Arts & Entertainment

THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

Italo-Mex? Si! Si!

El Barzon Restaurante offers a unique blend of cultures and cuisines.

I

n most instances, the attraction of a
chiles en ahogada and black
Mexican and Italian
... Mark Zarkin and Steven Lelli's highly
true destination restaurant is its abil-
linguine with live lobster ... The
Restaurante is an interesting
awaited Steven Lelli's Lelli's Inn will be
ity to offer foods that are not obtain-
menu includes a wide variety of
adventure in this style of din- one of the 20 or more restaurants slated
able elsewhere or difficult to obtain ...
Mexican and Italian selections,
ing ... And heavily worthy of to show off their goodies Tuesday, Oct. 19,
Passing other eateries to get what a person but customers come from all
destination acceptance.
at Novi's Emagine Theater in Fountain
or persons want is today a huge step in
points for many of the offerings
HE WILL OPEN away
Walk, 12 Mile west of Novi Road ...
attainment of restaurant success.
not even listed on the menu ...
from his former Southfield
Chairpersons Michael Bressler and Judith
Too bad many restaurant owners, most-
Lamb chops with Barolo (red
restaurant success, but
Solomon will head the evening's event
ly inexperienced ones, only hope that peo- wine), Veal Vadoscana (stuffed
Dimitri "Jim" Seros hopes
that'll again include a strolling supper and
ple will somehow find them, even though
with cheese and black truffles),
to attract former custom-
Danny Raskin
silent auction (6 p.m.) plus a film sneak
the food they serve is like so many others
Dover sole baked with white
ers to his Dimitri's Greek
Senior Columnist
preview (7:45) and other surprises ...
and without imagination ... Refusing to
wine in a lemon sauce, etc.
Restaurant on 18 Mile and
Friend tickets are $50 and patrons $100.
bend in making desperately needed revi-
Although most dining items
Hayes, Clinton Township.
CULINARY BROTHER ACT at George's
sions especially in today's
by Norberto and Silvia are
At one time or another, Dimitri owned 11 Honey Tree restaurant, Northwestern
market, is a terrible error.
regularly ordered, favorites
restaurant operations here and sold them
Highway, south of 14 Mile, West
In numerous cases, the
include signature items like
to relatives ... His Dimitri's of Southfield
Bloomfield, has folks talking about where
latter is a big reason by
Barbacoa de Chivo (steamed
on 10 Mile and Southfield, was among the
they knew them ... George Lukaj's head
restaurant doors are forced
goat), goat chops, Mole
largest and most beautiful "basement" res-
chef, Jerry Sanchez, and his brother, Sous
to close.
Poblano (a sauce made from
taurants around ... When it first opened
Chef Luis Sanchez, were among the kitch-
A dining spot like El
cacao, cinnamon and dried
in 1982, a promotion read, "Greektown
en employees at the former Big Daddy's
Barzon on Junction, off
chilies), Pipian and veal chops Comes To Southfield" ... A few operators of Parthenon in West Bloomfield ... Both are
Michigan Avenue, Detroit, is
... Its biggest sellers are the
the famed downtown Detroit Greek dining
six-year veterans at George's Honey Tree.
among those where owner-
Mole Poblano, chiles rellenos,
sector objected to this line of advertising,
Other than their regular nightly dish-
chef Norberto Garita and
ravioli, Tris de Pasta, soupa
and it was ultimately dropped ... However,
outs, on the Sunday Brunch, 10-2, Luis
wife, Silvia, who works side
de pisce and cecina el barzon, the steady flow of rapidly growing cus-
makes almost 400 omelets and the same
Silvia and No rberto
by side with him, realize
but
there is little dearth in the tomers maintained that many eateries in
amount for the made-to-order waffles ...
Garita
that their restaurant is not
ordering of other Mexican or
Greektown wished they were as good as
Also on the Thursday Pasta Night, 5:30-
on a beaten path, so present
Italian food features because
Dimitri's of Southfield, where Dimitri often
8:30, Luis makes almost 300 pasta dishes
reasons essential for destination go-to.
of the imaginative ways that this husband
took people on an inspection tour of his
himself ... Jerry overseas the preparations
Norberto is also very adept at Italian
and wife togetherness is presenting.
kitchen during rush hours for them to see
on both days for more than 1,000 people.
cooking with New York experience before
Many folks even enjoy a combination
how clean it was.
FROM ONE EXTREME to another, Mark
spending eight years as sous chef at the
of Mexican and Italian specialties ... It is
NO TIME IS LOST by Joe Vicari,
Meyerson, former owner with father Arlyn
former Il Posto Ristorante in Southfield ... difficult to imagine the fusing of Mexican
Andiamo Restaurant Group CEO, as he
Meyerson, of Buddy's Bar-B-Que of West
Most of the Mexican menu derives from
and Italian cuisine on the same dish,
already makes plans for a third Rojo
Bloomfield, has gone from barbecued ribs,
Silvia's authentic knowledge of traditional
something that certainly cannot be gotten
Mexican Bistro to follow the recent
etc., to Nutrition Unlimited in Southgate
fare as made back at their home in Puebla, anywhere too readily.
Rochester opening and Novi original
with its organic and natural foods.
east of Mexico City.
El Barzon is open six days, Tuesday-
... Number three is scheduled to open
CONGRATS ... To Gerald Kalman on
El Barzon has only been open less than
Friday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.;
in 2011 in the Mall at Partridge Creek,
his 75th birthday ... To Suzie Feldman on
three years, since November 2007, but has
Saturday, 4-10 p.m.; Sunday, 1-8 p.m. ...
Clinton Township.
her 65th birthday.
quickly been discovered, presenting with
Seating is for 80 in two rooms, with an
IT'S NOT EVEN OPEN yet but will
pride dishes not available at other restau-
additional six in the bar lounge.
participate in this year's Lights, Camera,
Danny's e-mail address is
rants in this region ... Like goat chops,
There is little doubt that El Barzon
Action! by Variety the Children's Charity
dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net .

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Your Food 1
Bill* 4"14

I Try the new Tavern On 13 and receive 25%
I
off your food bill* with this coupon

Valid thru November 15th, 2010

17600 W 13 mile Rd. Beverly Hills Mi. 48025
(248) 647-7747
www.mattprenticerg.com

552

October 14 • 2010

JN

Not valid with gift cards, certificates or frequent diners rewards.
Does not apply to private parties, alcohol or any other promotion
Limited to parties of 8 or less