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