arts & entertainment >> the best of everything Mayoral Endorsement For 40 years Davison Coney Island has thrilled Oak Parkers. p OTPOURRI READER MINI-REVIEW ... By Jerry Naftaly, Oak Park mayor ... "Davison Coney Island has become more than a popular neighborhood restaurant over many years. It is truly a local institution. "In 1971, Davison Coney Island was moved from Detroit to Nine Mile and Coolidge by the late Steve Lampos. It soon became an Oak Park favorite with a loyal following that steadily grew through his years at the helm and after his son Phil took over the operation. "The tradition is successfully continu- ing under current owners Sam and Christa Larson, and there is no mystery about why. The couple learned the business at the restaurant as key employees, regularly welcom- ing, cooking for and serving hun- dreds of the same customers they now take care of as owners. Their clientele loyally Mayor Jerry Naftaly includes Oak Park and surround- ing area residents, business owners and employees and out-of-towners. "Davison Coney Island has been serving great coney dogs and more for 66 years. Customers also rave about Sam's special, also known as Sam's Famous Chicken Salad Pita, part sandwich and part salad. Patrons say, `One taste and you're hooked!' Other favorites include cheeseburgers, french fries, chili, soups and luncheon sal- ads. Sam and Christa have added a variety of new menu items while continuing to serve the longtime favorites and main- taining the restaurant's signature charm. Kosher hot dogs are served on request. "Sam's chili was voted No. 1 `Best of in a recent poll con- ducted by WDIV-Channel 4. Davison's coney dogs finished among the area's top three, along with those of the nation- ally famous duo [American and Lafayette] in downtown Detroit in a similar poll con- ducted in 2009. "Davison remains successful because it is customer-friendly as well as customer-pleasing. Christa oversees the bustling operation (the 14 booths and 9 counter stools are filled most days during lunch hours) while answering carry-out calls, ringing up bills and calling out menu orders. While Sam is busy preparing meals, he is shouting out 'hellos' and `thanks for coming' to the many patrons. Christa and Sam know most of their cus- tomers by name plus which specialties they like best. Waitresses Lisa, Kim and Kelly provide quick, friendly service." DANDY DINING DEAL ... Repeat by request one more week only at this price, Thursday, June 16, through Thursday, June 23 ... Full order lamb ribs, $6.95, includ- ing soup or salad, potatoes, vegetable and bread basket ... Siegel's Deli, 15 Mile, just west of Haggerty, Commerce Township. WHAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT ... Taco De Suadero, chargrilled chuck roast, at Camelia's Mexican restaurant, 12 Mile, Farmington Hills ... Veal Chop Valdoscana stuffed with cheese and black truffles, at El Barzon Restorante, on Junction, Detroit ... Salmon poached in red wine by co- owner/executive chef Lina Bernstein from the century-old French recipe, at French Gourmet, Woodward, Ferndale. MAIL DEPT. ... "We were wonder- ing why the restaurant, I think it was supposed to be Greek, at the location of Macaroni Grill on Northwestern, never opened. I seem to recall that you wrote about this a while ago." ... Sandra W. Goodman [I have recently been inside, and it is beautiful, probably one of the most striking Greek restaurants in many regions. Things seemed to have bogged down immensely since the superintendent passed on with a heart attack. But I have assurance from the owner that it will definitely open.] CERTAINLY YOU'VE heard about the guys or gals who are such ter- rific cooks that friends and relatives say, "You should go into business doing this." It may have taken some time, but 10 years ago Marcia Nodel finally took them up on the suggestion and did just that. For years, she was known for her dog photography and on the side a little cooking, which was always a big love ... When Marcia's two chil- dren, Cary and Jordan, were small, she began making Marcia Nodel caramel corn, jam, pickles and peanut brittle as gifts to give to her friends ... until putting her photography work aside because of little time and concentrating more on her products being sold at two Bloomfield Township spots, Steve's Deli and Peter's Palate Pleaser, whose kitchen she uses. After five years, it became more than just two places, expanding into other stores as well (Hiller's, Market Square, Franklin Cider Mill, etc.) ... Plus taking orders for special events (showers, bar mitzvahs, hotel gift bags, etc.) ... Last year, Marcia began her website (munch- !ATI/Ea V, PICNICS GRADUATION PARTIES, NOVA iesbymarcia.com ) selling her caramel corn and two kinds of peanut brittle, (regular and chipotle), online as well as in the stores. The divorced mother of two children who today are grown up and live out of state, Marcia is not only doing what she loves so much, but becoming well noted as the owner and executive chef of her own company, Marcia's Munchies ... The treats she made 30 years ago for her youngsters are now being enjoyed by everyone. I REMEMBER DEPT. ... By dance maestro Joe Cornell, living in California ... "I was on tour dancing around the country and Sid Stone, former pitch man with Milton Berle on the Texaco Star Theater, admired my head of hair and asked where I had bought 'the piece. I told him that my head of hair was a Sicilian heritage and Sid exclaimed, 'Write that down. I want to go to that place!'" REUNION DEPT. ... 50th by Berkley High School's 1961 class, with 1962 grads also invited, is Sunday, Aug. 21, 2-8 p.m., at Bay Pointe Golf Club, Haggerty Road, West Bloomfield ... For more info, call Dennis Green, 248-884-2626 ... 40th by Southfield High is Saturday, Aug. 6, at Somerset Inn, Troy ... For more info, call Larry Gunsberg, 248-522-7363 CONGRATS ... To Dennis Boren on his 59th birthday ... To Gary Rubenstein on his 56th birthday ... To Hilary Richter on her birthday ... To Sara Manson on her birthday ... To Howard Malley on his birthday ... To Maggie Feldman on her birthday ... To Debbie Zager on her birth- day ... To Hedy Blatt on her birthday ... To Boris Israilov on his 43rd birthday ... To Ron Finegood on his 60th birthday ... To Angelo Georgizas on his 64th birthday ... To Jerry and Jeanette Olson on their 50th anniversary ... To Sam and Gloria Lerman on their 54th anniversary. II Danny's email is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net . 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