Arts & Entertainment

THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

That's Italian!

Antonio's Cucina celebrates 7th anniversary in Farmington Hills.

W

hen people talk about a
restaurant, in many cases
identification as to its culture
can be assumed by food names ... Like
in Italian, with spaghetti and pizza among
the more common identity hints ... But
there are instances, many of them, where
only the restaurant's name is needed ...
Its reputation precedes any and all guess-
work.
Such is the case with a restaurant such
as Antonio's Cucina Italiana, whose loca-
tion on 12 Mile and Halsted, in the Halsted
Plaza, Farmington Hills, is celebrating its
seventh anniversary ... Other locations are
Dearborn Heights, Canton and the family
original Roman Village in Dearborn.
Many of those who voice an opinion
that all Italian cooking is so much alike
are void of educated palates ... A visit to
Italian restaurants like Antonio's Cucina
Italiano or Roman Village are readily
apprised of a vast difference.
The Farmington Hills location was 7
years old in February and already stands
tall among the better places to have a true,
authentic Italian meal ... Antonio "Tony"
Rugiero Jr., and brothers Patrick, Mark
and Robert, hold up the family dining
tradition by operating the three Antonio's
while their parents, Antonio Sr. and Rita
Rugiera, concentrate attendance at Roman
Village, which they opened in 1964, two
years after coming to America ... Rita
also continues to go daily from restaurant
to restaurant, creating the sauces and
soups while making sure that her wonder-
ful recipes are prepared with the correct
amounts of salt and pepper.
It is noteworthy that, without any
exception, Antonio's makes all its own

pastas, which it continues to
display with much pride within
a glassed-in Pasta Room ...
Last year, 2007, almost 33,000
pounds of pasta were made
... And because of the numer-
ous requests, Antonio's finally
gave in and added a fillet and
Delmonico steak with zip sauce
to its menu ... Steak may not be
considered an authentic Italian
offering, but several regions of
Italy have their specialties, like Florence
with its Steak Florentine ... In America,
many customers consider having one or
more steak selections at an Italian restau-
rant almost like it is a staple.
The food at Antonio's Cucina Italiana is
such that brings back memories to those
who have eaten in the central and south-
ern regions of Italy, from where Rita and
Antonio Sr. come.
The dishes served at Antonio's carry
a sort of satisfaction because of the dif-
ference in so many ways, taste among
the countless, and the presentation of
items not seen elsewhere ... Like the
highly popular Rita Sauce with mush-
rooms, or Chicken Antonio created at the
Farmington Hills locale.
All locations have the same hours: lunch
and dinner, Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-
10 p.m.; Friday, 10:30-11; Saturday, 1-11;
Sunday, 1-9 ... Ten entree items make
up a Piccolo Bambino (children's menu)
that also includes soup or salad, kiddie
cocktail and the very delicious, premises-
made bread at Antonio's ... Thursdays in
Farmington Hills, a magician entertains
both the youngsters and adults from 5:30
to 8:30, and Wednesdays have strolling

mandolin and accordion,
5:30-8.
With Antonio's Cucina
Italiana celebrating its
seventh anniversary in
Farmington Hills, the revela-
tion is huge that since 2001
it has become one of the
cherished favorites of so
many ... Few mom-and-pop
restaurants can boast of such
true family togetherness and
fine Italian dining experience.
MAIL DEPT. ... "As a long-time reader
of your column, I felt I needed to com-
ment on your June 12 column with praise
for Tom, Dena and staff at George's Senate
Coney Island on Haggerty [Commerce
Township]. The praise was well deserved,
but you didn't mention the food. From its
appetizers to the home-made soups to the
gyros with the tenderest lamb ever, the
entrees border on gourmet and they have
the best rice pudding around. We have
been faithful customers since they opened.
Last year, the owner, Tom Technos, asked
how to make matzah ball soup. It was a
hit with his customers and he repeated it
for Rosh Hashanah and again for Passover
this year." ... Arlene Salter.
QUESTION & ANSWER Dept. ...
"Some of our friends say that Cindy
Margolis at one time was in the restaurant
business. Where? She sure is a knockout.
My wife, Bessie, and I have a bet. She says
that Cindy is older then I am. I'm 35 ...
Arnold Stillman.
The celebrated super model, commer-
cial presenter, actress (Austin Powers, etc.,
TV's "Alley McBeal", etc.) was married to
Los Angeles restaurateur Guy Starkman,

president of Jerry's Famous Deli ... But
she became on the loose again as of this
year ... Many will remember her, too,
when she teamed with Chef Wolfgang
Puck in winning NBC's "Celebrity Cooking
Showdown" a couple of years ago ... But
as far as I know, she was never in the res-
taurant business ... Regarding her age,
your wife wins ... Cindy sure doesn't look
it, but she will be 43 this October.
DID YOU KNOW Dept. ... That there
is kosher food available for pets? ...
Evanger's Dog and Cat Food Company,
owned by Holly and Bill Sher in Wheeling,
Ill., has a line of kosher canned food that
carries the endorsement of the Chicago
Rabbinical Council.
MAKING ROUNDS ... To Lilly's
Seafood, Washington, Royal Oak, for old
country seafood boil ... To Melting Pot,
Big Beaver, Troy, for Caribbean-seasoned
bouillon cooked at the table ... To Yotsuba,
Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, for
salmon on tortilla pizza.
CONGRATS ... To Toni Perkins on her
birthday ... To Ronna Heller on her birth-
day ... To Arnold Berman on his 80th
birthday ... To David Elbinger on his 70th
birthday ... To Michael Levine on his 80th
birthday ... To Alan Borsen on his 50th
birthday ... To Stuart and Nancy Wilhelm
on their 48th anniversary ... To Nathan
and Ethel Fine on their 53rd anniversary
... To Arnold and Elaine Berman on their
59th anniversary ... To Ellen and Myron
Gruskin on their 53rd anniversary. H

Danny's e-mail address is

dannyraskin@sbcglobaLnet.

201 S Old Woodward Avenue • Birmingham Ml 48009
248.594.7300 • www.forterestaurant.com

July 3 • 2008

C9