buttery meat with zip sauce was
so tasty that I forgave the overcooked veal marsala with
its coagulated sauce, the soggy cannoli I ordered for
dessert, my 10th grade boyfriend and even the Pope.
And as I looked around at all the men, I noticed that,
like me, they had all finished large portions of meat, had
shiny mouths and were now sitting in a somewhat
reclined position.
When we finished our meal, drank the last of our
thick coffee and waddled to the door, we were reminded
of the ballroom dancing available on Friday and
Saturday evenings. Some of the game goers were using
the free shuttle service to catch rides to Joe Louis. And I
thought that the next time I was coming down to the
theater, symphony or a sporting event, I'd probably
come back to Mario's — maybe even return after the
show for some dancing.
After all, how often do you get to have that proud
Detroit feeling? Or was that feeling just from being
overstuffed with too much food?
P.S. Neither Mario's nor the film distributor could
confirm that they had actually catered the movie 8 Mile.
But no matter, it clearly generated a good idea.
There is also a Café Mario's at 1477 John R. in Troy,
(248) 588-6000.
32654 Franklin Road
in the Village of Franklin
248.626.2583
Fax
248.626.9275
Market Basket's
Village Pizzeria
ii6paemide, gyteutitt fib,
* Traditional Pizza
• Barbeque Chicken
Pizza
• Blue Cheese Pizza
• Shrimp Pizza
• Pesto Pizza
• Artichoke/Sun Dried
Tomato Pizza
• 3 Cheese Pizza
• Greek Pizza
• Goat Cheese
/Eggplant Pizza
• Many More!
Gait Your Ord.trW
30 Minute Pick-up
248.626.2583
title/ Gaterfirtifh,
cua
flutie
"Through Our Doors
Come Only the Finest"
671700
1/10
2003
85