Arts & Entertainment
THE BEST Or
ERYTHING
2 Pesos, Plain
Eating deli-style on the Mexican Riviera.
G
oing into the restaurant business
never once entered his mind ...
Decision time was coming as to
whether or not to attend law school and
David Greenberg needed to make up his
mind before law classes would start that
year.
This was back in January 1992 ... and
after going to Cabo San Lucas to relax and
think hard, he came to the conclusion not
to pursue a law career ... In fact, he never
did leave Cabo San Lucas and ultimately
met a semi-retired couple who wanted to
open a restaurant ... The thought of being
in the restaurant game was intriguing to
David, especially after conceiving the idea of
a dining spot with a Mexicatessen concept.
The first restaurant in Cabo's Plaza
Puerto Nautica, has since closed ... but a
second one opened the same year in Plaza
Puerto Paraiso, and a third in Plaza Gali
... Another is slated to open in January
in Plaza Cabo San Lucas ... The original
Mexicatessen concept was combining a
conventional New York-style deli with
upscale Mexican dining ... That has
changed over the years and, based on
customer preferences, leans much more
toward the best of traditional Mexican
favorites combined with deli options.
The restaurants are each called Senor
Greenberg's Restaurant, with all three
having the same identical menus ... and
open 24 hours ... David's father, Ron
Greenberg, and mother, Hedy Cohen, are
both former Detroiters, attending Central
High and graduating from University of
Michigan ... David's grandparents were
Detroiters Esther and Joe Cohen ... None
of the four were in the delicates-
Casino and Resort in
sen or restaurant business.
Cabazon, about 15 Miles out-
From 1992 until David and
side of Palm Springs, play-
his partner opened that first
ground of the stars, might
Mexicatessen in 1997, he man-
have as many or more slot
aged another restaurant and bar,
machines than some spots
the Giggling Marlin, in Cabo
in Las Vegas and is now also
San Lucas and worked as a
the first place that Hannah,
U.S. State Department consular
who just turned 18, got her
Danny Raskin
agent ... What is David's favor-
Senior Columnist Casino taste ... One of its
ite food? ... He is constantly
four sit-down restaurants,
surrounded by many inviting
Desert Orchid, among about
Mexican and deli selections, but his deli-
eight others in Morongo's food court,
catessen preference still remains the good
serves Asian cuisine I've not seen at too
ol' hot pastrami sandwich on rye served
many places.
with potato salad ... and on the Mexican
Visiting California restaurants was
side, David's pet dish is the spicy chipotle
again an enjoyable experience ... But
chicken sandwich, with his beef tacos a
none could compare with daughter-in-
close second.
law Bonnie's Thanksgiving dinner, even
The first port stop on my recent
though barrister Jeff Metzger wasn't on
Mexican Riviera cruise was Cabo San
hand to make his traditional Caesar salad
Lucas, and it was a must that I visit the
for everyone ... being in Arizona with
place that I saw on a 2001 journey there
wife Lisa's family and, of course, also
with the sign, "Greenberg's Mexicatessen"
attending the Arizona vs. USC football
... But when I asked a Cabo native if he
game ... Good thing there wasn't a Bruce
knew where Greenberg's Delicatessen was, Springsteen concert around... Jeff is one
he didn't, until I continued that David
of those fan-atics who follow Springsteen
owned a restaurant there ... "Oh, you
everywhere around the country.
mean Senor Greenberg's restaurant!" ...
MAKING CALIFORNIA restaurant
Eleven years since David opened that first
rounds ... To Canyon Fireside Grill in
restaurant in 1997, and soon there will be
Rancho Santa Margarita for maple-glazed
three ... all continuously hosting numer-
salmon ... To Peppina's in Lake Forest
ous celebrities from the worlds of sports,
for linguine with diced jumbo shrimps
show business, film, etc., as well as Joes
and baby clams ... To Ruby's in Laguna
and Janes from corners far and wide.
Beach for the 1950s-like malts and turkey
After other Mexican Riviera ports
burger sliders ... To Wan Fu in Santa
visited, it was on to California to spend
Margarita, for chicken lettuce wraps and
the second week with son Scott, Bonnie,
Mongolian beef ... To Ichibiri Japanese
Hannah and Matt ... The large Morongo
Steak House in Laguna Niguel, for tep-
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MONDAY
TUESDAY
Pancakes
Free
Fruit
Blintz
Fruit Topping
99c extra
with purchase
of 2 entrees
Not goad with any other offer
Expires 1/15/08
Not good with any other otter
Expires 1/15/08
990
Half Order
.1L
6339 Orchard Lake Rd.
next to Tappers
West Bloomfield in Orchard Mall
248-539-4710
Open Daily 7am - 3pm
WEDNESDAY
Kids Eat
for
990
with purchase
of adult meal.
2 kids per adult
Not good with any other offer
Expires 1/15/08
panyaki steak, shrimp and chicken combo
... To Oprah in Irvine, for a broiled
whitefish classic ... To Hanna's in Rancho
Santa Margarita, for Chilean sea bass and
to see the napkins with a button hole in
one corner to attach, if needed, and pro-
tect the diners' fronts.
CALIFORNIA IS BIG on single din-
ers, whose welcomed acceptance around
the country has come a long way ... Time
was when many restaurant owners used
to shudder at the sight of a lone diner, and
thankfully they are today very much in the
minority ... Those in this small number
will be wise to get smart and face up to
the fact that single dining is here to stay
and no longer something to be treated as a
dark ages chill.
ANOTHER FINE vocalist takes over
with Royce Javan leaving to go out on
his own ... Band leader Simone Vitale,
says his new lead male vocalist, Tracey
Triplet, is "Spectacular!" ... He has also
added another female songstress, with
Melody Fergan making it four warbling
gals ... Simone and his 14-piece group
will do their usual excellent job playing at
Andiamo Italia, 14 Mile between Mound
and Van Dyke, Warren, for its New Year's
Eve fun night ... This is a good buy that
I know will appeal to a lot of people ...
$100 per person includes five-course filet
dinner plus hors d'oeuvres station, open
bar, dancing, entertainment, midnight
champagne toast, pizza and hot dogs at 1
a.m., hats, party accessories, etc. El
Danny's e-mail address is
dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.
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THURSDAY
11
11
11
11
Free Soft
Drink or
Coffee
with
purchase
of meal
Not good with any other offer
Expires 1/15/08
JL
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oltiLlatiTG
t4- 1A.U0Holida Caterin
6646 Telegraph at Maple • Bloomfield Plaza • 248.93241800
December 13 0 2007
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