arts & life >> the best of everything
From Russia With Love
Fiddler restaurant brings true Russian dining.
E
thnic dining has always been a
with a Mediterranean touch ...
favorite for many, although some
Hence the outside sign that says,
ethnic restaurants may not have
"Fiddler International."
been as prominent in regards to their spe-
With owners now working in
cialized cuisine.
the Fiddler kitchen and highly
Russian feasting is sometimes referred
dedicated to the Kuchersky tra-
to by natives or the culture's aficionados as
dition, authentic presentations
merely "Russian-style" because of a lack of
of signature dishes are being
authenticity in preparations and presenta-
recognized as the wonder-
tions ... Numerous menus might mention
ful selection that might have
the word "Russian" but their fare may be
been lost by previous owners
far from the honest thing to the knowing
that followed Mike ... Like
Russian dining palate.
the present preparations of
When the late Mike Kuchersky opened
range-free Australian lamb chops, classic
his Fiddler Restaurant years back, it was
Beef Stroganoff, stuffed cabbage, borscht,
welcomed with anticipation by hordes of
Pohzharski chicken cutlets, homemade
hungry people for as-
meat or cheese blin-
close-as-possible to real
tzes, or blintzes with
Russian fare.
red caviar, etc.
After Mike passed
You won't see
on, another couple fol-
sturgeon or Siberian
lowed Mike and wife,
Pelmeni (thinly rolled
Maya, but could not
with seasoned ground
live up to the good
beef and onions stuff-
standards of true
ing) in dining selec-
Russian cuisine as did
tions at too many
Mike ... Maya contin-
Russian or internation-
ues on with her fine
al eateries ... Special
Maya's Skin Care salon
note is given on the
in the West Bloomfield Sam and Irina Ismailov
usage of all-natural
Plaza on Orchard
ingredients, including
Lake Road ... and
cage-free meats, no
the Fiddler restaurant on the north side of
added hormones, etc.
West Bloomfield Plaza, Orchard Lake Road,
Fiddler is open Thursday, 5-9 p.m.,
south of Maple, is now owned and operated
Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.-1 a.m., Sunday,
by people who care.
lunch noon-4 p.m. and dinner 5-9 p.m. ...
Another husband and wife, Sam and
Seating is for 50 in the main dining room
Irina Ismailov, came here more than 10
... and a banquet area of 120 for special
years ago from Baku, Azerbaijan ... It
occasions or when dining overflow may
seems they are very conscious of the fact
require additional space ... Parties of 30
that only authentic Russian food, like Mike
or more people ordering from the banquet
put out, will be acceptable to those in the
menu receive entertainment at no extra
know about true Russian cuisine.
charge.
Along with its fine Russian fare, Fiddler
Sam and Irina bought Fiddler in 2010
also features some Middle-Eastern food
and have carried out the classical traditional
and Ukrainian items, as well as Jewish food
dining that Mike was so very adamantly
insistent upon serving ... To
those of Russian culture and
people who just enjoy its varied
cuisine, Fiddler has made a
highly credible comeback.
IT MAY BE A newcomer to
the deli and restaurant busi-
ness, but the owners of Pickles
& Rye Deli on Orchard Lake
Road, between 14 Mile and
Maple, opened only since this
past June, certainly are not.
Rick Therrien carries more
than 35 years in the deli game... going back
to days behind the counter at Northgate
Deli in the 1980s ... And then becoming
kitchen manager at Northgate and manag-
ing partner of Plaza Deli.
Linda Collins was a server at the fine
dining Sebastian's years back in what today
is Troy's Somerset Collection ... Because
her work was so good, Linda went on to
become one the top trainers in the restau-
rant industry.
What they have done with Pickles & Rye
seems to be what many folks have been
looking for ... A good old-fashioned style
of deli with some new innovations and rea-
sonable prices.
Between Rick and Linda, a lot of confi-
dence and experience, so very important,
is a huge part of their customer satisfaction
package, as attested by their affiliation with
the Andiamo chain, etc. ... You seldom get
this kind of experience nowadays in the
restaurant business ... and it is a wonderful
feeling for so many to have .
ONE OF LIFE'S GREAT treasures is
the joy of family togetherness ... And
few exemplified its wonderfulness more
than the ups-and-downs remembrances
by Marion and Jay Grant, who celebrated
their 72nd anniversary at Gino's Pizzeria &
Restaurant in Keego Harbor.
The presence of their five local children
and their offspring generations made up
nearly all of the almost 40 attendees ...
From Connecticut, Las Vegas, California, etc.
A delightful tribute to Marion and Jay,
who looked around and tearfully but smil-
ingly gave silent acknowledgement of the
marvelous returns they now enjoy from the
families of their two sons and three daugh-
ters.
How proud they were ... No speeches,
just a lot of true love for Marion and Jay.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE DEPT. ... A fel-
low has a couple of beers and the bartender
tells him he owes $6.
"But I paid, don't you remember?" says
the customer.
"01c says the bartender, "if you said you
paid, you did:"
The customer goes outside and tells the
first person he sees that the bartender can't
keep track of whether his customers have
paid. The gent races in, orders a beer and
later pulls the same stunt. The bartender
replies, "If you say you paid, I'll take your
word for
Soon the customer goes into the street,
sees an old friend and tells him how to get
free drinks. His friend hurries into the bar
and begins to drink highballs when sud-
denly, the bartender leans over and says,
"You know, a funny thing happened in here
tonight. Two men were drinking beer, nei-
ther paid and both claimed that they did.
The next guy who tries that is going to get
punched right in the nose
"Don't bother me with your troubles:' the
fellow says. "Just give me my change, and
I'll be on my way:"
CONGRATS ... To Susan "Sue" Lepler on
her birthday ... To Murray Franklin on his
birthday ... To Charles "Chuck" Bennett on
his birthday ... To Luciano Del Signore on
his birthday ... To Seymour "Sy" and Pearl
Manello on their 54th anniversary.
❑
Danny's email address is
dannyraskin@sbcglobaLnet.
Buy $100 worth of gift cards and get a $20.00 Complimentary gift card for yourself !
Kids
Eat Free
Monday
RESTAURANT
110 AUTHENTIC
Persian Cuisine
....
248.476.0044
Buy on - lunch or dinner entree I
and get the second 1/2 off
I
Of equal or lesser value
15% off
total food bill
Not good with any other coupon.
i
Not good with any other coupo n s.
Not good on holidays. One coupon per couple. Up to $30 I Not good on holidays. One coupon per couple. Up to $30
Expires 3/15/15
Expires 3/15/15
Farmington Hills • Corner of Grand River & Haggerty Road
Auburn Hills • 1 1/2 miles south of the Palace of Auburn Hills
1966850
248.851.8200
Hours:
Mon-Thur 11am-10pm
Fri & Sat 11am-11pm
11 am-9pm
Sunday
Restaurant
Italian Cuisine
30005 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills
(North of 13 Mile)
www.pars1restaurant.com
Pars Persian Restaurant
Pars Persian Restaurant
20% Off
Buy One Entrée
Get 2nd Entrée
Total Food Bill
Exp. 2.28.15
1 /2 Off
Exp. 2.28.15
198100
50
February 12 • 2015
JNI