all's fare platinum plates Adventures In Dining See what summer in Detroit has to offer. BY LISA BRODY Angel Summer in Metro Detroit is our reward for getting through winter. So get out there, and enjoy the best of the area, at all price points. 2Booli: Fresh Mediterranean Eats has opened on West 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills, offer- A Ferndale cafe provides the meals and the art. ing the recipes and traditions of Lebanon as well as a few from Greece and Italy. Enjoy fresh-baked pitas, shwarma, BY DAVID MOSS I PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE BAAN kabobs, kafta, mujadra and the namesake tabouli salad as well as Greek salad and spaghetti and meatballs. The Angel's Cafe in Ferndale offers a visual and culi- nary feast for the senses that is both calming and inspiring. Original art adorns the walls of the two neutrally painted dining rooms. The in-house artist also happens to be the chef and proprietor, Keith Floyd Pierce. Trained in Italy and France, Pierce purchased the space on Nine Mile Road 12 years ago for an artist's studio. His love of cooking convinced him to open a restaurant, now Angel's Cafe. Everything at Angel's is made there. The meats and produce are locally grown and organic. The food is prepared carefully and lovingly, resulting in a meal that offers treats for the eye and the palate. Don't come to Angel's if you are rushing to catch a movie. Plan to stay awhile, enjoying the art, the sounds, the smells and the abundance of fresh flavors. Our first course was Crostini Mista. Crusty Italian rolls are dipped in extra virgin olive oil, dusted with garlic, herbs and Romano cheese, and served with a piping-hot crock full of spring veg- etables in a rich tomato sauce that was bursting with flavor. Saving ourselves for the main course, we ate about half and saved the rest to take home. The next day, I poured the warmed sauce over pasta and had a very nice snack. On to the entrees. We chose the Rosemary Lemon Chicken, which was simply amazing. A nice-sized chicken breast is rubbed generously with rosemary, garlic Parmesan and lemon and served with steamed zucchini, squash and green beans over couscous. The rosemary and garlic smelled wonder- ful, and the chicken was juicy and flavorful. Our other entree was Wild Caught Mahi Mahi filet, rubbed in citrus juices and broiled with olive oil. This dish was topped with a homemade mango salsa and served with a rice pilaf that was loaded with walnuts and fresh vegetables. The salsa with this dish was delicious but a bit overwhelming for the fish. I had to push some aside in order to really Pb • AUGUST 2009 • .1\ IIIiIIIIIUtIt appreciate the flavor of the mahi mahi. Other entrees include Garlic Chicken Breast, topped with Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts; Jamaican Jerk Salmon; and several pasta dishes, including Penne Arrabiata, with a Roman sauce of garlic, tomatoes, basil and red chili cooked in olive oil and topped with Romano cheese, and Florentine Cheese Ravioli in Bechamela sauce, topped with portabella mush- rooms, walnuts and Romano. There are vegan entrees to choose from and at lunchtime, several salad and sandwich options. All desserts are homemade at Angel's each day. The chocolate is processed in-house. There is always a mousse and a torte. Gluten-free and aller- gen-free baked goods are available with advance notice. We were too full for dessert, so Chef Pierce created a light last course of coconut mousse served with fresh blackberries and a strawberry hand- dipped in chocolate. This was the perfect ending to a great meal. Angel's Cafe is a reasonably priced restau- rant that I could comfortably walk into and say, "Surprise me!" The food was that good. L' delightful Cafe Muse in Royal Oak has moved down the street on Washington Ave. In its place, check out What Crepe?, offering an adorable menu of sweet and savory French crepes (thin pancakes), along with fair-trade cof- fees and teas. Although it has a vegetarian slant, you can find chicken and turkey on the menu. With only 26 seats, you may have to stroll Royal Oak while you wait. Another charming French cafe is Le Petit Zinc, on Trumbull at Howard in Detroit. Le Petit Zinc also serves savory and sweet crepes, baguette sandwiches, ratatouille and fresh salads. All of the ingredients are from Eastern Market, Avalon Bakery and other nearby proprietors. Check out the Vietnamese cuisine at Da Nang at Main and 14 Mile Road in Clawson. Casual, affordable, fresh and light, it's a great addition to satisfy your Asian food craving. Hilton Road Cafe, on Hilton Road in Ferndale, could have its picture under "diner" in the dictionary. Enjoy the full range of diner dishes, from wonderful egg and pancake breakfasts to burgers, sandwiches and salads. There is a Greek flair, from the Greek salad and spinach pie to the desserts, and omelets are a specialty. The Rugby Grill at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham has lightened its look, menu and prices. Contemporary paintings give the restaurant a fresher feel, and there are special lunch ANGEL'S CAFE 2 12- Mi:s, Road, Ferriday= 246 541 -C.888 and dinner offers: a $15 lunch on Mondays with three entree choices and a $35-per-person dinner on Sundays andeis.Pafi.oitrndaie.com that offers a three-course chef's tasting menu. Stop in at Sc , ..;psiSalads/Appetizers: 53.50- $ 12 taurant, to see how its menu makeover will make it more Entrees. $ 1 1.45-S16 approachable for Detroit-area diners. Lelli's of Auburn Saltwater at MGM Grand Detroit, the beautiful seafood res- Hills on Opdyke is celebrating the venerable Detroit H:\urs : restaurant's 70th anniversary with a celebration for its Tuesday-ThJrsday noon-9 p.m. patrons. Enjoy its signature filet mignon dinner, antipasto Friday-Saturday neon-10 p.m. tray, soup, salad, pasta, filet, potatoes and spumoni for Pr Nate parties maiba booked Sundays $29.99 per person. And, finally, chef Artie Oliverio, owner and Mondays Han tea service is available of Maria's by Oliverio in West Bloomfield, has opened a with 24 new locale, Oliverio's on Benstein, on Benstein Road in notice Commerce Township. Bon appetit!