arts & entertainment >> the best of everything 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 smusmkt Complete Home-Cooked Dinners! Turkey 10% Senior Citizen 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