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The Trattoria Across The Street

Maria's on Walnut Lake Road revives the dreams of a prior owner.

N

ew ownership of a once-revered
neighborhood Italian bistro has
won the favor of diners who have
responded with multiple come-again visits.
Now under the possession of former
Commerce Grille head honcho Diana Walsh
and partner Marin Oala, her previous gen-
eral manager at Commerce Grille, Muds
Restaurant, Walnut Lake Road, just west of
Inkster, West Bloomfield, appears to hope-
fully be back like the one that the late Al
Valente had opened years ago.
Following Al's passing, the place did not
seem like the same informal upscale restau-
rant he had named Ristorante di Maria ... It
was mediocre at best, and customers looked
to other spots for fine Italian dining ... But
now, however, it looks like those who haven't
already returned to Maria's will do so with
positive response.
Also, to experience new additions like the
much-wanted tableside dining preparation
feature of Dover sole almandine, chateaubri-
and for two, Bananas Foster, Caesar salad,
steak Diane, shrimp scampi ... and items
like pasta Sicilian° that no other restaurant
has ... plus large-selling chicken or veal
Marsala, chicken or veal Francese, salmon
Florentine, etc.
Plus weekly or daily specials that include
homemade black truffle linguine, pan-fried

Diana Walsh and Marin Oala

lake perch, etc.
Regular favorites include
Spiedini di Maria, layers of bread
soaked with lemon butter sauce
and chopped olives, and lightly
breaded chicken parmigiana,
baked with parmesan and moz-
zarella cheeses and tomato sauce
... And the Rollotini Melanzana
of pesto angel hair-stuffed egg-
plant baked with marinara and
mozzarella cheese, or Melanzana
Sorrentino, sauteed eggplant
rolled and baked with herbed ricotta cheese
and tomato-basil sauce.
It is still small, like the quaint little trat-
torias of Italy or the small hideaways of New
York ... Seating is only 48 in the dining
room, its brown tables tastefully topped with
oversized red linen place settings, sparkling
silverware and elegant glass stemware ...
and another diminutive room with its bar
and four stools that is romantically equipped
with one table for tender hand-holding while
eating or drinking.
The new ownership of Mards Restaurant
is very much in the mold of Al's thinking
when he owned a little pizzeria spot and
often looked across the street in the hopes
of someday opening an Italian restaurant
there ... He closed the pizzeria and devoted
his time proudly to a 25-seater Ristorante de
Maria ... It quickly became an Italian din-
ing favorite and an addition was needed for
almost another 25 ... He loved the intimacy
of a cozy little place with a soft elegant look
like that of the Muds now owned by Diana
and Marin.
Maria's Restaurant is open six days a week
... Tuesday-Thursday, 5-9:30 p.m.; Friday
and Saturday, 5-10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 5-9 p.m.
Al had been in the recording business as
head of national promotions for Motown
Records when he started his first pizzeria
on Grand River and Outer Drive in Detroit
in 1973 ... moved it to West Bloomfield and

sold it soon afterward, opening
Ristorante di Maria in 1978.
The Maria's Restaurant of
today would have made Al so
proud ... That his dining dream
across the street from his one-
time pizzeria continues to live
on in cozy intimacy, wonderful
food and gracious service.
READER MINI REVIEW
... from Jon Isenberg ... "There
were six of us in our party to
celebrate my birthday, and we
all enjoyed our visit to Griffin Claw Brewery
in Birmingham.
"My wife, Lorrie, and daughter Mallory
Sharpe relished the Brussels sprout salad,
which had a delicious taste and was more
than enough for both. Mallory also was
thrilled at her mac 'n' cheese bites, which she
found to be very tasty
"I was delighted with my wonderful chick-
en sandwich with seasoned fries, among the
best I have yet eaten. Jeff Sharpe and James
Sharpe both enjoyed the Nightmare on Eton
Street burgers and shook their heads in won-
der at their deliciousness.
"My Blue Sky beer was a very tasty
American wheat beer. It is made at Griffin
Claw Brewery, as is the Platinum Blond
Lager that was loved by Jeff, Lorrie and
James. Mallory had a mixed drink that was
just right. Kristy Sharpe was designated
driver and drank an Arizona Ice Tea. Our
service, the food and beverages were great.
We definitely will go back again:"
MAIL DEPT.... "I enjoyed reading your
tidbit about the noodle soup and your listing
of the delis through the ages.
"It brought to mind the summer of 1941
when I worked as a fountain boy at Bill
Boesky's deli on Collingwood and Dexter,
earning 12 cents an hour plus meal (usu-
ally chicken noodle soup and a triple decker
tongue and coleslaw sandwich). The counter-
men sliced the corned beef by hand in those

days, probably before the electric slicer was
introduced.
"Years later, I photographed Bill's son
Ivan's wedding to Ben Silverstein's daughter
Seema. It was the most unusual wedding
in my 50-year career since there were only
10 members in attendance at the Book-
Cadillac Hotel. Rabbi Morris Adler offici-
ated, Hal Gordon was the pianist and Anna
Oxenhandler was the bridal consultant.
Unbelievably, they ordered six albums with
60 identical photographs in each.
"Thanks so much for triggering these
memories:' ... Dave Dombey
THAT FIRST ANNUAL Fantasy
Batting Practice by Michigan Jewish Sports
Foundation, Sunday, Aug. 2, at Comerica
Park is the brainchild of MJSF's treasurer,
Frank Reinstein, co-chair with Justin Jacobs
and Donny Wohl ... Only 200 spots will be
sold for fun swinging in the batting cage,
shagging fly balls, playing catch, sitting in the
dugout, hitting pitches from a former Tiger
player, etc. ... Friends and relatives can watch
from the stands ... Call MJSF, (248) 592-9323
or email ...www.michiganjewishsportsorg.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE ... Morris went to
his rabbi for some needed advice. "Rabbi, tell
me, is it proper for one man to profit from
another man's mistakes?"
"No, Morris, a man should not profit from
another man's mistakes:' answered the rabbi.
"Are you sure, rabbi?"
"Of course I'm sure. In fact, I'm positive,"
exclaimed the rabbi.
"OK, rabbi, if you are so sure how about
returning the $200 I gave you for marrying
me to my wife?"
CONGRATS ... To Michael Hermanoff
on his birthday ... To Emma Kellman on
her 17th birthday ... To Warren Pierce on
his birthday ... To Armen Darakjian on his
birthday ... To Shirley Wiss on her
birthday.

❑

Danny's email address is

dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.

From casual deli trays to contemporary parties,
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