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What's In A Name?

O'Brien's in Auburn Hills continues to please.

Plenty of fish dishes, including a couple of new additions, Pecan Encrusted
fter opening its doors 15 years ago this past December, the name
Tilapia
with a highly delightful honey mustard drizzle $19, and Perch Piccata,
soon became synonymous with the good style of food not seen
$18
...
Standbys
like whitefish, tuna, grouper, salmon, halibut, sea bass, etc.,
very much locally.
continue
as
big
favorites
... If flounder stuffed with crab imperial and topped
The name enjoyed a 13-year run until two years ago when it was short-
with
a
lobster
cream
sauce,
is available, you may not want to miss it, S22.
ened ... And it's continued success is proof that a restaurant's name is only
Steaks
and
pasta?
...
Of
course
... A seafood restaurant without these alterna-
as good as its reputation.
tives
turns
away
a
lot
of
business.
This, the formerly named Fran O'Brien's Maryland Crabhouse, shortened
O'Brien's Crabhouse, five minutes from the Palace of Auburn Hills, is a high-
to O'Brien's Crabhouse, had indeed earned as it served classic seafood that
ly
popular destination restaurant serving the kind of specialty seafood people
aficionados came to respect for its tasty selections ... It is a rarity, too, being
are
looking for ... in a much-desired informal atmosphere.
one of few like it in this region.
WITH
HIS WEST Bloomfield restaurant in Sugar Tree, Orchard Lake Road,
Danny
Raskin
With the name change came a realization that the only alteration was the
changed
to
a Greek restaurant, to mind comes a remark Angelo Georgizas
Senior
Columnist
sign outside and nothing else ... It is still in its same location in the Auburn
made
while
general manager at Big Daddy's during its later years ..."I've got
Hills strip shopping center on Opdyke between South Blvd. and Auburn in
my
own
ideas
about how to run a good Greek restaurant" ... Those who heard
Auburn Hills ... And continues to soothe many palates with its seafarin' offer-
the
owner
of
his
newly
named
Angelo's Greek Restaurant, have eagle eyes out to see
ings.
what
those
ideas
are
now
that
he
has one himself.
Seating is still limited to 92 ... The authentic nautical artifacts continue to adorn the
IT'S
GETTING
TO
be
known
as
the "Challah Headquarters of Michigan" ... selling
interior surroundings in graceful taste ... Coral-covered pins that held Spanish ships of
more
than
2,000
loaves
each
week
...
but if folks want to brag while cutting the challah at
yesteryears together, cannonballs dating back to the 1700s, tugboat rope, deep water
a
bar
mitzvah
or
wedding,
they
can
say,
"I made it myself!"
lobster traps, interesting items brought up from diving expeditions in the Florida Keys,
Dakota
Bread
on
West
Bloomfield's
Boardwalk,
Orchard Lake Road and 15 Mile, is one
stuffed barracuda, shark, etc.
of
the
very
few
bakeries
where
you
can
"be
your
own
baker" by making the challah
It is also the only place around that can boast 10 different kinds of crab preparations
yourself,
with
help
by
its
owners,
Tom
and
Jennifer
Wilson.
... One them, Crab Imperial, is made from 100 percent back fin lump ... The excellent
And if you come up with a concoction during the middle of the night, Tom and
delicacy, Maryland Blue Crabs, not seen on too many menus, come directly from
Jennifer
will mix those ingredients and bake the challah for you.
Chesapeake Bay ... All are from Chesapeake Bay and areas along the Eastern coast ...
Not
that
they don't have oodles of blends themselves, all made with Dakota's excellent
Snow crabs, in season Oct. 15-April 15, are served fresh during this time and then
honey
addition
... Cinnamon swirl, cinnamon raisin walnut, cherry walnut, cheddar-
frozen in other days of the year ... King crab, Dungeness, and soft-shell crabs, in season
parmesan,
apricot
oak, cranberry pecan, etc.... In fact, Tom and Jennifer will mix just
May and June, are also frozen and served all year.
about
anything
people
want in their challah ... including, of course, the traditional one
O'Brien's Ipswich Clams that cannot be gotten anywhere else in this region, are whole
that
will
always
be
Dakota's
best seller.
clams fried and served as prepared in Boston, where Ipswich popularity is endless.
CONGRATS
...
To
former
Detroiters Marvin and David Leader, celebrating their 80th
Most of the items at O'Brien's Crabhouse, are in season all year ... One of them, the
twin
birthdays
in
Boca
Raton,
Fla.... David lives in Boca and Marvin in Fountain Hills,
spicy Maryland special crab soup, is in a class all its own, loaded with crab and vegeta-
Ariz....
To
Howard
and
Terri
Dembs
on their 25th anniversary, celebrated with table for
bles, $4 ... One of the best sellers, usually available on weekends, is the bucket filled with
.
s
in
West
Bloomfield
...
To former localites Harold "Huck" and Ethel Bobroff
six
at
Sposita'
a steamed lobster, black and green mussels and steamed clams, $29.
in
Adventura,
Fla.,
on
their
62nd
anniversary
... To Maxine Gold in California on her
The knowledgeable and efficient waitpersons at O'Brien's are headed - by Jennifer
birthday
...
To
Karen
Lee
on
her
birthday.
Dunsky, who with hubby-owner, Dan Dunsky, son of Harriet and Bob Dunsky, will cele-
DETROITER REUNION of south Florida snowbirds and year-round residents, is 6
brate their own fifth anniversary together this July.
p.m.
Monday, Feb. 20, at Macaroni Grill, Boynton Beach ... $25 per person ... For more
O'Brien's is open seven days a week ... Monday through Friday, 11-10; Saturday, 3-11;
info,
or reservation, call Sally Cohen's cell, (954) 599-7755, or e-mail sallycohen@bell-
Sunday, 4-9 ...A large warm bialy from Detroit Bagel is still served when customers are
no later than Feb. 6. ❑
south.net
seated ... and meals come with soup or salad, redskin potatoes and vegetable or a deli-
cious tole slaw.
Danny's e-mail address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.

A

SHANGRI-LA

■ ••70ii

"Integrity and freshness are keywords at Shangri-La.
Shangri-La has turned curiosity into regular visits."
— Danny Raskin, The Jewish News

4

ic arnii4 restaurant

•Broiled Grouper •Stuffed Salmon
•Whitefish Almondine

•Stuffed Cantaloupe with Chicken or Tuna

(248) 626-8585

6407 Orchard Lake Road • West Bloomfield, MI 48322

(15 Mile & Orchard Lake Rd.)

52

February 2 •2006

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D i Are

Authentic Chinese Cuisine

net ' S pe •ah
I nCI tide: Ci

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salad

bessert

Breakfast Specials
7 days a week

New Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 7-9 • Friday & Saturday: 7-10
29221 Northwestern Hwy. • Southfield, MI 48034

248-358-2353

072030