arts & entertainment >> the best of everything - Moe Town Restaurateur hopes for industrial revitalization. p OTPOURRI His fingers must be sore from being crossed so much ... Again Moe Leon has hopes ... The owner of Leon's Family Dining across from the for- mer Ford Plant in Wixom, is experiencing the same feeling as he did when word came about battery and solar operations looking to open there ... Moe also owns Moe's on Ten, 10 Mile west of Haggerty, Novi, and is the kind of guy you hope has his dreams come true ... Townsend Energy Solutions, makers of automotive products out of Hunt Valley, Md., is among those approved for tax credits near his Wixom site. Moe Leon MAIL DEPT. ... "I write this realizing that someone will surely open a controver- sy among mavens from Detroit who grew up in the greatest deli town in America. Those of us who cut our teeth on the deli greats, Modern on Fenkell, Lieberman's, Ben & George, Boesky's, Stage in Oak Park and then West Bloomfield, Bread Basket, Darbys, Fredson's, Esquire, Bagel Nosh, Brother's plus all those I didn't name, will unanimously agree, unfortunately, that there is not one deli here in Boca Raton, Fla., that holds a knish to any of these Detroit super delicatessens. "Transplanted or snowbird Detroiters constantly ask each other, 'Have you found a good deli?' Naturally, one has good this or that, maybe chopped liver or borscht, but not one can come up to the succulent, tasty corned beef, pastrami or Dinty Moore that we all grew up on. It's interest- ing that conversation among Detroiters and even New Yorkers here is about 'someone making a fortune if they could come up with a great deli sand- wich'. "But that's all it is, just con- versation. Season by season goes by, and we all continue to kvell' and salivate for just one more 'taste of back home: "There are no shortage of deli's here in Boca Raton. Too-Jays, 3-Gs, Poppies, Bagel Twin, Flakowitz Bagels Inn, Ben's Kosher, Nestor's, Zingers, Palm Beach Deli and Deli on Rye. But invariably, a Detroiter sits there muttering, 'If only they could make this like so and so back home: Each of these mentioned, however present extensive menus, good-tasting foods and reasonable prices. "There are some deli comparables here but they can only be enjoyed by members at private club communities such as Boca West, Polo Club, Boca Pointe and a few others. The big question is 'Why can they do it for private club members, but us mere mortals cannot find a great pastrami sandwich, in any of the other places?' "Somebody somewhere has the ability I'm sure to bring the taste of old Detroit to Boca Raton where there are eager deli appetites waiting:' ... Dennis Silber THE NEW MENU doesn't list it ... Nor the old one either ... In fact it isn't served at too many places ... Numerous features not listed but always available at RJ's American Grill, Northwestern Hwy., south of 14 Mile, Farmington Hills, include a variation of traditional Chicken Puttanesca that I particularly enjoyed prepared by its fine Italian chef, rubber- gloved Giussepe Barilla... Chef Giussepe's rendition is made with artichokes, capers, finely chopped anchovies (optional), black and green olives, garlic and crushed red pepper ... All are deftly blended within a white wine and tomato sauce, $14, includ- ing soup or salad and side of pasta. ANOTHER HONOR comes to Cafe Cortina, West 10 Mile, east of Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills ... Rina and son Adrian Tonon's excellent Italian restaurant was selected as one of only three dining spots in Michigan featured with eateries across the United States in the 2012 issue of America's Top Restaurant Recipes by Chef Steven Williams ... The others are Assagi, Ferndale, and Bacco, Southfield. GOOD SERVER DEPT. ... Jola Bassin at Andiamo Bloomfield Township, Telegraph and 15 Mile ... A beautiful smile and many years of customer-pleas- ing experience ... 18 years with Machus Restaurants and opening formerly named Andiamo West in 1997, where she is still doing her efficient serving to appreciative customers. DANDY DINING DEAL ... (Repeat by reader requests) ... Three lamb chops, three homemade potato lathes (pancakes), and cup of soup and bread basket ... $6.95, one week only, Thursday, Dec. 29 through Jan. 5 ... New Year Special, same dates, lamb chops, 12 premises-made potato latkes (pancakes), and one cup of soup per person, $25 ... Both deals no coupons and available dine-in or carry- out ... Siegel's Deli, 15 Mile Road, just west of Haggerty, Commerce Township. QUESTION & ANSWER DEPT. ... "My husband and I love the Berkley Bistro and are thrilled to hear that it is thinking ( of opening another place. Can you tell us where it will be? We hope it will be close to where we live." ... Sally Emder [Sorry, Sally, but Berkley Bistro and Cafe on Coolidge, has closed its doors ... Many others also no doubt hope that its Executive Chef Tom Keshishian will bring his wonderful creations to their living sector ... Chef Tom is host of cable TV's Dining in the D and has been featured on WTVS Channel 56]. IF YOU HAVE any questions on exer- cise or healthy dining, health and exercise gent Jim Berk will be happy to answer them through this column ... When send- ing me the question, please include your name and telephone number. WITH THE MOVING soon of Roland Optics, longest-standing ten- ant at Applegate Square, Northwestern Highway and Inkster, Hershal Gross and his Clippers Barber Shop takes over as the shopping center's oldest occupant ... This year made it 33 years for Roland Optics ... Clippers has been cutting men's and wom- en's hair at Applegate for 15 years ... New location of Roland Optics near the end of January, will be across from Bloomfield Plaza on the corner of Telegraph and Maple, Bloomfield Hills. REUNION DEPT. ... Preparations have been set for the upcoming 50th reunion by the 1952 class of Mumford High, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, at Somerset Inn, Troy ... Contact Joanie Stegman Simon, 248-852- 0272 or at ragssimon@yahoo.com Chairpersons are Sharon Gould Eaton and Simcha "Sim" Shapiro. CONGRATS ... To Judy Markowitz on her 59th birthday ... To Debbie Friedman on her 59th birthday ... To Sam Cascade on his 100th birthday ... To Sue Seidman on her 60th birthday ... To Paula Duke on her 61st birthday. II Danny's email is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net . r I New Year's Eve I I I Party Special II FREE Sour Cream or Fudge Brownie Dessert With any Party Deli Tray $8.99 per person (10 person min) Order Now! I I Buy 1 lb of Corned Beef, Pastrami or Lean MICH ID Turkey Breast II Feed up to 4 for only $15.99 II Includes 1 lb of coleslaw or 1 IB old fashioned see store for more details expires 1 /1 3/1 2 Deli to Go Specials potato salad, Old and new kosher deli pickles, 1 LB Jewish Double Baked Rye, Deli Basket Russian dressing er Mustard I expires 1 /3/1 2 U' see store for more details L I Michigan Baskets, Gifts, Trays Guaranteed Holiday Delivery!! Detroit's Best Nova Lox $15.99 LB 248.855-9463 www.VineyardDeli.com 32418 Northwestern Hwy. between Middlebelt & 14 Mile 32 11111111111111111111, December 29 0 2011 'The Detroit News