metro >> Out To Eat

Dry Era Ends I
ylvan La

A Taste 0 to

JN diners pick their favorite Italian restaurants.

I

Mike Larco's A La Carte first
to serve liquor there since
Prohibition.

N

o one, not even the owners of Mike Larco's A La Carte,
2440 Orchard Lake Road, thought that the city of Sylvan
Lake would ever allow liquor licenses for restaurants to
sell liquor by the glass. But history has been made, as Larco's was
granted the very first restaurant liquor license — the first to have
one since Prohibition.
Accomplishing this feat was no easy task. In 1919, prohibition
banned the sale of spirits in any form across the nation. When
prohibition was repealed, all communities nationwide were given
a limited time opportunity to legislate sales in their communi-
ties. Sylvan Lake opted to retain the prohibition ban on the sale of
liquor by the glass. Despite two earlier ardent attempts since then
to over turn this rule, the citizens of Sylvan Lake voted down pro-
posals by narrow margins.
The owners of Mike Larco's A La Carte were successful in gath-
ering enough signatures to get a new proposal on the ballot in
November 2013 and persuading the public that selling liquor by the
glass would be a positive thing for the city. On Nov. 5, Sylvan Lake
residents were once again given the right to vote on the proposal
to allow the sale of liquor by the
glass.
"I remember that Election
Day like it was yesterday:'
says owner Paul Mousley. "We
spent the entire day at the polls
encouraging a positive vote; and
after it was over, the results of
the election were approximately
80 percent in favor and 20 per-
cent against. But our quest was
just beginning. With the new
law in place, we returned to city
council and also the planning
commission to petition to allow
Paul Mousley
liquor sales in our restaurant:'
After a number of once-a-
month meetings, the city drafted its own regulations and ordinanc-
es regarding the sale of liquor by the glass in city limits. By unani-
mous consent, the city council granted Mike Larco's A La Carte that
right. The restaurant had its license in hand in late spring.
"We made history and paved the way for other establishments to
possibly sell liquor by the glass. However, each new applicant will
have to go through a similar process with the city council and plan-
ning commission as we did. Each new licensee will have to abide
by Sylvan Lake's regulations, and any new licensees will have us to
thank for laying the ground work for the law that allows them to
seek full liquor service," Mousley says.
The staff has been trained in full liquor service and Mousley says
they've already noticed a jump in their already famous happy hour
from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Diners have enjoyed excellent Italian cuisine at one Larco's or
another for more than 60 years. Their latest endeavor, Mike Larco's
A La Carte, was started in 2012. All the favorite Larco family dishes
from yesteryear, originated by founding Larco Brothers, Pete, Nick
and Mike, are on the menu, along with some newer ones. The new
twist is in the new name, in that all menu items are featured a la
carte, with very reasonable prices.
For more information call (248) 682-9500 or visit www.
mikelarcos.com.

❑

50

September 4 • 2014

Esther Allweiss
Ingber
Contributing
Writer

talian cuisine can be as basic and satisfying as spaghetti with meatballs or
upscale gourmet to tantalize both casual diners and foodies.
The health-conscious flock to classic Italian cooking for encompassing ele-
ments of the Mediterranean diet. This style of eating, the darling of dietitians,
focuses on antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, prudent use of non-saturated
nuts, whole grains that contain few of the unhealthy trans-fats, and always olive oil,
for cooking and dipping crusty chunks of bread.
Wine, with its own health properties, adds to the pleasure of a Mediterranean-
style meal. Meanwhile, red meat and other proteins play more limited roles.
Besides the health reasons, Italian food remains popular for being varied and
delicious. Five diners told the Jewish News about the places and dishes that delight
them.

BACCO RISTORANTE

29410 Northwestern Highway
Southfield, MI 48034
(248) 356-6600
www.baccoristorante.com
Open 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-
Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday;
4-11 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday.

Who likes it and why? Carolyn

Silverstein of Franklin

Comments: "They have a lot

of Italian items I like. The best
appetizer I've ever tried was
a special called Bacco Garden
Zucchini Flower. A zucchini flower from the chef's own garden was stuffed with Mozzarella cheese,
Prosciutto and fresh basil, and then flash-fried. I've never had anything that good! Bacco also has a
fabulous wine cellar."

CAFE CORTINA

30715 W.10 Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48336
(248) 474-3033
Open 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Monday-Friday; 5-10 p.m.
Saturday; closed Sunday.

Who likes it and why? Ilene

Fruitman of Farmington Hills

Comments: "We've been

coming here for years
because they've got the best
food in Metro Detroit. This is
a classy place for special occasions and very elegant. They have a nice patio open for the summer.
Rina is the owner, and she's very gracious."

CARIERA'S RESTAURANT

6565 N. Telegraph Road
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
(313) 278-4060
www.carieras.com
Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-
Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday;
4-11 p.m. Saturday; 4-10 p.m.
Sunday.

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