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That Personal Touch

Attention to detail is the key to success for Steven Lelli's Inn.

I

n so many cases, the early years of a
done there.
new restaurant prove that the owner's
Much needed transforma-
belt is either notched with success or
tions are called "awareness of
is a frayed object for the trash can.
necessity" in the makings of a
Among the prime examples of suc-
top-class restaurant ... Things
cess is Steven Lelli's Inn On the Green,
that come only with sincere
12 Mile Road, between Halsted and
devotion and essential hands-
Haggerty, Farmington Hills.
on attention like that given
Going into its fifth year is not consid-
by the dedicated Zarkins
ered a lot, but enough to witness steady
One or both are there at all
improvement in all necessary phases of a times with a seemingly end-
successful restaurant endeavor.
less desire to continuously
Steven Lelli's has established itself as a
improve.
wonderful example of what watchful on-
And so very important, the personal
premises eyes and hard work will bring.
touch of owner or owners that brings
Other establishments fail because
people back ... This is an extremely sig-
the owner wasn't on the new ship after
nificant feature that is absent in many
it was launched ... One could be a fine
dining operations ... resulting in prob-
chef ... but not able to do justice to two
able eventual closure.
masters ... the restaurant itself and the
As example, very few restaurants
kitchen ... Everyday dedica-
in the nation can boast of
tion and presence in so many
something that has created
instances is most imperative
much stir and interest such
for successful endeavors in
as what Steven Lelli's did this
the restaurant business.
past summer ... It accom-
Running the front and
plished the almost impos-
behind-the-scenes is almost
sible by taking its modest
as important as the kitchen
outdoors veranda upstairs,
... A good solid restaurant
located next to the main din-
operation must have on-the-
ing room, and almost a half
spot attention ... Very few
million dollars later, magi-
1
A
restaurants can properly run
cally transforming it from a
by themselves without steady Mark Zarki n
mediocre outdoor-only porch
visible attention by an owner
into a lavish both indoor and
... For certain, not by those who might
outdoor wonder ... Slip-proof slate floor,
care less one way or another.
separate bar, enclosed sides and ceiling,
It was a semi-dilapidated sports bar
overhead fans for warm months and
restaurant when the presently named
heating system for cold periods ... Fire
Steven Lelli's Inn was taken over by
pits, soft lounge sofas and chairs, etc.
hard-working Mark and Fran Zarkin ...
In the four years of Steven Lelli's exis-
Major improvements and ultra-lavish
tence, customers have continued to see
transitions were necessary to make it the improvements that today have the look,
upscale dining emporium that it is today
feel and comfort that has undoubtedly
run into more than a million dollars in
... Hardly believable and little short of
amazing are the sights of what has been
changes of desire and need ... The result

... a true American beauty ...
coupled with the essence of
acclaimed Italian cuisine.

DANDY DINING DEAL

... Homemade Beef Stew ...
(with fresh beef, potatoes and
vegetables) ... Complete meal
also includes soup or salad
and bread basket ... $6.95 ...
10 days only, Thursday, Jan.
8, through Saturday, Jan. 17
... No coupons ... Siegel's
Deli, 15 Mile, just west of
Haggerty, Commerce Township.
THE RESTAURANT THAT so many
people passing by in cars may think is
closed because the outside looks so dark
... is very much open ... Evidence was on
a recent Saturday night at Redcoat Tavern
on Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield
... when a slight wait is the norm.
It is hard to beat a half-pound Redcoat
Tavern burger with the oodles of things
to put on them or the meat being low-fat
Piedmontese ... And the menu also is
filled with plenty of other good things to
eat ... The delicious baked onion soup is
listed as just that ... not wrongly called
French onion soup.
Although so many folks know about it,
Redcoat Tavern is still a dining sleeper.
LEAVE IT TO the ingenuity of
Townsend Hotel's Rugby Grille,
Birmingham, to do it their way with big
success ... The potato latkes served this
past Chanukah caused a large sensation
of goodness ... Executive Chef Drew
Sayes and Chef de Cuisine Andrew Alcid
made them to order ... with the potatoes
pan-fried in a duck-fat shmaltz instead
of oil ... and served with slow-cooked
sweet pear butter rather than apple
sauce, along with the traditional sour
cream ... Their creation made for a lot of
tasty orders ... and favorable comments,

Fresh Mediterranean Eats

says Townsend Managing Director
Steven Kalczynski.
MAIL DEPT. ... From Russi Arden ...
"At Sammy's Roumanian Steak House
on Chrystie at Delancey streets in New
York's Lower East Side, all tables are
given a bottle of chicken fat as a sauce to
bring out the flavor."
OLDIE BUT GOODIE DEPT. ... Harry
was sick and tired of being constantly
badgered by his wife, Bessie, for spend-
ing so much time at the bar. Hoping it
would help matters, Harry invited Bessie
along with him.
"So what would you like?" Harry cor-
dially asked, as she took her seat next to
him.
"Oh, I don't know," Bessie said. "I guess
I'll take the same thing as you."
"OK:' said Harry to the bartender.
"We'll both take Johnny Walker on the
rocks."
Bessie barely took a sip of the drink
before she started gagging.
"Oh, my gosh! Get me a cup of water!
This stuff is horrible! How do you drink
this garbage?!"
"See," said Harry, "and you think I
come here just to have a good time!"
CONGRATS ... To David Blatt on
his birthday ... To Eunice Ring on her
birthday ... To Marilyn Frommer on her
birthday ... To Norman Wauldron on
his 97th birthday ... To Heidi Martin on
her birthday ... To Herbert Eidelman
on his 90th birthday ... To Adria Brown
on her birthday ... To Avi Kapen on his
birthday ... To Jean "Jeannie" Elkus on
her 80th birthday ... To Jeffrey Zamler
on his birthday ... To Clara Dubin on her
97th birthday ... To Avery and Marilyn
Warnick on their 58th anniversary.

❑

Danny's email address is
dannyraskingsbcglobal.net.

OPEN 24 HOURS
Tasty and Healthy
Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinners

Homemack

Troy
248-619-0888
854 E. Big Beaver Rd.

MeciLterrat" °'

SW Corner of Rochester Rd. &
Big Beaver Rd.

'8 OFF

Farmington Hills
248-994-0614
37610 W. 12 Mile Rd

Expires 1/25/15

www.2Booli.com

January 8 • 2015

$25
Purchase

Dine In Only 5pm to 10pm Sunday thru Wednesday

NW Corner of 12 Mile & Halsted

48

Catering & Business
Delivery Available

JN

lUuts
a
Rom,

OF SOUTHFIELD

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Complete Home-Cooked Dinners!

Turkey

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Discount

Meatloaf
Liver and Onions
And MANY more dinner selections!

FROM

$9.49

*Includes vegetable, potato and your choice of Soup, Salad or Cole Slaw!

On 12 Mile Rd. East of Northwestern Hwy.• 248-353-3232