arts & life >> the best of everything Fusion In Ferndale Crave features American, Japanese and Mediterranean delights. P THE CLOSENESS OF its OTPOURRI ... Another good restaurant adds family members' owned-and- to the dining growth of Ferndale operated string of restaurants with the opening of Crave's second location is highly regarded ... Its newest at the former site of John D on Woodward, one has been open only a short just south of Nine Mile Road ... Crave No. time but is already making 1 in Dearborn became noted for its wide waves of dining acceptance with selection of American and Japanese cuisine its intimate style of goodness. ... The second site, with its bevy of Asian, It's the new Leon's Cafe & American and Mediterranean fusion dishes, Craft at the former site of is co-owned by Khalil Ramadan and part- Rusty Bucket on Orchard ner Eddie Farah, former John D owner. Lake road, north of Lone Pine Recent personally tasted items included in Crosswinds Center, West yellow carpaccio, spicy tuna roll, shrimp Bloomfield ... The owners, Abe Leon, tempura rolls, seared tuna, chicken salad, father Sam Leon and Abe's brother-in-law duck confit, bronzino, steak filet, etc. ... All Marko Issac bring the new concept with with results of finger-licking delight. much satisfying results in the presentation Crave customers are encouraged to share of a large Mediterranean and American family dining menu ... Also 25 Michigan everything on the menu... Separate plates, utensils, etc. ... at no added charge. beers plus a list of Michigan wines. Crave Ferndale's recent grand introduc- The delicious no-salt chicken soup made tion shindig two weeks after opening was a daily from his own formula by co-owner wall-to-wall funfest as Executive Chef Payne Sam Leon, is a Leon's daily dining specialty Mills from Adoba Hotel (former Hyatt- ... and a regular offering ... Changing soup Regency Dearborn) and Oklahoma fine specials include Sam's luscious vegetable, dining, introduced samples which Gary Cochran, owner of items from his interesting of the former Beau Jack's, menu together with goodies says he has never tasted bet- also from a six-stool sushi ter ... All are Sam's personal bar that, too, has become a recipes. big favorite. FOLKS LOOKING FOR HER FORMER custom- good Indonesian/Asian din- ers when she was owner ing are discovering the new of the Commerce Grill on Indo that opened this past Union Lake Road will be October on Cass Lake Road, happy to know that Diana between Orchard Lake Road Walsh is again flashing and Cass-Elzabeth, Keego her big smile in the res- Harbor ... Owners Nick Khalil Ramada n and Eddie Alonzo and wife, Melik, taurant game ... This time Farah as co-owner of Maria's on take much pride in their Walnut Lake Road and Javanese Chicken, slow- Inkster, West Bloomfield, with Marin Oala, cooked spicy beef and so many other choice Diana's previous general manager ... Their entrees ... Numerous specials not listed on takeover undoubtedly brings back a more the menu include fried egg noodles with stylish selection and presentation that also onion, mixed peppers, fried banana rolled includes the fine touches of time-honored in wonton skin, fried to golden brown and tableside dining items. served on a bed of chocolate sauce with HERE'S TO YOU! WE APPRECIATE YOU, WHICH IS WHY PRIME29 IS DEDICATING A WHOLE WEEK TO SAY THANKS FOR SUPPORTING US FEBRUARY 2 - 8, 2015 3 COURSE MENU $35 #PRIME29_WB 6545 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD. I WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48322 (SE CORNER OF MAPLE & ORCHARD LAKE, NEXT TO PLUM MARKET) WWW.PRIME29STEAKHOUSE.COM I 248.73.PRIME (77463) 38 powdered sugar and whipped cream ... Many salad lovers go gaga over the much-asked-for mango papaya salad. IT HAS BEEN OPEN only since this past June, but the appearance of Social House on Haggerty between Maple and Pontiac Trail, West Bloomfield, has already taken on a "sleeper" role in neighborhood dining ... You won't find food items like fried Brussels sprouts and tuna tartare at too many eateries ... and hardly any with Russian beef tips ... Executive Chef Joe Cockfield is remembered by many from the kitchen at Milk & Honey at the Jewish Community Center on Drake ... Social House's general manager is Bill Thompson, noted for his highly regarded restaurant consultations. READER MINI REVIEW ... From Dennis Silber ... "Debbie and I recently went again to the Cuban Cafe, here on NW Second Avenue (Boca Raton Boulevard) in Plumtree Center, Boca Raton, and found that it has improved with age both in taste and the variety of delicious dishes. Our dinners began with Caldo Gallego, a white bean soup, and we enjoyed the fresh and crisp combination of carrots, red cab- bage, tomatoes, lettuce and onions, topped with a tasty vinaigrette dressing. For entrees we enjoyed the Pechuga a la Plancha, grilled breast of chicken topped with sauteed onions and grilled sweet plantains. Our side dishes of white rice with black bean sauce were very tasty. Friends with us enjoyed the Camarones Enchilados, sauteed shrimp in a red creole sauce, and Churrasco, skirt steak marinated in olive oil, spices and char- grilled with a very delectable chimichurri sauce" MAIL DEPT.... "We just had another meal at Leon's Cafe & Craft, located at Crosswinds Center on Orchard Lake Road. The food is delicious and the atmosphere inviting, bright and attractive. Prices are reasonable. All in all, a very positive experi- ence" ... Janet Halper. SOME OF THE FOOD prices from its menu of 1998 are being featured, lunch or dinner, until Jan. 31, at Steve & Rocky's, Grand River in Novi. The dishes by chef/co-owners Steve Allen and Chuck "Rocky" Rachwitz, celebrating their 17th anniversary, include filet, $21; roast range chicken, $13.50; roast duckling, $15.50, etc., plus Chef Milos' mushroom soup, $2.50. Also until Jan. 31, no charge for a glass of champagne with all main courses. OLDIE BUT GOODIE DEPT. ... A woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. While on the operating table she had a near-death experience. Seeing God, she asked, "Is my time up?" "No," answered God, "you have another 50 years, two months and eight days to live." Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a facelift, liposuction and tummy tuck. She even had someone come in and change her hair color. Since she had so much time to live, the woman figured she might as well make the most of it. After her last operation, the woman was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, she was hit by a car and died immediately. Arriving in front of God, she asked, "I thought you said I had another 50 years. Why didn't you pull me from out of the path of the car?" God replied, "I didn't recognize you" CONGRATS ... To Susan "Suzie" Radner on her birthday ... To Udi Kapen on his birthday ... To Lisa Brody on her birth- day... To Edward "Eddie" and Susan "Suzie" Radner on their 56th anniversary. ❑ Danny's email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.