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 0 0 3 - 2 0 0 4 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