COMMUNITY
FIVE THINGS YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE
FOODIE
Simple Food, Done Delicious
Steve & Rocky's goodness starts on Steve's farm.
By Esther Allweiss Ingber
". " hef Steve Allen, co-owner of Steve & Rocky's in Novi,
also answers to the name "Farmer Steve."The city boy
born and raised in Detroit owns around nine acres in
the Hartland area, where his pleasure is raising, butchering
and selling a variety of free-range poultry and livestock
— including 350 freshly dressed turkeys for his customers'
Thanksgiving dinner this year.
Fresh produce from his gardens shows up on sum-
mer menus at the Novi restaurant and also at Rocky's of
Northville, owned by Allen's business partner, chef Chuck
(Rocky) Rachwitz. Allen also sells his vegetables, includ-
ing heirloom tomatoes, to chefs at other places, including
West Bloomfield Henry Ford Hospital and Livonia's School-
craft College, where he is a culinary instructor.
Explaining his purpose, Allen has said, "If you grow a
good product, it's reflected in the product you're cooking."
Restaurant general manager Duane T. Brady said, "Our
niche is: We do simple food, done well. We offer quality
service and keep prices reasonable, without breaking the
bank."
That ideal combination has kept Steve & Rocky's a Novi
mainstay since opening its doors in 1998. The colorful din-
ing room is funky and eclectic. There is a fish tank and an
extensive display of decorative roosters.
When it comes to popular dining items, Brady said,
"The filet is always our No. 1 seller among meat:' But many
diners prefer the menu's fresh fish preparations. My lunch
companions couldn't get enough of the Lake Perch Saute.
It comes with wilted greens, basmati rice, almonds and
C
shitake mushrooms in a brown butter vinaigrette. Brady
said Steve & Rocky's sells 100 pounds of perch every week,
so you can't go wrong with this choice.
At lunch, I first tried the signature Chef Milos Mush-
room Soup — named for Certified Master Chef Milos
Cihelka of the late, great Golden Mushroom restaurant
in Southfield. Allen trained under him. The broth had
plenty of mushrooms and a creamy, rich texture but was
a tad salty for my taste. I had no issues with the lightly
smoked and poached salmon with artichokes and capers
in vermouth. Another entree I personally recommend is
Chicken Scaloppini Saute Oscar with its crab and shrimp
cake, Bearnaise sauce and sauteed potatoes.
Ever-changing main courses, tapas and soups are the
rule here, although seasonal favorites, such as butternut
squash soup, will be listed daily until spring. The Lunch
Box is a varying, complete meal with protein, salad,
starch or vegetable, and dessert, brought to the table in a
compartmentalized, Japanese-style bento box. The price
fluctuates: A special featuring meatloaf would be $9.25
while it's $12.25 with grilled yellow fin tuna.
Save some room because five tempting, house-made
treats will be showing up on the dessert tray. The pastry
chef changes the selections of pies,
cakes, cheesecakes, etc., almost week-
ly. Hope that he's made the delight-
ful Chocolate Raspberry Mousse.
Dining room manager Veronica
Fedorko is part of Steve & Rocky's
winning team. Another is pianist
Mike Magner, who provides
easy-listening music Tuesday
through Saturday. On New
Year's Eve, guests will hear him
as part of a trio. LiT
Steve & Rocky's
431 50 Grand River Ave.
Novi, M148375
(248) 374-0688
www.steveandrockys.com
$$$ out of $$$$
BAR FLY
BAR FLY HIT PARADE
• On the Spot Impression:1 love Orchid!
This is a great place for a night on the town.
It's a fun place to go with a group of friends
and to grab some cheap drinks before 11
p.m. I love how they play music videos in
the bar," says Lisa McCarthy of Dearborn.
• Drink Cost:Thursday through Saturday
Orchid features $2 drinks before 11 p.m.
The drink cost average after 11 p.m. is $5 for
drinks and $3.75 for beer.
• Clientele:The crowd is mixed from 21 up
to about 40.There is no dress code. You'll
see everything from people in jeans and
T-shirts to people dressed to the nines in
evening attire.
• Music:Thursday night features local
favorite cover band the Killer Flamingos,
who play a variety of danceable hits that
are pop, rock and electronica. Friday night
features DJ Paul and DJ Bethany, and Satur-
day night features live entertainment and
DJ Rikki and DJ Mikki. Every night features a
variety of hot club hits that'll get you on the
floor to dance the night away.
• Bar Appeal: Orchid is great for a night out
with friends for a birthday party, a girls or
guys night out, a bachelorette party or to
blow off some steam and just dance.
• Accessibility: Parking is metered and on
the street; there also are metered parking
lots.There are two entrances to Orchid,
through the front door off of Nine Mile
Road or the back door on Troy Street.
• Queue Factor: There is no cover before 10
p.m. and a $5 cover charge afterward. You
can print out a free pass for Fridays by
going to Orchid's website at
orchidferndale.com .The bar also features a
heated outdoor patio. There is no kitchen,
but they have free pizza at last call.
• Location and Hours: 141 W. Nine Mile
Road, Ferndale. (248) 506-6586.Thursday-
Saturday 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
6 January 2012 I
RED TilltrilD
Orchid in Full Bloom
Orchid brings a new sparkle to
Ferndale's nightlife.
By Natalie Sugarman
ooking for a new hot spot to dance the night away? Orchid can fill that
desire and then some.
The new nightclub is owned by Nick Cerulli, who also owns Luna, a
dance club located in Royal Oak on South Main Street.
Upon entering Orchid, you'll see that the 5,600-square-foot dance
club has a high ceiling, giving the place a big open feel, plus a sparkling
silvery floor, colorful lights and about 16 flat screens, which line the walls
and play dance-music videos. The dance floor is at the center of the club,
where a large silver curtain hangs from the ceiling. It gives the place a glit-
tering backdrop as people hit the floor to get their groove on.
A number of private
booths and tables can
be reserved if you call
ahead.The bar runs along
one side of the building,
where you'll find the lovely
bartending ladies of Orchid
dressed sassy and sexy.
Toward the other side of
the venue, you'll find the
DJ booth and a stage for
nights that feature live
entertainment.
The bar starts to fill up
around 11 p.m., and the crowd is an eclectic mix of people, with an age
range somewhere between 21 and about 40.This is definitely a great spot
to check out with a group of friends for a night filled with fun, drinks and
dancing.
Orchid brings a new energy to Ferndale, adding to the variety of dance
clubs in town. Because seriously, not everyone wants to go to Boogie
Fever, which has proclaimed itself as "Home of the Cougars." RT
I
RED THREAD BAR NIGHT
Join us from 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Mosaic Restaurant in
Detroit's Greektown for Red Thread's first Bar Night of the year. Let's get
together, partake of some delightful beverages and shoot the breeze.
Hors d'oeuvres will be provided. Cash bar. Bring some friends, and say
hello. Please RSVP to kfarber' renmedia.us.
Frozen Family Fun,
Eric Carle and More
PLYMOUTH ICE FESTIVAL
Pony rides, a petting farm, world-class live ice carving,
a dueling chainsaw speed-carving show, an ice throne
photo op plus more than 100 glistening ice sculptures
scattered throughout
Kellogg Park are just a
few of the free, family-
friendly activities at the
Plymouth Ice Festival,
the oldest and largest
ice-carving event in
North America, which
celebrates its 30th
anniversary this year.
Don't forget to visit
the warming area and
sample hot chocolate,
elephant ears, cider
and more. 3-9 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 20-22.
Kellogg Park, across from the Penn Theatre,
760 Penniman Ave., Plymouth. (248) 960-0700;
plymouthicefestival.org.
WINTERFEST
Want more heart-warming frigid fun? Head to the
Lyon Township Winterfest for sled-dog rides, ice
fishing, outdoor ice skating, an igloo-building contest,
cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, a GPS treasure hunt,
a kids' game zone and more, in between warming up in
heated tents and sampling the entries in the chili/soup/
stew cook-off. The free day of family fun takes place 11
a.m-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21.
James Atchison Park, located behind the Lyon Township
Municipal Center, 58000 Grand River Ave., New Hudson.
(248) 437-2240; southlyonchamber.com .
ELMO'S SUPER
HEROES
It's a bird! It's a plane!
It's Super Grover! And
he's landing at the Fox
with everyone's favorite
red monster, along with
Abby Cadabby, Telly
Monster and more in Sesame Street Live's Elmo's Super
Heroes. Thursday, Jan. 26-Sunday, Feb. 12. $12-$65.
Fox Theatre, Detroit. (313) 471-6611 or (800) 745-3000;
olympiaentertainment.com or ticketmaster.com .
TREASURED
STORIES
Fans of children's
writer and illustrator
Eric Carle will adore
Treasured Stories
of Eric Carle. The
Mermaid Theatre of
Nova Scotia brings
its elegant stage
adaptation of some
of his most beloved
works, including
the Very Hungry
Caterpillar, Brown
Bear, Brown Bear
What Do You See?
and Papa Please Get
the Moon For Me, to
town. For ages 3 and
up. 2 p.m. Saturday,
Jan. 28. $7-$17.
Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 350 Madison,
Detroit. (313) 887-8500; musichalLorg.
DETROIT TOY STORIES
Share a trip down Memory Lane with your own kids
and their grandparents: More than 7,000 vintage games,
dollhouses, hula hoops, pedal cars, toy soldiers and more
from the Detroit Historical Society's collection, plus vid-
eos of historic wind-up toys and classic toy commercials,
will be on display at the Detroit Historical Museum
through May 27. Play stations invite visitors to play
games that have stood the test of time, like Slinky, Etch-
A-Sketch, Operation and checkers, while personal stories
and photos from Metro Detroiters reminiscing about
the toys that made their childhood special are scattered
throughout the exhibit.
Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit.
(313) 833-7935; detroithistoricaLorg.
— By Lynne Konstantin
www.redthreadmagazine.com