RESOLUTION *1 .,. fiV FVFP H N G See Go East! For fine Italian dining, take a ride to Mezzaluna. T destination dining restaurants. here are numerous reasons for rolling out THE CLOSING OF Grill 173 on NiVoodward, the or gas buggy and taking a ride to Royal Oak, after only one year, brings to a restaurants like this. close another kosher full-service sit-down The food ranks among the finest Italian in restaurant in this region... Someone someday Michigan ... High standard service by nattily will find the right formula, as they did years dressed waitpersons ... Warm elegant ambience ... ago, and remain open. etc. THE NEWLY OPENED Taez Lounge that We had driven out to hear Sam Locricchio and recently unbolted the locks at the many-times Sandra Mandella in the lounge bar on this Friday locale of local eateries, Orchard Lake Road and evening and received an additional pleasantness Danny Raskin Pontiac Trail, Orchard Lake Village, is a limit- in the dining room of Mezzaluna Ristorante on Senior Columnist ed-menu sports bar. Metro Parkway (16 Mile Road), between Mound SPEAKING OF SPORTS bars, latest word is and Van Dyke in Sterling Heights ... Our dinner that the constantly changing operations site on Orchard turned out to be a major reason why folks from all points Lake Road, between 13 and 14 Mile, Farmington Hills, will of Metro Detroit are regular visitors. also become one. The 160-seater co-owned by Zharkov and Dina Palushaj, NO MORE WORRYING what to do with all the guys celebrated its five-year anniversary on New Year's Eve ... and gals who come to have fun at his place ... More room with a lot of hoopla by attendees for both occasions ... also to do what he has wanted for years ... Now Marvin Zharkov was a top server at New York's Valbella Yagoda at Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum, Restaurant, where entertainment bigs like Robert Redford, Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, can concentrate Mariah Carey, Regis Philbin, etc., came often ... He later more on those kid parties without fretting where to put all was the working partner at Pagliaci in Yonkers, N.Y.... the youngsters five years and up ... New machines, too; Ski Zharkov's partner at Mezzaluna, Nick Gojcaj, owned the Ball, basketball, baseball, etc., with the youngies getting movie star "hangout" Ferrante, where Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro were patrons ... and Joe Pesci was its maitre tickets that come out of the machines and are redeemed for prizes at a separate counter filled with the amusement d' ... Pacino was best man at the marriage of Zharkov's sis- stuff. ter Valentina, to Luke Gojcaj, son of his partner. THIRD ANNUAL all-you-can-eat kosher Peking Kafe by Another in the many small world examples is songster caterer Jeffrey Rosenberg, Thursday, Jan. 26, at Adat Sam Locricchio seeing Zharkov's brother, Tom Palushaj, Shalom Synagogue on Middlebelt, Farmington Hills, will often these days ... Tom was Sam's landlord when Sam have limited attendance only ... 625 the first year was too owned Arriva Restaurant on 12 Mile in Warren. crowded and 425 just right the second year, so that'll be Executive Chef Mike Lekocas, one of those types whose the top line ... Adults $20; under 12, $10; 3 and under no innovative ways with food preparations are noted stand- charge ... Reservations (248) 626-5702; walk-ins accepted. outs, came here from New York to help open Mezzaluna HAIR STYLIST Terry Shovan, at Clipper's Salon, owned and has never left. by Hershal Gross in Southfield's Applegate Square, remem- Our server, well-groomed and highly efficient Arben Gjeka, exemplified what has become a lost art in serving ... bers when he was also specializing in men's shag cuts and long-hair styling while at the former Charterhouse Barbers from the back and side ... He brought me a delicate sea ... One of his youthful customers who always loved the bass that veritably melted in the mouth, topped with truf- long hair look came back and wanted to have it cut ... fles on a bed of spinach and champagne sauce ... The Terry tells Hershal that he couldn't believe his ears until homemade ravioli wrapped around chopped meat and the lad told him about his girlfriend saying "Daddy doesn't porcini mushrooms came in an extremely tasty truffle mind our being alone every night. He thinks you're a girl." sauce. IT ISN'T FAIR, say folks like Phyllis Tyner, who have He is also from New York, serving at the Da-Mario played golf umpteen years and are still looking for their Restaurant on First and 60th ... and the former Adam's first hole-in-one ... Local snowbird to Boynton Beach, Fla., Apple that is still open as Decade on 59th and First. Bob Feldman recently hit his 38th ace since 1952 on the Comfortable and warm IvIezzaluna, with its white linen 182-yard, 13th hole at the Turnberry Isle Resort. napkins, while linen tablecloths over burgundy linen, crys- CONGRATS ... to Helene and Mert Robbins on their tal chandelier, tables, side booths, etc., is open 7 days ... 47th anniversary ... To Anita and Alan Resnick on their Monday-Thursday, 11-10; Friday, 11-11; Saturday, 4-11; third anniversary and Alan on his birthday ... To Julie Sunday, 1-9 ... The lounge stays open later every day. Backalar on her 40th birthday ... To Alan Hitsky on his Prices at Mezzaluna are also quite reasonable ... with 60th birthday. Chef Lekocas highly adept at preparations like chicken MAIL DEPT.... "Just picked up a wonderful six-pack of dishes, $16 and $17; veal, $19 and $21; 14 oz. New York beer at Hiller's this morning. HE'BREW, the Chosen Beer. strip steak char-grilled or lightly breaded Siciliano, is $23; 8 oz. filet char-grilled with zip sauce and mushroom cap or Don't you just love it?" ... Bob Moreillon. lightly-breaded, $27; fish and seafood like salmon, sword- fish, shrimp, scallops, etc., run from $17 for salmon to $23 Danny's e-mail address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net . for center cut swordfish. This eastside dining sleeper is certainly an epitome in ❑ MORE THEATRE • Laughter will fill the theatre ... a musical comedy I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE Jan. 13 - Feb. 5,'06 A toe-tapping score in a musical spoof ZOMBIES FROM THE BEYOND Feb. 24 - March 12, '06 An award-winning musical score RAGTIME May 26 - June 18,'06 Tickets $14 - $18 RAO, Winner of 2000 Pulitzer for Drama WITH FRIENDS DINNER March 31 - Apr. 16, '06 Based on Carol Burnett's memoirs HOLLYWOOD ARMS Apr. 28 - May 7, '06 Tickets S12 - S16 248-541-6430 crafters YEARS OF THEATRE 415 S. Lafayette Ave. Royal Oak, MI 48067 A// Seats Reserve() 0:sa & MasterCaro'Acceptea www.stagecrafters.org January 5 • 2006 57