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Fit For A King!

Enhancements galore at Orchard Lake's Village Palace.

W

ith various interior and exte-
as choices of tuna, crab or
rior decor upgrades, and
chicken salad.
obtainable dining items not on
Waitperson service con-
tinues to be another of the
the menu, new changes have made a big
difference as Village Palace, on Orchard
big reasons many people
Lake Road north of Pontiac Trail in
enjoy going to the restau-
Orchard Lake Village, celebrates its second rant ... Some servers have
been there since it was the
anniversary.
former Village Place like
The new palace-like stone exterior is
Laura La Pratt, 32 years, and
an anniversary present to themselves
Kris Peterson, 25 years, and
by owner George Lukaj and general
the steady 24-year kitchen
manager son, Robert ... Since he can't be
presence of Curt Steele ...
there because of his continual presence
Also, after all the years as the
at George's Honey Tree in Farmington
previously named Village Place, the accep-
Hills, George's wants are being handled
tance of credit cards has been met with
by Robert, who worked daily with him at
much popularity.
his George's Honey Tree and Grand Tavern
Village Palace restaurant is a seven-
restaurants, and day manager Fabjola
day-a-week operation, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. ...
Prekelezaj, onetime George's Honey Tree
serving breakfast, lunch and dinner at low
waitress and manager at the former
Mezzaluna restaurant in Sterling Heights.
prices.
The informality is appre-
In the two years since
ciated but no more than the
it became Village Palace,
casual and well-kept res-
the informal restaurant
taurant always known for
seating 115 in the dining
its utmost cleanliness ...
room, 15 at a counter
for which its customers give
and 24 in the new out-
thanks ... The daily pres-
door patio, more than
ence and patron satisfac-
500,000 people have
tion efforts of Robert and
come through the doors Fabjola Prekelez aj and
staff are important reasons
... dining on about
Robert Lukaj
for them to return.
8,000 pounds of crab
READER MINI REVIEW
salad, more than 30,000
...by Dennis Silber ..."Outside of Italy,
pounds of chicken breast, 45,000 dozen
I cannot think of any place where there
eggs, more than 7,000 gallons of pancake
are more Italian restaurants than here in
mix, about 7,000 gallons of soup, etc.
Boca Raton, Fla., often referred to with the
Many items not on the menu have been
phrase,
`There is one on every block:
wanted favorites that people come already
"One
of our favorites is family-style
knowing what they will dine on ... Lamb
Ristorante Matteo. Matteo's is friendly
chops, chicken tortellini, broiled tilapia,
and comfortable in a dining room of 275
salmon meatloaf, etc., to go along with
capacity. Under the watchful eye of Peter
the popular broiled whitefish ... A highly
Kramer,
the staff is personable, capable
ordered item not on the menu, stuffed
and knowledgeable regarding its extensive
peppers, is among the daily specials at
menu. In season or out, one can always
Village Palace and added dishes include
count on a full house of friends and neigh-
the platter of cantaloupe, watermelon,
hard-boiled egg and orange slices as well
bors.

Chanukah
Homemade
- Baskets
and Nut Trays

Chanukah Gelt
ManyHoliday Treats

Guaranteed holiday
Nationwide delivery

"Starting off, the cocktails are
generous and always accompa-
nied by quick-arriving appetiz-
ers of delicious New York clams,
stuffed mushrooms and calamari.
The breadbasket is warm and
fresh. The entrees are served in
large platters capably individually
served by the wait staff consisting
of Chicken Pailiard and Shrimp
Wendy (from the low carb side of
the menu), Veal Chop Valdostana,
Half Chicken Matteo and
Chicken Angelina. On the pasta
side, Rigatona a la Vodka is scrumptious.
Accompaniments such as 'burnt' vegetables
(string beans and broccoli) are crunchy and
very tasty. Also incomparable is the Escarole
with spinach, beans and garlic.
"If there is room, the mile-high moist
and sauce-topped chocolate cake is a
must, which makes people forget that they
ordered their entree from the low carb side
of the menu. Prices are reasonable, allowing
for sharing by a large group in a friendly
atmosphere. Matteo's of Boca Raton is
located on S. Federal Highway, and also has
locations in New York, Connecticut, and
Jupiter and Hallandale Beach in Florida."
GOOD SERVER DEPT. ... Amy Feldman
eight years at Beau Jack's Food and Spirits,
15 Mile, west of Telegraph, Bloomfield
Township ... A world of personable effi-
ciency that makes people want to sit in her
station and brings the customers back ...
Amy's graceful smile, pleasant personality
and amiable ability are what restaurant
owners dream about.
MAKING ROUNDS OF Yesteryears
... To Golden Mushroom, Southfield,
for Veal Cutlet or Poached Dover Sole
with Mussels and Chives ... To Bijou,
Southfield, for Swordfish Dali-Dali ... To
Sheik, Detroit, for Eggplant with Hashwa
(stuffing) ... To Cafe Cortina, Farmington
Hills, for Linguine a la Carbonara ... To
Tweeney's, Detroit, for Chicken Liver Pate

... To Irving's Deli, Southfield, for Rose
Guttman's Gefilte Fish ... To Pontchartrain
Wine Cellars, Detroit, for Quiche Lorraine
... To Jim's Garage, Detroit, for Swiss Onion
Soup ... To New Hellas, Greektown Detroit,
for Lamb a la Hellas.
NEWCOMER RESTAURANTS to this
year's Lights, Camera, Auction by Variety,
the Children's Charity, held at Emagine
Theatre in Novi, probably wondered why
they never entered before.
And those who are there every year quick-
ly find out why they keep coming back.
The cause is mighty, and showcasing of
the restaurant's culinary talents is of enor-
mous proportions.
REMEMBERING ... When folks could
become their own star for $9.95 ... That
is if they used the recording facilities
of Marvin Yagoda, owner of Marvelous
Marvin's Mechanical Museum, and
partner in the venture with band leader
Sheldon Roth and his songstress wife,
Vickie Carroll ... It was in the former
Tally Hall in West Bloomfield, from where
Marvin opened at his present site behind
Hunter Square, Orchard Lake Road, south
of 14 Mile ... They called it Guest Artist
Recording Studio, complete with engi-
neer and tapes from more than a thou-
sand song tracks arranged and recorded
in Hollywood ... Oldies, standards, show
tunes, pop, rock and top-40 hits ... "It
lasted five years:' says Marvin, "and we
were before the karaoke rage that still
goes on."
CONGRATS ... To Rita Geiringer on
her birthday ... To Ruth Soper on her 70th
birthday ... To Yetta Kutnick on her 80th
birthday ... To Dennis and Sharon Green
on their 13th anniversary ... To Don and
Keri Cohen on their 25th anniversary ...
To Michael and Sandy Hermanoff on their
38th anniversary. II

Danny's email address is

dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.

FREE

Blooms homemade
Potato Latkes

With any Deli
or Dairy tray
or complete
dinner order
thru 12/29/11

8-855-9463

Bloom's

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December 9 . 2011

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