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South Of The Border

Camelia's does Mexico proud with classic, authentic cuisine.

Camelia's own ingredients
110, with another four stools
C ailing a restaurant dish or recipe
and grilled with green pep-
at
a
cute
full-service
bar,
plus
authentic usually means it is
pers
and onions.
another
30
in
a
private
Fiesta
something that has been tra-
The
Mexican together-
Room
for
small
parties
...
The
ditionally prepared in other countries
ness
at
Camelia's is furthered
restaurant
is
open
seven
days
usually for 50 or more years ... Claiming
with
relatives
of Camelia and
weekly,
Sunday-Thursday
11-9,
only that something has "authentic" taste
Tony
...
Their
son, Adam
Friday
and
Saturday,
11-
11
its
or flavors just means that the spices used
Garcia,
and
nephew,
Alberto
excellent
enchiladas
and
tamales
in flavoring the dish are genuine to that
Alvarado,
are
managers
...
made
by
Chef
Maria
are
from
realm.
Danny Raskin
General
manager
is
Camelia's
a
recipe
of
Camelia's
mother,
Now celebrating its first anniver-
Senior Columnist sister, Maria Flores, who has
Dominga Garcia, who owned
sary, Camelia's Mexican Grill on W. 12
that last name only because
Minga's Mexican Restaurant
Mile Road, east of Orchard Lake Road,
her
husband
is
also a Flores, but no previ-
in
Detroit's
Mexican
Town
on
24th
Farmington Hills, is another fine Mexican
ous
relation
to
Maria's
brother-in-law.
and
Vernor
...
Customers
at
Camelia's
restaurant where proof of authenticity is
Authenticity
is
so
very
important in eth-
Mexican
Grill
also
enjoy
the
warm
feeling
more than just making its own tortillas ...
nic
dining,
and
Mexican
restaurants
that
of
Mexicana
intimacy
with
its
stucco
walls
There might be slight menu variations that
have
it
are
primary
choices
...
Mexican
and
the
skeleton
head
of
a
bull
that
might
may not have been available in Mexico
food is a combination of color, texture and
have met its doom in the Mexican bull
more than 50 years ago, like Mexican
flavor ... It is not only festive, with almost
ring
...
Although
not
by
Carmelia's
father,
kebobs of chicken or shrimp marinated in
endless variety, but also economical, nutri-
Jesus
Garcia,
who
had
achieved
fame
as
Mexican spices and sauces and Mexican
tious
and tasty ... Camelia's Mexican Grill
a
prominent
bull
fighter
trained
in
Spain
pizza, but all the traditional items familiar
presents
the happy traditional food with
who
fought
in
Mexico
City
...
He
loved
to
in Mexican cuisine selections are there
an
important
level of lofty legitimacy.
cook,
too,
and
taught
wife
Dominga,
who
with important authenticity.
READER
REVIEW
... "My wife, Julie,
educated
Camelia
in
authentic
Mexican
Most significant is that the cooking
and
our
two
children
tried
the Kruse
cuisine.
is done by a Mexican chef and all cooks
&
Muer
restaurant
in
Troy
for
Sunday
Since
opening
Sept.
30,
2006,
at
its
new
in the kitchen are Mexican ... This puts
brunch
and
were
so
impressed
we have
location
on
12
Mile,
Camelia's
has
seen
Camelia's at the head of the class because
since
been
back
two
more
times.
Each
thousands
of
people
come
through
its
most non-Mexican chefs cannot properly
time
we
have
taken
friends
or
family
along
doors
to
enjoy
the
Mexican
dishes
and
associate the food they prepare with the
and
they,
too,
are
raving.
leave
with
satisfactory
smiles
...
Its
made-
taste of Mexico ... In Camelia's kitchen
"Its not like other brunches, where you
from-scratch dishes include personal spe-
is executive chef Maria Blasco, who
wait
in a big line. This one has separate
cialties
of
which
few
other
Mexican
res-
came here directly from Mexico and has
serving
stations around the restaurant. It
taurants
can
boast
...
Tacos
De
Suadero
been with Mexican owners Camelia and
is
at
a
much
more leisurely pace and the
(chargrilled
chuck
roast),
and
the
chicken
Tony Flores since originally opening as
meal
is
divided
into courses instead of
and
shrimp
kabobs.
Camelia's Taco Loco on Telegraph Road in
trying
to
get
everything
piled on the plate
Authentic
dishes
like
fajitas
and
chile
Pontiac.
at
once.
rellano
are
the
most
ordered,
palate-
After Taco Loco came Camelia's in the
"I think the chardonnay grouper was
pleasing favorites of its customers ...
Regency Plaza on 12 Mile for a second
the
best fish I have ever tasted. I think I
Especially
the
fajitas,
tender
strips
of
six years until the present freestanding
had
three helpings of it. Looking at it one
steak,
chicken
or
shrimp
marinated
in
building became vacant ... Seating is for

11" NE OIF

❑

Danny's e-mail address is

dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net .

TRY OUR NEW FRESH MEATBALL APPETIZER DR TRY THEM WITH AN ENTREE

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30685 W.12 Mile just East of Orchard Lake 1

B10 January 10 • 2008

would think it was going to be expensive,
but we paid only $17.95, and our kids, 9
and 12, ate for $5.95 each. We've become
Sunday regulars." ... Robb Boggs.
RUMOR DEPT. ... Buzz has it that the
former Chili's property on Northwestern
Highway, Farmington Hills, is being dick-
ered for ... And that it may become a
Greek restaurant with one of the partners
possibly the former manager at Uptown
Parthenon, Tony Hadjisofroniou, previous-
ly assumed by some to be part of another
Greek restaurant said to perhaps be open-
ing in West Bloomfield.
A strictly hearsay bit to be shot down is
that Mary Belloni, Caucus Club owner on
Congress, Detroit, has sold and that her
fine, upscale restaurant is closed ... Folks
can forget about this as Mary just laughs
and prepares for another anniversary
soon to come of the former London Chop
House's sister eatery.
CONGRATS ... To Susanna Garfinkle
on her 70th birthday ... To Samuel
Cascade on his 96th birthday ... To Julie
Backalar on her birthday ... To Carol
Myrick on her birthday ... To Jeffrey Mark
on his birthday ... To Jeffrey Zamler on
his birthday ... To Barbara Cohen on her
birthday ... To Elaine Lifton on her 90th
birthday ... To Clara Dubin on her 90th
birthday ... To Harold Lang on his birth-
day ... To Helen Lang on her birthday
... To Shirley Lloyd on her birthday ...
To Darlene and Alan Swartz on their 25th
anniversary.

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Erpires 2.10.08 •

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248.474.0902

Fine Italian Dining in a
Casual Atmosphere

10%
OFF
TOTAL FOOD BILL

(Mon-Thum Only)

Please present this coupon to receive discount!
One coupon per customer • Exp: 2/15/08
(Not valid on holidays)

Mon-Thurs: 4pm-10pm • Fri: 11am-11pm
Sat: 4pm-11pm • Sun: 3pm-9pm

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

(248) 538-8954

33210 W. 14 Mile Rd
In Simsbury Plaza, just east of Farmington Rd.
West Bloomfield