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Welcome, New Hellas!
Greek restaurant opens with the traditional taste and allure.
I
f the opening weeks are any indication
Back to the food at New
... and, many times, they are ... then
Hellas, which, of course, is
the recent opening of the New Hellas
among the usual indication
authentic Greek restaurant looks like the
that a restaurant will obtain
beginning of a successful endeavor.
acceptance ... Chef Demetrios'
Time is usually the best judge, but it is
resolve for only top-quality
victuals in preparing his fine
very possible that New Hellas, located on
the former site of Morels, Northwestern
Greek presentations is well
Highway south of 14 Mile, Farmington
noted ... It is not difficult to
Hills, is making inroads toward its desired
immediately realize that, thus
goal.
far, New Hellas lives up to
Much of the authentic Greek food, with-
Demetrios' fervent standards
... This is very important and
out a doubt, might be among the best any-
where in this region ... This is in no small
must not be deviated from.
measure due to the on-premises personage
As a result, his double-cut lamb chops
of Executive Chef Demetrios "Jimmy"
are tender, prime and tasty ... No stringy-
Papatriantafyllou, lauded for his expertise
looking or overly chewy lamb chops here
in authentic Greek dining ... He was also
that are so often prevalent at some other
Greek dining operations ... Another big
former co-owner with Gus Anton of the
onetime Hellas Cafe in Greektown, Detroit, seller, Lamb Reganato, is highly received,
among various stints.
as are the chick-
Its trained, expe-
en meatballs,
rienced wait staff
broiled stuffed
may become a top
salmon and
attraction because
so many other
of the paramount
excellent menu
server skill demanded
selections.
Many of
by Demetrios and
well-known, likable
Demetrios' spe-
General Manager Tony
cialty items may
Hadjisofroniou.
or may not be on
New Hellas is among Tony Hadjisofroniou and Demetrios
the menu, but
Papatriantafyllou
the more beautiful res-
are always avail-
taurants in Michigan,
able ... Dishes,
with Grecian-themed wall paintings amid
too, that might be remembered from his
seating for more than 300 persons ...
days heading Greektown kitchens, like
Tables and booths in the main room and
Demetrios' stuffed items that include egg-
tables and chairs in four varied rooms
plant, tomato, squash, peppers, etc.
... Another 60 is split between two (20
Also a wonderful chicken breast stuffed
and 40) outdoor patios overlooking
with pine nuts, corn bread, vegetables, etc.
Northwestern Highway ... Also, a large,
... His non-meat dishes, too, are popularly
elegant, well-stocked, mahogany bar has
requested, as is the whole sea bass and tra-
its own glassed-in room with 16 bar stools, ditional Greek favorites.
24 occupants at six four-top tables and
Chef Demetrios comes in mornings at
another six at a separate counter that over- 3 a.m. to begin preparations for that day's
looks the main dining room.
fresh presentations ... New Hellas is a
PRIME 29
seven-day a week operation
... Present hours have it open
Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10
p.m.; Friday-Sunday, 11-11.
The site that was originally
intended to be the Mykonos
Greek restaurant, but was
sidetracked into becoming the
ill-fated Morels, is earning the
seals of approval by aficionados
of authentic Greek cuisine ... It
is also apparent that New Hellas
is not only gaining even more
dining customer approval but becoming a
desired venue for varied celebrations as well.
Most of the essentials necessary for the
successful opening of a restaurant have
thus far been met ... There are always
slight tweaks that all new restaurants must
go through ... People should not expect
perfection when a new restaurant opens
... Every restaurant ... with very rare
exceptions ... has opening snags of some
sort and most are soon corrected ... New
Hellas authentic Greek restaurant has left
the gate at what looks to be a fast pace.
Time will now tell.
IF HIS FACE LOOKS familiar, he's
the same Pat Elwell who formerly owned
Stewart's, Shalea Inn and Patrick's restau-
rants since 1964.
Pat's Elwell's Grill, celebrating its first anni-
versary in December, is at the same location
the restaurants have been for almost 50 years
... on Auburn Road between Squirrel and
Adams in Auburn Hills.
Folks who remember will hardly forget
his wonderful American dishes ... most of
them are today still being served ...includ-
ing the whitefish broiled in lemon butter
and white wine, meatloaf made on prem-
ises, frog legs, etc.
NEW MANAGING PARTNER at Prime
29 steakhouse and seafood restaurant,
15 Mile just east of Orchard Lake Road,
West Bloomfield, is no stranger to folks
in the northwest area ... Stoli Liti was a
former nine-year server and management
team member at Bacco Ristorante on
Northwestern, Southfield.
Prime 29, by the way, now has a whopper
menu addition that the gent who eats up a
storm hosting the Man vs. Food TV show on
the Travel Channel might be hard-pressed
to chow down by himself ... A three-pound,
prime Tomahawk steak (48 ounces), two-
pound lobster tail (24 ounces), a pound of
mashed potatoes and a pound of vegetables
... (total weight, about 61/2 lbs.) ... $267 ...
Many times, it takes more than one person at
Prime 29 to devour the biggie.
CORRECTION DEPT. ... Correct date
of the always-awaited Grub Crawl by West
Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce and
Rotary Club, is Thursday, Oct. 3, 6-9 p.m.
QUESTION & ANSWER DEPT.... "My
mother, Ruth Steiner, was a member of the
City of Hope in California. I was too young
to join it here, but I remember her telling
me that you were Zsa Zsa Gabor's escort
when she was here for the City of Hope. She
was one of my favorite actresses. Was that
her real name?" ... Sheryl Steiner Lieberman.
[No, it was Sara Gabor.]
OLDIE BUT GOODIE DEPT. ... Joe
had passed away, and his attorney stood
before the family and read out Joe's will.
"To my dear wife, Esther, I leave the
house, 50 acres of land and $1 million. To
my son, Barry, I leave my Cadillac, Jaguar
convertible and $500,000. To my daughter,
Suzie, I leave my yacht, Corvette Stingray
convertible and $500,000.
"To my brother-in-law Jeff, who always
insisted that health is better than wealth, I
leave my treadmill:'
CONGRATS ... To Karrie Slominski
on her birthday ... To Lisa Ingram on her
birthday ... To Samuel Gun on his birthday
... To Howard Falich on his birthday.
❑
Danny's address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net .
Reserve Your Holiday Event Prior to October 31st, 2013
and Receive a Complimentary Champagne Toast for You and All of Your Guests
STEAKS • SEAFOOD • COCKTAILS
Make Someone's Day A Little
Extraordinary By Treating Them To
A Gift Card from Prime29
M1-4 91/tAMMMEI
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•
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IME 21
GIFT CARD
54
September 19 • 2013
JN
onfact Our rneral
aj Manager Stoli Liti at 248.737.7463 or Email at stoli@prime29steakhouse.com
For More Information or To Schedule a Tour. Professional & Experienced Party Planning Support.
FOR RESERVATIONS I 248.73.PRIME (77463) I prime29steakhouse.com
6545 Orchard Lake Rd. West Bloomfield, MI 48322