READERS'CHOICES
MIDDLE EASTERN
tea beverages, including their own patented
Frappuccino blended beverages. Starbucks coffee
is available in many retails stores and restau-
rants.
Claim to Fame: Starbucks was named one of the
100 best places to work by Fortune Magazine.
Other Choices: Dunkin' Donuts, Caribou Coffee
La Shish
Various metro Detroit locations
"I crave their fattoush salad with feta
cheese. We like the atmosphere and
they don't look down on us when we
bring our children there. They have so
many locations."
Linda Taylor, Royal Oak
FAMILY DINING
La Shish operates 11 restaurants throughout
metro Detroit, with plans to expand to Ann Arbor
and Lansing. Westland recently became the first
La Shish with drive-through service. The menu
was expanded to include delicacies like grilled
Cornish hen and hummus with salmon or white-
fish. Most locations offer live Middle Eastern
music Thursday through Sunday nights.
Claims To Fame: Lamb chops and hummus
Other Choices: The Sheik, Phoenicia, Pita Café,
Al-Oumara
PIZZA
Buddy's Pizza
Various metro Detroit locations
"We like that we can choose from so
many toppings, and the pizza always
is piping hot when it comes to the
table."
Elaine Rosenblatt,
Farmington Hills
Established as a "blind pig" and later a neighbor-
hood tavern at the corner of Conant and Six Mile
Road in Detroit, Buddy's was already 10 years old
when August "Gus" Guerra introduced his signa-
ture deep-dish square pizza in 1946. The latest
owner is Robert Jacobs, who operates nine
Buddy's locations throughout metropolitan Detroit.
Half-baked pizza is available to take home.
Claim To Fame: Deep-dish square pizza
Other Choices: Tomatoes A Pizza, Pizza Papalis,
Como's Restaurant & Pizzeria
ITALIAN
Andiamo
Various metro Detroit locations
(586) 268-3200
"The food is consistently good.
Andiamo Italia West [Telegraph Road
at Maple in Bloomfield Township] is a
great location with a great environ-
ment for patrons. The ravioli is true
Italian."
— Joey Niskar, West Bloomfield
The Andiamo restaurants, under CEO Joe Vicari,
offer an eclectic array of authentic Italian dishes,
from antipasti through desserts. At Andiamo Italia
West, opened six years ago, favorite entrees
include Chilean sea bass and beef tenderloin. Co-
owners Jerry and Tom Vitale are remodeling to
bring in stained glass and new lighting.
Claims To Fame: Quality beef, Hawaiian
seafood, truffle items, signature sauces
Other Choices: Larco's, Sposita, II Posto, Maria's
Front Room
SPECIALTY DINING
ROMANTIC
Café Cortina
Farmington Hills
(248) 474-3033
"We always enjoy our dinners at this
fine restaurant. The wait staff is very
accommodating and extremely pleas-
ant. The owners are always there and
that makes a difference."
Janis Holcman, Farmington Hills
Shades of russet and honey and a centerpiece
hearth invite guests to linger at Café Cortina. In
this elegant, intimate spot, owners Rina Tonon
and her son, Adrian, offer upscale, creative Italian
fare. It utilizes their homegrown herbs and veg-
etables. Café Cortina was built in a former apple
orchard east of Orchard Lake Road on 10 Mile
Road.
Claim To Fame: Osso buco, wonderful ambience
Other Choices: The Lark, Morels: A Michigan
Bistro
STEAK
The Capital Grille
Troy
(248) 649-5300
"The Capital Grille is my favorite
1 4 • SOURCEBOOK 2
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BURGER
Red Coat Tavern
Royal Oak
(248) 549-0300
"My wife and I have been going there
off and on for 30 years. It's family
the Cheers of Royal Oak. And the
onion rings are fabulous."
— Terry Katz, West Bloomfield
place to entertain guests. The food is
wonderful, and it's a fun place to be. I
love their roasted chicken."
Shelly Rubenstein, Lathrup Village
This classic, New York-style steakhouse, one of
16 around the country, is situated between the
Marshall Field and Nordstrom's stores at the
Somerset Collection North. The Capital Grille
offers notable beef and fresh seafood in a casual
yet elegant atmosphere. Diners find the side plat-
ters are large enough to share. The service is
friendly and solicitous.
Claims To Fame: Aged dry beef, award-winning
wine list, house-made desserts
Other Choices: Outback Steakhouse, Ruth's Chris
Steakhouse, Lelli's, Morton's of Chicago, The Palm
Restaurant
COFFEE
Starbucks
Various locations throughout the United
States and overseas
"I like strong coffee, and Starbucks is
always consistent. My favorite drink
there is the Americano, hot water with
three shots of espresso."
Josh Charlip, West Bloomfield
Starbucks is a chain of coffeehouses with loca-
tions throughout the United States and overseas.
The stores specialize in coffee made from
Starbucks' own fresh whole beans. They offer
pastries and a variety of hot and cold coffee and
A landmark for 30 years on Woodward Avenue,
the Red Coat Tavern is comfortable in its consis-
tency. Mark Brown's dimly lit hideaway is known
for its pub food as well as changing gourmet spe-
cials. The half-pound burgers may be ordered with
the special Red Coat sauce. There's also the
Piedmontese beef burger, a low-fat alternative.
Claims To Fame: Burgers, New England clam
chowder
Other Choices: Beau Jack's, Fuddruckers, Hunter
House
ICE CREAM
Dairy Queen
Various metro locations
"My husband, Rick, has a Dairy Queen
fetish. I get a lot of pleasure watching
him eat one. Dairy Queen reminds
him of his childhood."
— Irene Soble,
Bloomfield Township
Cooling off with a treat at the Dairy Queen (DQ) is
a worldwide phenomenon, with more than 5,200
DO locations in the United States, Canada and 22
other countries. DQ started in 1940 in Joliet, Ill.,
and most restaurants are independently owned
and operated franchises.
Claims To Fame: Blizzard Treat — Oreo is the
No. 1 flavor — and dipped cones
Other Choices: Yoz, Baskin-Robbins, Goldstone
Creamery, Ray's, Kilwin's
READERS' CHOICE on page 16