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Where There's Smoke, There's Flavor!

Smoke Street Bar-B-Que in Milford does it right.

D

estination dining has always been
sellout.
a major asset in many restaurant
Ownership of Smoke Street
successes ... And now, with the
is by Elia Nicholas and Greg
sudden surge of smoked meat eateries,
Mitchell, grandsons of the original
people have a wide choice of the better ones
Mitch's founders, Ella and George
when seeking this style of dining.
Mitchell, and Elia's nephew Tom
Among those restaurants gaining much
Nevells.
noted recognition is Smoke Street Bar-B-
Elia, who has been in the res-
Que, North Main Street, Milford ... Former
taurant game since he was 11
site of Brian Polcyn's Five Lakes Grill ... On
years old, had ambitions of going
various visits, people from the Metropolitan
into this type of dining operation
Detroit area don't mind traveling the 25
because of its difference ... But
minutes or so ... especially when discover-
mainly not to do its prepara-
ing that it is a Mitch's restaurant.
tions in haphazard ways just because of a
The Mitch's name has been an exalted
new concept ... His idea of smoking and
one for more than 60 years ... and one that
marinating of items include fresh daily fare
countless people of all ages will hardly for-
... and all sauces, side dishes and desserts
get ... This is among
made solely on
the restaurant group's
the premises ... in
first dining ventures
accordance with
not using the Mitch's
the Southern way
name and its usual
of doing smoking
style of food presen-
and barbecuing
tation, but certainly
... And the down-
keeping its many noted
South presenta-
virtues such as low
tions of home-
prices, fresh high-qual-
made cornbread,
ity food, precious ser-
Bananas Foster,
vice and, certainly not
bread pudding,
least, its many styles of Tom Nevells, Elia Nicholas and Greg
etc.
Mitchell
food preparation.
One year in
Smoking food prop-
business may
erly is an art ... If not done correctly, it is
not tell much, but the attachment with the
just another kitchen gimmick ... A good
Mitch's name certainly does.
smokehouse does not prepare its food in
READER MINI REVIEW ... From Jerry
pots and pans, or even ovens, like so many
Naftaly ... "I recently had the opportunity
do to cut corners and increase profits.
to dine at Kravings, the newest kosher res-
Being a so-called Mitch's restaurant may
taurant to open in Oak Park. Aaron Tobin
be a new thing for this name, but you don't
and I sampled some of the specialties.
go around spending $50,000 for a smoker
"Thursday is Cholent Night, and Aaron
that allows marinated brisket, for example,
selected this as his entree. He described it
to smoke for 15 hours or chicken for five
as classic and delicious with a large portion
hours, unless you have serious intent to be
of meat. It was such a large serving that he
among the very best ... This includes the
took home leftovers.
excellent smoking and barbecuing of beef
"Kravings has a large number of entree
ribs along with the usual, and the present-
plates sold by the pound. I ordered the
ing of burnt ends, which is almost always a
non-beef sampler and thoroughly enjoyed

Try Our New Boneyard
Beef Ribs!

a chicken shwarma skewer, a
slice of smoked turkey breast,
chicken tidbits that were very
light, sweet potatoes, mashed
potatoes, broccolini, corn
salad and coleslaw.
"Kravings also has a large
assortment of sushi, which
is very popular. Aaron and I
split a vegetarian Cucumber
Avocado Roll with wasabi,
ginger and 'eel' sauce on the
side. It was a very good choice.
"Kravings is a welcome addition to the
dining scene in Oak Park. I enjoyed my
first visit to Kravings very much, and have
returned several times for take-outs of
grilled chicken breast, tuna salad, Oriental
chicken and salmon:'
THE FIRST IN what is expected to be
many out-of-state franchise operations
is the opening soon in Chicago of locally
based Sweet Lorraine's Fabulous Mac n
Cheez! ... "Chicago is relatively close,"
says Gary Sussman, husband/partner with
Lorraine Platman, "so we can keep an eye
on it" ... The first local franchise opened
recently in Detroit's Renaissance Center ...
Another Detroit location is set to open in
the first quarter of 2015 in Midtown near
the Wayne State University campus.
"We feel that Mac n Cheez! is different
and the first of its kind," continues Gary.
"There is no other concept like this. It's all
about the flavor; everything is made fresh
and to order. Nothing is left sitting around:'
The comfort food creations include 14
kinds of vegetarian and meat-topped mac-
aroni-and-cheese dishes, plus salads, sand-
wich wraps, vegan and gluten-free soups, etc.
PEOPLE MIGHT LOOK at the outside
sign and feel that it may be a bit misleading
... There are very few gifts at Gift of India
in West Bloomfield Plaza, Orchard Lake
Road, south of 15 Mile, West Bloomfield ...
It is mainly a carryout of many selections of
very good Indian food.

851-7000

MANDALOUN BISTRO

Catering for all Occasions • Carry-Out • Our Speciality "Low Carb Ribs & Chicken & Lamb Ribs"

❑

Danny's email is dannyraskin®sbcglobal.net .

The finest and highest quality of
foods, fresh ingredients, and
world-class service in an elegant
and appetizing environment.

30100 Telegraph Rd., Suite 130
Bingham Farms

Complimentary

www.mandalounbistro.com

with a purchase of two dinners

248.723.7960

cluding tax, tip and beverages • With this ad • Dine in only • Expires 12/17/14. JN
Not valid on Holidays

BEST BETS OF THE WEEKEND ...

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4-6
... The Scintas at Andiamo Celebrity
Showroom in Warren ... The wonderful
Karen Newman is on Sunday, Dec. 7.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE DEPT. ... A fel-
low and his girlfriend were out to dinner
one night. The waiter tells them the night's
specials are chicken almondine and fresh fish.
"The chicken sounds good. I'll have that:'
the woman says.
The waiter nods. 'And the vegetable?" he
asks.
"Oh, he'll have the fish," she replies.
CONGRATS ... To Russi Arden on her
birthday ... To Rita Geiringer on her birth-
day ... To Dr. Fred Bernstein on his 86th
birthday ... To James "Jimmy" and Susan
"Susie" Gottfurcht on their 52nd anniversa-
ry ... To Michael and Helene Rose on their
25th anniversary.

MICHIGAN'S PREMIER LEBANESE EATERY

Orchard Lake Rd. South of 14 Mile • Farmington Hills

pi

46 YEARS AGO, Mario Fallone and his
two sons, John and Michael, bought Cantoro's
Italian Market on Middlebelt, Livonia.
It still stands as a fine market owned by
them ... But less than a year ago, they also
erected a completely new structure consid-
ered today one of the finest combination
operations of a supermarket, restaurant, etc.
... with just a slight name change to Cantoro's
Italian Market and Trattoria, Haggerty,
between Five and Six Mile roads, Plymouth.
Seating is at tables in two rooms and 16
stools at a bar ... A downstairs wine cel-
lar is used for small meetings or events ...
Upstairs is for private parties of about 200,
and is also a place where folks can eat car-
ryout ... The many choices of carryouts
boggle the mind, including many Italian
pastries seen in both homes and restaurants.
Folks recognize its manager, Diana
Smalley, from her years with chef/owner
Brian Polcyn at Five Lakes Grill and dining
room manager/sommelier at the former
Morels in Bingham Farms.

Appetizer

HOURS:

Monday through Thursday 10am -10pm
Sunday 4pm -10pm • Friday 10am-11 pm
Saturday 4pm -11 pm

With Coupon. Not valid with other offers .

MANDALOUN BISTRO

SxrrHos I 2/ 31

I /I

1963890

60

December 4 • 2014

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