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Mom Pop Home Cooking Yummy!

Siegel's Deli stirs nostalgia for the husband-and-wife delis of old.

T

he memories of mom-and-pop
excellent blueberry, apple and
Jewish delicatessens linger among cherry strudels, which sell so
many younger guys and gals who
fast that people many times ask
join parents and grandparents in wishing
before dining to make certain
that they were still around.
the kind they desire is saved.
Katz's owned by Jimmy and Sally Kati;
There is a quality to Boris'
Stage by Jack and Harriet Goldberg;
chicken soup that makes it a
Irving's by Irving and Rose Guttman, etc.
favorite ... Very little salt, not
There still exists within our midst a
the kind that brings squints
Jewish mom-and-pop, family-owned-
to faces, accompanied by his
and-operated Jewish delicatessen on
own handmade matzah balls or
Maple Road west of Haggerty, Commerce
Angela's kreplach ... The sort of
Township ... It may not be exactly like the
chicken soup that bring smiles
Jewish delicatessens of yesteryears, but
to people while warming the
then again, what deli is? ... In the minds
innards with satisfactory taste.
of many, Siegel's comes close ... One where
Being a mom-and-pop delicatessen,
most of the Jewish dishes are made only by
gratification is mainly in its kitchen where
them, directly on the restaurant premises.
self-ownership takes much pride in the
Old standbys like chicken soup with
preparations.
oodles of noodles not little pasta swirls,
Today's economic pressures require fair-
and its own matzah balls or kreplach,
ness in lower pricing ... A true mom-and-
sweet and sour cabbage soup, short ribs,
pop operation finds it much easier to con-
blintzes, knishes, roasted chicken, corned
tinue low prices while still giving superior
beef hash, stuffed cabbage, vegetarian or
preparations without lessening portions or
meat or turkey-stuffed peppers, potato
quality of products.
lathes, etc. ... Also, its own Salisbury steak
As a good neighborhood mom-and-
with turkey and turkey
pop family sit-down
burgers that are molded
delicatessen, Siegel's
and prepared at the
holds a priceless key ...
restaurant ... Boris and
One that tomorrow will
Angela Israilov even buy
again open its doors to
the corned beef brisket
an appreciative waiting
raw and cook it them-
public.
selves at their deli.
LATEST TO JOIN
In the restaurant busi-
the rapidly growing
ness, it is one thing to
sushi dining parade is
gain an approved reputa- Boris and Angela Israilov
Vineyards Marketplace
tion ... And another to
on Northwestern
maintain it ... In Siegel's case, it has gone
Highway between Middlebelt and 14
even further, ceasing to be only a close-by
Mile, Farmington Hills ... But owner Ron
convenience as people come from other
Asmar is doing his own thing by having
areas for many of its dishes at affordable
fresh daily premises-made vegetarian
prices ... Premises-made stuffed cab-
sushi for both dine-in and carryout ...Its
bage and stuffed peppers by Angela ... Or
Macro Sushi is completely organic veg-
her knishes, cheese blintzes and so much
gie, but sushi with lox is also available on
more, including without question, her
request.

A big thing, too, is that
Vineyards' Macro Sushi
rolls are prepared only with
healthy brown rice, not white.
READER MINI REVIEW
... From Wendy Fayne
"Nestled in the rear of a
Mexican grocery store on
North Perry in downtown
Pontiac is La Mexicana,
where while eating one feels
like being in a supermercado
(grocery store) in Cancun of
the Riviera Maya.
"The food served at La Mexicana is
the most authentic I have had of any
Mexican restaurant in this area. Start with
a bountiful Botana or hot and spicy Queso
Fundido, and you'll feel like you are in the
heart of Mexico. The homemade sauces of
all taste and heat levels accompany chips
that are always warm when served.
"Its Chili Relleno is the best I have ever
had, and while it has some kick, it isn't
overwhelmingly hot. If it is hot you want,
order the Camarones Diabla which are
shrimp in a fiery hot sauce only the devil
could have conceived.
"The enchiladas, burritos and even
tacos are true standouts. La Mexicana's
refried beans and rice are deliciously
unique as well. I also discovered the taste
of chivo for the first time and found that
it is goat that doesn't taste like chicken but
certainly is delicious.
"Because La Mexicana has a bakery on
the premises as well, you won't go away
without satisfying your taste for some-
thing sweet. I have been to La Mexicana
time and again and found that it towers
above most others"
MANY TIMES WHAT sounds like a
very strange concoction turns out to be
a restaurant favorite ... Like the togeth-
erness that Darlene Peterson, manager
at the Buddy's Pizza on Northwestern,

Farmington Hills, had Wes Picula, vice
president of operations and development,
try ... Result is the creamy coleslaw topped
with crumbled bleu cheese that is going
over big.
QUESTION & ANSWER DEPT. ... "I
bet that in your travels to Las Vegas you
never saw the Two Bit Game Show that
was there' ... Sam Lichter
[You're right, Sam, I never did ... But I
still got a quarter out of it ... The shiny
25-cent piece was inside an invitation to
attend the opening years ago of localite
George Young's new show there.]
WHAT DOES preparing and presenting
food have to do with teaching math, sci-
ence, chemistry and life skills? ... Probably
nothing you might say ... But it is among
the reasons why Ruth Hurwitz, special ed
teacher at Pattengill Elementary School in
Berkley, will be honored at a banquet at
Farina's of Berkley, Feb. 28, on her selection
as Pattengill's Teacher of the Year.
A part of Ruth's unique programs is tak-
ing severely challenged students in grades
2-5 on field trips to local supermarkets to
read recipes, learn about measurements,
etc., and restaurants where they realize the
value of money and how it relates to what
a person eats.
She and hubby, Harvey Hurwitz, are
members of Temple Emanu-El, whose
annual Chili Cookoff and Bingo is slated
for Sunday, March 18 ... Ruth Hurwitz
may not have a chili entry this year but
certainly has ingenious ways of teaching
kids how to count their beans.
CONGRATS ... To Rose Kaluzny on
her 90th birthday ... To Larry Sherman
on his birthday ... (Correction, to Debby
Haberman, not Debbie Hoberman on
her birthday) ... To Dr. Bernard "Bergie"
Maza on his 75th birthday ... To Toby and
Naomi Breuer on their 50th anniversary.

❑

Danny's email is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net .

Andiamo Bloomfield

SILVER OAK WINE DINNER

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP

with special Guest, Tom Johnson, of Silver Oak Cellars

Tuesday, March 6, 2012 I 7-9pm I RSVP to (248) 865-9300

Join us fbr a delicious 4-Course menu, paired with the wines of Silver Oak!

Menu: Antipasto Rustico, Salmon con Fungo e Formaggio, $75
Bracciolino di Came Con Ragu, Tiramisu all Amaretto

46

February 16 • 2012

iN

per person

plus tax & gratuity

SILVER OAK