Arts & Entertainmeni

V E s 'THING

World Class

Cafe Cortina leads the way and always pleases.

0

f all the accolades that it has
received, none is more glaring than
just two words, innovative consis-
tency ... And in a way much different than
many restaurants that have also received
numerous plaudits in the world of dining.
The uncanny 34-year celebrated rise of
Ristorante Cafe Cortina into a world-class
Italian cuisine leader is based on a yearly
pattern that has not deviated in its con-
tinual conquests.
And this, mind you, has been done with-
out any label of fine dining ... Just a friend-
ly, casual atmosphere where true food-lov-
ers and fellow restaurateurs come from all
over the country to enjoy ... Definitely an
everyday restaurant without being trendy.
Since its meager beginning in 1975
as just another Italian restaurant, Cafe
Cortina, 10 Mile Road, east of Orchard
Lake Road, off the beaten path in
Farmington Hills, has gained a status
where its goodness is not simply recog-
nized but expected.
Cafe Cortina thrives on continual chang-
es ... in recipes, tableware, wines events,
etc.... Owners Rina and son Adrian Tonon
travel regularly to Italy, where this revered

Adrian Tonon and mom, Rina

mother-and-son team energize
their Italian dining knowl-
edge with fresh ideas, talking
to gourmet Italian chefs in
numerous regions of Italy,
visiting and experiencing new
wine producers and bringing
their vinos to the tables of
Cafe Cortina before the choice
wines become brilliant stars.
Over the years, Cafe Cortina
has continually placed huge
focus on the keeping current
of great food and hospitality
... Like grapevines that produce stunning
wines, the informal and cozy Cafe Cortina
continues to grow in the world of enjoy-
able Italian cuisine.
Today, 34 years after original owners
Rina and the late Adriano Tonon opened
Cafe Cortina, the same philosophy of
goodness in all phases of Italian dining
continues to apply ... Many of the food
recipes are its own, like the bread being
Adriano's own formula, along with numer-
ous others that throughout the years have
remained in the family ... Like one dish
that originated in Ponza, Italy, from where
Rina's parents came,"Pesce Aqua Pazza"
which when translated means "Fresh
Mediterranean Fish in Crazy Water" ...
The delightful dish has been in her fam-
ily for many years and today other Italian
restaurants are featuring it on their menus
... truly a great compliment when others
duplicate your food.
"The warm, casual elegance, genuine
Italian hospitality, never resting on laurels
and only working with the freshest, most
qualified ingredients — the things my
parents used to get ridiculed for are now
the latest trends", says Adrian, whose abil-

ity to somewhat step into his
dad Adriano's shoes in working
alongside mother Rina, is most
admirable.
"In my eyes, all those years
mean nothing other than a lot
of great memories were creat-
ed. We wake up every morning
and strive to supersede the last
day, never taking anything for
granted, at the same time hav-
ing a great time doing it."
In 1976, the original kitchen
at Cafe Cortina was designed
larger than needed to accommodate a
capacity of 175, even though the main
dining room seated only 90 ... Adriano
and Rina seemed to foresee a future
growth and that number uncannily is
today the Cafe Cortina capacity.
First came the Fireside Room addition
for 25 in 1980 ... Then the Garden Room
and Patio in 1987, the latter which last
year in 2009 was enlarged even more for
bigger wedding receptions, outdoor cock-
tail parties, etc.
Cafe Cortina combines continual experi-
ences of new presentations garnered from
the minds of great Italian chefs and unites
them with innovative beginnings and end-
ings that result in true elegant standards for
outstanding and unforgettable gracious
informal dining experiences.
MAIL DEPT.... "I just love the Caesar
salad at D'Paulis. [Sugar Tree Plaza, Orchard
Lake Road, West Bloomfield]. It reminds
me of how Caesar salads used to be. I
remember years ago how Caesar was a
novelty on a restaurant menu. Now it seems
everyone has it. But not everyone does it
as good. Moreover, too many places put
gobs of creamy dressing all over the plate.

D'Paulis has a light, oil-based dressing that
is not heavy. It just seems fresher than at
other restaurants. My late husband, Harold,
and I used to love the tableside service that
no one does anymore. But DiPaulis has the
taste that brings me back to the romantic
dinners of my youth." ... Anita Blumkin.
[A few places, like Rugby Grille in the
Townsend Hotel, Birmingham, still have the
original tableside Caesar salad, instead of
the present version served at so many res-
taurants of salad with a Caesar dressing ...
If pressed, Zolton Smolcic, general manager
at Quattro in Birmingham might be coaxed
into making you one of his wonders ...
And if you can find Robert Kimoto, his true
Caesar salad is among the best.]
ADD ANOTHER FINE soup joining
the ones made by Fay Hillawi at Vineyards
Marketplace, Northwestern Highway,
Farmington Hills ... It's her new, full-bod-
ied vegetarian chili, which seems like you
can taste the meat that isn't there, chock-
filled with kidney beans, lentils and small-
cut veggies ... Fay's vegetable chili goes
with her pea, minestrone, lentil, cabbage,
vegetable, etc., soups plus a tasty chicken
noodle and vegetable.
THREE MORE MARKET locales now
carry Yossi's Famous Foods collection of
Israeli yummies ... Joining all the Hiller
stores are Papa Joe's in Birmingham and
Rochester and Market Basket in Franklin.
CONGRATS ... To Tamara Friedman
on her birthday ... To Adrian Gladman
on her birthday ... To Ron White on his
75th birthday ... To Jeanette Cook on her
90th birthday ... To Morris "Andy" Weiss
on his 99th birthday ... To Jay and Marian
Raskin on their 67th anniversary.

Danny's e-mail is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net .

4.9 r4 t r l ■ %

FREE

Swedish lis

VweigtsZeacChruddipite's

FREE

With any tray order for 10 or more people.

Your choice of premium deli trays or healthy roll up sandwiches
• Kosher trays Also available

acT Vco

Double Fudge

FREE Brownies

Great for all
occasions including
Super Bowl!!!!!

wou

thiL

cno

Free a l p of Soup

DELI •

CAFE • CATERING„,

32418 Northwestern Hwy. • between Middlebelt & 14 Mile • 248.855-9463 •

36

February 4 • 2010

iN

ORDER ONLINE

Miro February with al/
full sandwich orae!!!!

4i

www.VineyardDeli.com

