Arts & Entertainment —iw- THE BEST OF EVERYTHING A Thing Of Beauty Friedmans have journeyed from downtrodden USSR to exotic palace of pampering. E aromatherapy steam The years rolled by, and rooms, specialty foot Tamara continued to build treatments, licensed a lavish reputation with medical doctors to international awards to fill offer non-invasive her walls ... Tamara Spa, treatments, etc. recently renamed Tamara Dreams years ago Spa + Wellness, outlasting behind the Soviet them all. Union's Iron Curtain No more painting for Danny Raskin were many in the Eugene ... Today, they are Senior Columnist dark days of no free- together in a world-class dom or privilege ... Tamara and operation amid the glamorous Eugene can never forget having to setting of their newly remodeled share one outhouse with 50 other bigger-than-ever home away from people, their one room "house" for home ... Out of that little 600- eating and sleeping . or the ter- square-foot operation has come rible anti-Semitism they faced with the greatest testimonial to a hard- regularity ... or the thrill -of finally work endeavor that today stands as the massive 10,000-square-foot, being allowed to leave with their 4-year-old twin daughters, Edita renovated and expanded Tamara's and Gaby. Spa + Wellness in the Courtyard "We had no idea of theinfinite Plaza on Northwestern Highway between Middlebelt and 14 Mile in opportunities living in a free country would bring' recalls Farmington Hills. Tamara ... "Within the first three Not in their wildest dreams did or four months, we saved enough Tamara or Eugene ever envision money to buy a beat-up old Chevy that one day they would own their Chevette, but I felt like a movie star own building, let alone a large magnificent spa that would include driving it. In Russia we were not allowed such luxuries. a beautiful water journey room As Tamara and Eugene look designed for complete relaxation around their new-look Tamara Spa with its elegant water passage, or + Wellness ... and what to them 52 rooms filled with wellness fea- has to be a modern miracle, they tures including the incorporation can only shake their heads and of a new emphasis on hydrothera- count their blessings ... Tamara py ... plus rooms for customized and Eugene may not have opened whirlpool treatments, wet rooms that restaurant of yesterday's with Jacuzzi and sauna, private dreams, but the two life partners makeup room, spa boutique, ven many experienced professional chefs would be hard-pressed to pre- pare salmon eight different ways ... So when an amateur chef has that culinary talent, together with preparations that also focus on healthy cooking, the wonder is why he or she isn't doing it on a money- paying basis. The truth is that it has really been a secret ambition of Eugene Friedman along with wife, Tamara, of someday opening a restaurant serving food that they couldn't buy in the Soviet Union ... like salmon or shrimp or half of the things that can be prepared here. But fate deemed another direc- tion for them when the Friedmans left Lvov, in what is now Ukraine, to come to the United States in 1974 with a borrowed $200 in their pockets ... They needed immedi- ate money and continued their trades, he a house painter and she a cosmetician. Then came 1980 ... not to open a restaurant, but for Tamara Friedman to go into her own busi- ness ... Eugene kept doing his independent house painting while she opened a little 600-square- foot beauty spa at the Claymore Apartments in Southfield ... a little pea in a big pod, competing against biggies like Kitty Wagner, Mira Linder, Bloomies, Capelli's, etc. .54erize Eg000t are servicing many women today with outer health beauty that more than satisfies their inner souls. AFTER MANY years in the restaurant business, Rick Halberg (R.I.K.'s, Emily's, Tutto Bene) has taken a new route with his fine culinary knowledge ... He's now the Director of Culinary Services for Hiller's Markets ... Rick reviews all its food activities like prepared foods, catering, wines, cheeses and whatever relates to the world of gastronomic delight. A MEXICAN RESTAURANT with barbecued small lamb ribs? ... Why not? ... Many ethnic restaurants today that don't deviate their menu to accom- modate the varied tastes of custom- ers are finding it rough out there ... The tender and succulent lamb ribs at Ole Ole on 14 Mile and East Lake Road, Novi, across the street from Walled Lake Road, are going over big ... And didn't Caesar Salad originate in Tijuana, Mexico? "Bob and MAIL DEPT. I just love the food and service at Commerce Grille. It is one of our favorite restaurants. The food is always fresh and everybody is so pleasant. And the dinner music, too, is so good. We can't find too many places anymore with dinner music" ... Marilyn Tringali. PROUD MOM AND POP are Shirlee and Jack Iden Alhambra, owned by their Israeli ... daughter, Tzviah Idan, was cho- sen show champion at the first Egyptian Event Show held in Israel ... Also, at the recent national Arabian Horse Show in Israel, her mare, Sof Sof, was a winner. Shirlee and Jack still remember when he bought a small farm in Ann Arbor for Tzviah and she bred her first horses there ... Tzviah is now a pedigree expert, doing business around the world, buying, selling, breeding, etc. Her 23-horse farm is on a moshav in the Jezreel Valley ... During the recent 30 days of war, the constant day and night- sounds of the Israeli Air Force caused one of her mares to deliver a month early. Tzviah has been in love with horses since age two, and is now living her dream. KIDDIE KORNER ... "I was a substitute teacher recently at Wood Creek Elementary School in Farmington Hills and asked my first grade class if anyone knew who Christopher Columbus was. A little girl raised her hand and said, `He doesn't go to this school any- more!" ... Paulette Koffron. CONGRATS To Gary Young on his birthday ... To Marilyn Tringali on her birthday. To GET WELL WISHES Cathy Ciccone. ... ... Danny's e-mail address is dannyraskin@sbcgiobal.net. Last Minute Thanksgiving Dinners CiriVee or Jewish Cuisine Complete with all the trimmings: • Whole Kosher Turkey • Challah Stuffing • Sweet Potatoes • Green Bean Casserole • Salad • Cranberry relish • Free Apple or Pumpkin pie with all dinners (10 or more) • Pick up on morning of Thanksgiving Order our award-winning dairy, salad & fish trays 32418 Northwestern Hwy., between 14 & Middlebelt • 248.855.9463 IP( Bridal Trunk Shows Toni Federici November 3-5 Justine McCaffrey November 10-12 \Natters & Watters November 17-19 Anne Barge November 24-26 3, ■ Traditional Floor Sitting Rooms Available Receive 10% off your bridal purchase during our Trunk Shows. * ( IC CYS BRIDAL SALON ■ BBQ Grill on the Table ■ Best Sushi Bar in Town Appointments are recommended. Call 248-816-4270 to schedule your consultation. The Bridal Salon at Somerset 2750 West B.g Beaver Road, I st floor Troy, Ml .18084 248406-4270 ' L 10% off TOTAL your food bill ANY TIME . expires 11130106 Dine in only Not good reds any other offer Ne,w Seoul. Garden Authentic Korean & Japanese Cuisine Phone (248) 827-1600 1180120 E www.newseoulgarden.com newseoukehotmail.com Open Daily j1141 Catering Available 27566 Northwestern Hwy. November 16 a2006 47