MAINSTREETS

Now TakingOrders for your
upcoming occasions 84- holidays!
Order online:
www.alsfamousdeli.eom

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Rated
**Irks
by the
Oakland Press

10 person minimum
expires 12.31.07

248-549-FOOD (3663) • 32906 Woodward Ave.

(1 block south of 14 mile - East side of Woodward)

1310980

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Handmade hoeolateg & onfeetiong

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Former Candy Makers of Sydney Bogg Since 1975

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Boxed Chocolates • Glazed Nuts & Much More
Mint Wafers Customized for Your Special Occasion
Wedding • Bar/Bat Mitzvah • Bris/Baby Naming
Anniversary • Birthday
Batches Made Daily ...
SHIVA
Order by Phone 248-398-7933
TRAYS

1210820

42A

3233 12 Mile, Downtown Berkley
Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm - *Delivery Available

OCTOBER 2007

main

Berkley

I

n our "been there, done that"
world, we always seem to be on
the lookout for the next best:
shop, restaurant, automobile, vaca-
tion locale, hairdresser — anything to
show that we're in the know.
Wanting to be one step ahead of
the rest, we wear this knowledge
like a badge of honor, that all should
defer to us when it comes to planning
shopping excursions or dinner with
friends.
For years, those truly in the know
have bypassed the more familiar
neighborhoods for places off
the beaten path, those formerly
drive-through towns connect-
ing one place to another.
Berkley, hemmed in by Royal
Oak, Southfield, Oak Park and
Huntington Woods, is one such
spot. It's the shy, quiet type to
its more outgoing neighbors.
What's most interesting about
Berkley, though, is that after
many false starts to remake
itself, specifically its two busi-
ness districts (along 12 Mile
and Coolidge), it appears to be
on the verge of being "discov-
ered."
And when it does, good luck
finding a place to park. But in
the meantime, get a good look
now at the places in Berkley
that have people — and you
know who you are — talking.

Acting as anchor to both the 12
Mile and Coolidge commercial strips,
O'Mara's (2555 W. 12 Mile, 248-399-
6750) is Berkley's unofficial welcome
mat, what with its prime corner spot.
And like all good hosts, it promises
boatloads of hospitality and a menu
sure to please everyone in the group.
Live music is also part of O'Mara's
longstanding appeal.
A few blocks west of O'Mara's is
Alex's of Berkley (2685 W. 12 Mile,
248-545-3710), a true neighborhood
haunt if there ever was one. In this
case, though, the neighbors vie for
tables with folks from surrounding
communities who swear by Alex's
fresh-made fare.
And what would any business
district be without a spot — or two
in the case of Berkley — to grab a
pizza? At Amici's Pizza (3249 W. 12
Mile, 248-544-4100), the atmosphere

is as casual, and friendly, as your best
friend's, well, living room. Most likely,
though, your best friend can't make
as fine a pizza pie or soft bread sticks
as Amici's. Seating is limited, so there
might be a wait, but it's definitely
worth the time.
Slightly more dressed up than
Amici's, but every bit as relaxed, is
Sila's (4033 W. 12 Mile, 248-548-3650),
where the extensive menu of tradi-
tional Italian specialties never fails to
satisfy.
The flavors get a little more exotic

at Passage to India (3354 W. 12 Mile,
248-541-2119), and the vest pocket-
sized Nippon Grille (2959 W. 12 Mile,
248-544-6247) for sushi and other
expertly prepared Japanese cuisine.
Of course it's hard to miss the
shocking green facade of the always-
hopping Blarney Stone Pub (27253
Woodward, 248-541-1881) on
Woodward just north of 11 Mile. In
addition to sating the hungry crowds
with traditional bar munchies, sand-
wiches, burgers and ribs, the Blarney
Stone dishes up a big portion of
nostalgia serving the original Susie Q
fish-and-chips dinner.

SHOPPING

ifs home to many storefront
offices and an array of service-type

Because

BERKLEY ON PAGE 44A