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'Passionately Authentic'

Cafe Cortina has the ambiance of the Italian countryside.

T

he awards don't stop coming, like
When Cafe Cortina opened
those of Wine Spectator, whose
its doors in 1976, the late
Award of Excellence it has received
Adriano Tonon and wife, Rina,
every year since 1995, among other fine
planted an on-site garden that
wine and dining accolades.
provided a bounty of heirloom
And as they pile up, so does the popular-
tomatoes, peppers and herbs
ity garnered as one of this region's most
used in crafting succulent
popular Italian restaurants.
menu items ... It became one
Now celebrating its 36th anniversary
of America's first restaurants
is Cafe Cortina, 10 Mile, east of Orchard
with garden-to-table recogni-
Lake Road, Farmington Hills ... Although
tion as a pioneer in this locally
considered a fine dining upscale Italian res-
infused philosophy ... Today,
taurant, it would rather be noted as a warm
such garden-to-table practices
and informally intimate one ... With recog-
are trendy at eateries world-
nition of its unparalleled customer service,
wide ... Cafe Cortina places this together
authentic world-class cuisine and intimate
with sourcing the freshest ingredients from
European charm.
Michigan, California and Italy.
"In my estimation, the term fine dining
Cafe Cortina presents much dedication
is a thing of the past:' says Adrian Tonon,
in the preserving of true Italian cooking
co-owner with mother,
with ingredients and
Rina Tonon. "We would
recipes from small
rather be known for a
Italian towns that
passionately authentic
have perfected the
Italian experience with
art of what they do
loving attention to our
best ... Vegetarians
food and service
and vegans visit the
As a result, for
restaurant often for
dependable Italian
specialty dishes that
dining, people from
they, too, can enjoy.
all over the world have
And Cafe Cortina
made Cafe Cortina a
also takes much pride
Adrian Tonon and mother, Rina Tonon
definite stop while in
in the elegant and
this region ... A must
casual wedding des-
by persons from all
tination built by Rina
walks of life and restaurateurs who enjoy
and their director of private events, Tammy
the relaxed setting and food ... All dining
Chavez, who has been with the restaurant
perhaps on caccio e pepe (artisan pasta with 34 of its 36 years ... It has become so popu-
pecorino cheese) from Rome or pesce tireno lar that intended brides and grooms are
(fish with a Mediterranean sauce) from
thrilled to be wed there amid the unique
Naples, etc.
and artisan Italian setting ... Recognition,
They seek out this casual Italian country-
too, is as one of this area's premier year-
side vineyard setting in Farmington Hills,
round destinations that also include cor-
where the menu reflects traditional region-
porate meetings, holiday events, etc. with
ally influenced Italian food from 150 years
deliverance of an experience steeped in
ago, presented in an exquisite and modern
tradition and hospitality.
way.
Another Cafe Cortina feature that has

gained much prominence is
the development of distinctive
Italian sauces that Rina and
Adrian began back in 1998
from recipes of his grand-
mother, Santina Merolla, Rina's
mother, and Adriano ... The
four sauces are now in hun-
dreds of markets around the
country ... Among the first
here to carry them being Jim
Hiller and his Hiller's Markets.
Cafe Cortina is open
Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-10
p.m. ... and Saturday, 5-11 p.m. ... Seating
is 100 in the main dining room and another
100 in three private rooms and patio set-
tings.
Entrees include salad, house-made stone-
oven bread and house-made pasta ... If
desired, just the entree and salad may be
had.
Never resting on its laurels, Cafe Cortina
is well-known for its innovative ways ... Yet
it is constantly relentless in its focusing on
Rina's, Adriano's and Adrian's continuous
philosophy and mission of genuine warmth
and true Italian dining experience.
DANDY DINING DEAL ... Super lunch
special, Mondays-Saturdays, 11 a.m-4 p.m. ...
Choice of 18 favorite menu entrees plus egg
roll, chicken fried rice and tea ... $6.50 ...
Golden Phoenix, Sugar Tree Plaza, Orchard
Lake, north of 15 Mile, West Bloomfield.
READER MINI REVIEW ... From
Dennis Silber ... "Although Boca Raton has
an abundance of wonderful Italian restau-
rants, Debbie and I like to go to places like
Pompano Beach for another fine experience.
"We recently went to Gianni's in
Pompano, where the fragrance of garlic fills
the air. Its hearts of romaine salad is one
of the best, a full romaine leaf covered in
gorgonzola cheese and a balsamic oil mix.
Gianni's delicious garlic rolls are totally
immersed in a garlic base, but, if wanted,

the servers also offer them dry.
"Our entrees were Snapper Francese with
the fish freshly caught every morning. On
another visit, I had the Snapper Oreganato,
both wonderful delights. Two in our recent
party had the Snapper Francese, another the
popular Chicken Gianni stuffed with spin-
ach, and a fourth chose the Osso Buco veal
shank that just about fell off the bone
OLDIE BUT GOODIE DEPT....
Three very pious rabbis were playing golf.
Mulhaney was on the course and asked
them if he could make up a fourth. They
invited him to join them. At the end of 18
holes, his score was 104. The rabbis had
shot 69, 70 and 71. He says to the rabbis,
"How come you guys shoot such good golf?"
One rabbi says, "When you lead a reli-
gious life, join and attend the right syna-
gogue, you are rewarded:'
Mulhaney, a true lover of golf, thinks,
"What have I got to lose?" He finds a syna-
gogue near his home, converts to Judaism,
joins the synagogue, regularly attends ser-
vices and leads a holy life.
A year later, he again plays golf with
the three rabbis. He shoots a 104 and they
shoot a 69, 70 and 71. He says to them,
"OK, I converted, joined a synagogue, live a
religious life and I still shoot a 104. What's
the deal?"
"What synagogue did you join?" asks the
rabbi.
"Beth Joseph" is the reply.
The rabbi retorts, "Shlemiel, that one is
for tennis!"
CONGRATS ... To Muriel "Murt"
Sherbow on her 88th birthday ... To Jennifer
Gussin on her birthday ... To Darren Gussin
on his birthday ... To Blanche Crane on her
birthday ... To Victor Koblin on his 85th
birthday ... To Al and Marilyn Frommer on
their 52nd anniversary.

❑

Danny's email is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.

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March 28 • 2013