Arts & Entertainment THE BEST OF EVERYTHING Five'II Get You Ten Moe's on Ten marks its fifth year of thrifty, upscale dining. A sk him what he knows best about being in the restaurant business and without hesitation his answer will be family dining ... And it is because of this that the reputation of Moe Leon has been revered by many who can appreciate the importance of this knowledge. Moe's On Ten Family Dining, 10 Mile, just west of Haggerty, Novi, and Moe's On Wixom, South Wixom Road, between 15 Mile and 1-96, are prime examples of this and why consistency has played such an important lead role in the success of their existences. They are the offshoots of Moe's original operation, Leon's Family Dining, which had previously occupied the present same location on 10 Mile ... Family-owned and operated low-priced semi-upscale restau- rants are important, especially in these soft economic times when folks are watching their pennies ... Moe runs the Moe's On Ten restaurant, and wife, Debra, and their son Tony work Moe's On Wixom ... Both eateries have like hours, 7 days, Monday- Thursday, 7-10; Friday and Saturday, 7-11; Sunday, 8-9, and same menus. This is the fifth anniversary of Moe's on 10 that began 20 years ago as a tradi- tional mom and pop family dining eatery named Leon's at the former Landmark site ... As Moe's On Ten, the family dining offerings were continued but with a more upscale importance and higher than rea- sonable prices ... Moe's chef at the time had visions of grandeur, which could be enjoyed so long as he didn't have to pay the bills ... Moe weathered the situation of more money going out than being taken in and after saying goodbye to the chef, kept the name Moe's On Ten again!" says Moe emphatically. but reverted back to the Leon's HE MAY NOT BE a restau- established way of low-priced rateur, but Ron Asmar, owner family dining. of Vineyards on Northwestern, When he opened under Farmington Hills, is doing what the new name five years ago, many other restaurant owners, only one steak was featured present and past, have done ... Today there are four, a 23- during poor economic periods ounce porterhouse (added ... They found ways to do what nine months ago) big enough they could to keep afloat. Danny Raskin for two people, $27; 10-ounce His two newest offers are Senior Columnist filet, $23.95; 14-ounce New free chicken noodle soup York Strip, $19.95; and London with any sandwich ... and on Broil, $16.95. weekdays from 8 to 11 a.m. 25 cents for Additionally were dishes that have also large Starbucks coffee. become huge standouts at both of Moe's But Ron's biggest might be for folks hav- operations ... 10-12-ounce whitefish, ing home shindigs on New Year's Eve ... $14.95; lake perch, $16.95; walleye, $17.95; He and his Vineyards are giving both free chicken alfredo, $12.95; pasta primavera, party favors and free chocolate brownie $9.95; chicken stir-fry, $10.95 ... All com- assortment with carryouts of either of plete meals including soup or salad, potato two deals ... Holiday Deli Meat Tray with or rice and vegetable. Swedish Meat Balls, choice of four meats Two years after opening came the highly (corned beef, turkey pastrami, salami, popular brunch, Saturday and Sunday, 8 turkey, roast beef, ham), potato salad, a.m.-2 p.m., $9.95 adults, and youngsters coleslaw, cut-up vegetables and dip, two 10 and under, $4.95, with about 20 items cheeses, condiments and double-baked including omelets and waffles (regular rye bread ... enough for 10 people, $99.95 or egg white) made to order, four meats, ... An Hors d'Oeuvres Party Tray with potatoes, regular and potato pancakes, etc. seven items, including coconut chicken, Moe still makes his own noted chicken shrimp egg rolls, Swedish meatballs, min- soup, refusing to let anyone else prepare iature roll-up sandwiches, etc., is $149.95, it for fear of something being lost in the also serving 10 persons. goodness ... And being from the old WHAT PEOPLE MISS DEPT. ... school of restaurant ownership, he is a Hungarian goulash made by Betty Kastner twice-a-week fixture at the Eastern Market at her husband's restaurant, Albert's ... "Nobody picks out my produce and Dining Room on W. 7 Mile, Detroit. fruits!" says Moe. FOURTH CANDLE lighting for "I always did dream of having a family Chanukah at Yossi's, Robin's Nest, Orchard dining restaurant with an upscale feel and Lake Road, north of 14 Mile, West low prices. Now that I have it, this is where Bloomfield, is Wednesday evening, Dec. I'm staying! Nobody will ever change me 24, 6-9 p.m. ... All-You-Can-Eat buffet, including latkes, music, etc. ... $15 presale and $18 at the door ... (248) 626-0160. MAKING ROUNDS ... To Assagi, Nine Mile, Ferndale, for Moroccan-spiced bar- becued duck ... To Bacco, Northwestern, Southfield, for whole-roasted sea bass, boned tableside. EVEN THE VARIOUS buffet food sta- tions were filled with "camp style" food ... Macaroni and cheese, mini tacos, hamburger sandwiches, etc., as around 400 attended the 31st annual "Gala At the Movies" by Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America, Michigan Chapter. The event honored the Michael Yendick Foundation for Children, a major sponsor of the CCFA of Michigan's Camp Oasis for kids with Crohn's disease or ulcer- ative colitis ... Food was prepared by the culinary department at Birmingham's Palladium Theater, where the movie night was held ... Other than the paid food servers, who work for Palladium, CCFA members and kids volunteered in helping with the desserts, acting as ushers, etc. ... The attending guys and gals who enjoyed a choice of five movies, free popcorn and pop raised a whopping $120,000. CONGRATS ... To Ben Rosen on his 85th birthday ... To Barbara Cohen on her birthday ... To Carol Myrick on her birth- day ... To Julie Backalar on her birthday ... To Joseph Bradley on his 70th birthday and wife, Myrna Bradley, on her 69th birthday ... To Boris Shain on his 60th birthday ... To Robyn Graham on her birthday ... To Lou Damraur on his 80th birthday ... To Norman Samson on his 60th birthday. Danny's e-mail address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net . 201 S Old Woodward Avenue • Birmingham MI 48009 248.594.7300 • www.forterestaurant.com 1 4.5600, - , December 18 • 2008 C21