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Italia Fresca's Fresh Start

Traditional/innovative bistro scores success in Sylvan Lake location.

L

ike the saying goes, you can't
cowboy rib and sirloin) ... The
blame a guy for trying ... And this sirloin, by the way, is among the
he did, for about two years follow-
top sellers at $17.99 ... A dish
ing seven others who had short stays at his not served at too many other
former locale on Orchard Lake Road and
restaurants hereabouts, Salmon
Pontiac Trail in Orchard Lake Village.
Balsamite, is grilled Canadian
Two years of fighting adversity might
salmon with caramelized
have finally turned around after moving
onions, fried capers, basil and
to the present location of Italia Fresca
balsamic vinegar, $16.99 ...
Tuscan Grill and put him on a successful
Also a tasty winner is the popu-
path ... Instead of going out of business
lar bestseller not seen at other
as most of the others did, owner Bassam
Italian eateries, Chicken Fresca,
"Sam" Sharkas just packed up and left in
prepared by Sam (grilled breast
August of 2009, moving to another spot
topped with garlic, basil, tomatoes, arti-
... on Orchard Lake Road,
chokes and a portabella
between Cass Lake Road and
mushroom relish), $14.99
Middlebelt in Sylvan Lake.
... In fact, all but one of
Seating now is 140 plus 16
the nine chicken dishes are
seats at the bar and 50 more
$14.99 ... That lonesome
in a lounge ... At the previ-
chick is Chicken Morengo,
ous location, complete seat-
$15.99.
ing was only 70 ... Seven-
Other than being able to
day hours are Monday-
prepare dishes not on the
Thursday, 11-10; Friday and
menu if the ingredients
Saturday 2-11 p.m.; Sunday
are in-house, favorites
2-9 p.m. ... Beer and wine
ordered by many who
is also now served, with a
know they are available
license that Sam had previ-
Italia Fresca's owner/chef although not listed, are the
ously found difficult to get
Sam Sharkas
Cioppino Seafood Stew
... It looks more like a res-
many like myself never fail
taurant too, with booths, brown napkins,
to get when in San Francisco, and a sliced
better lighting, etc., along with ability for
Tenderloin Siciliano with lightly breaded
private events of up to 40 people.
medallions topped with a zip sauce made
Plus the usual traditional Italian dishes,
by Sam.
Sam is again making innovations that
The former location had its day, but
bring more enjoyment ... Like his Veal
not for Sam, or all but one of its tenants,
Fresca, (veal scaloppini sauteed with gar-
Meating Place the initial occupant ... Two
lic, spinach, artichokes, portabella mush-
years have made quite a difference for
rooms and a basil wine sauce), $18.99.
Italia Fresca ... and now being in Sylvan
The steaks are now prepared with
Lake, it shows with a large turnaround to
Certified Angus Beef (filet, New York strip, success.

SECOND RESTAURANT
in what may become a chain
within a chain is the new Rojo
Mexican Bistro slated to open
in Rochester on Oct. 11 at for-
mer site of Andiamo Rochester
that closed this year ... The
first Rojo by Joe Vicari in Novi
has been such a success that
the concept continues with its
tableside-made guacamole,
customized salsa, etc.
NEW NAME, NEW
THEME, new decor and new menu
... The former Pi Restaurant Lounge
and previous Excalibur Restaurant on
Northwestern Hwy and Franklin, at 12
Mile, Southfield, that recently opened
again is trying it this time with the change
to Pub Sports Bar and Grille ... Open
seven days a week, 11-2, serving the usual
sports tavern fare for lunch and dinner.
BIG HONOR given to localite Erwin
Waldman was becoming supreme trea-
surer, Knights of Pythias, for United States,
Canada and Italy ... Recent convention
in Los Angeles made him the first from
Michigan in 30 years to attain K of P
supreme lodge rank ... The former imme-
diate chancellor commander of Detroit
Lodge #55 remembers 30 years ago well
... That's when Erwin joined the local
Knights of Pythias lodge and learned his
work from Past Chancellor Commander
Bernard "B.B." Bolton.
PURELY BY accident but because of
two great loves was meant to be as the
Aida Opera Club recently celebrated its
20th anniversary ... Dr. Warren and Betty
Cowan invited a group of friends for din-
ner and "a night at the opera" never think-

ing that it would become a regular month-
ly occurrence of more than 100 dinners
and operas ... Dinner is at a restaurant or
homes of members, then seeing an opera
selected by the host and hostess (live or
DVD) ... Morris and Doris Chandler,
George and Vivian Dean, Mimi and Jerry
Teper and Reva Krause, whose husband,
Dr. Jerry Krause was also a member before
passing away six years ago ... When
Betty Cowan passed on 11 years ago, Dr.
Cowan moved to Florida ... Aida Opera
Club's 20th anniversary was celebrated at
Andiamo West Restaurant, Telegraph and
15 Mile, Bloomfield Hills ... The Aida
name by Doris Chandler is a word play on
the group's love of opera and eating (I-Eat-
As), but that dining adulation backfired
one time on their way to Chicago to see an
opera and have a luxuriously lavish dinner
at one the Windy City's finest restaurants
... Morris and George wanted to stop at
Popeye's Chicken, and the group was too
late for their elegant dinner reservation
... The upscale eatery's place was instead
taken by a California Pizza Kitchen.
REUNION DEPT. ... Detroit Winship
Elementary School class of 1956 shindig is
Friday, Oct. 8, 8 p.m., at Andiamo West, 15
Mile and Telegraph, Bloomfield Township
... For more info, call Beth Weingarden
Riseman, (810) 695-7882.
CONGRATS ... To Mort Meisner on
his 57th birthday ... To Geri Margolis on
her birthday ... To Manny and Bernice
Litwin on their 67th anniversary ... To
Ralph and Harriet Abramowitz on their
60th anniversary.

❑

Danny's e-mail address is

dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.

Such a Dean ----Worth the stop at Vineyards!

r

NMI

choice of:
Grilled Includes:
Dinner 1 Includes
LB Turkey, Corned beef or PastramiI Chicken • Grilled Chicken Strips
I
or Potato salad or coleslaw
• Garden Salad
for 4 1 1 LB LB Double
Salad • Choice of Dressings
baked rye bread

--

MEM

I I for 4 to go • Rolls or Heels of Rye
Old and new dill pickles
Russian dressing • Choice of 4 Brownies or Cookies

Valid after 3:00 p.m • Not valid with
any other coupon or discount
Exp 10/15/10

I I

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MIN

j)

The Detroit New

248.855-9463

32418 Northwestern Hwy. between Middlebelt & 14 Mile

40

September 23 • 2010

Order online:
www.VineyardDeli.com
Weekday Dinner Hours 4.7 pm

