FOOD FOODIE RED THREAD magazine AWAY t A new winner every month! visit redthreadmagazine.com for details June Giveaway 6 Person V.I.P. PASS Go Wild! V.I.P. Pass includes the Drive-Thru Safari, Walk-thru Safari, Educational Animal Show, Rig Race, Camel Rides and one free cup of food. 6 people at any age. * 267 S Lightner Rd. Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 419.732.3606 last month's winner ' -'4"ATfriev irlquirS171in. WILDLIFE PARK Brenda of West Bloomfield won Six Person V.I.P. Pass to the African Safari Wildlife Park Prizes may vary and prize must be claimed within 30 days of winning or they are voided. our giveaways Are donated by local advertisers; to be considered for a spot in our giveaway page, please contact us at (248) 351-5107. how to win Enter to win at: www.thejewish news.com/red th read g ive away/ - - - This contest opens at noon on the first Thursday of the month and closes at 3 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month. Winners will be chosen and notified by the end of each month. No purchase is necessary to enter or win. One entry per person per month. Please note: Winner's name will be printed in the following issue of Red Thread. 36 June 20151 RED THREAD Village Bar And Grille By Esther Allweiss Ingber Tf at first you don't succeed ... People traveling through Lathrup Village may recall the Coffee Beanery, formerly housed in a painted brick building on the west side of Southfield Road, north of 11 Mile. The business was already gone a couple of years when Salvatore Scallopini moved in last fall. Larry Bongiovanni's growing group of restaurants, beginning with the original Salvatore Scallopini in 1982, includes popular outposts in Birmingham and elsewhere. Now he's opened Luxe Bar & Grill in Bir- mingham and Grosse Pointe Farms. When his classic Italian trattoria didn't catch on in Lathrup Village, management was forced to put on its collective thinking cap. The result is today's Village Bar and Grille (short- hand: Village Grille), a contempo- rary, American-style restaurant that reflects Salvatore Scallopini's quality standards. Several healthy options are included on a short but tempting menu. Bringing the right concept to the location is satisfying new customers. Village Grille stands out like an oasis on a long stretch of road with few dining options. The Birmingham-based Ron and Roman architecture and design firm brought natural colors and a sense of nostalgia to Village Grille's cozy dining room and vestibule. Tables and booths, some with cafe curtains, have comfortable padded seats. A handful of guests can sit at the black marble corner bar. Bright green faux topiary in different shapes and portraits of old-time movie stars like James Dean add visual interest on an encircling high shelf. Guests are welcome to enjoy the fleeting outdoor season on the res- taurant's enclosed patio, seating 30. A surround-sound music system, also heard indoors, adds to the relaxation. Village Grille General Manager Jason Johnson and Executive Chef LaDarrius Rouseau have been with the Salvatore Scallopini organization for about 20 years. Their combined experience shows in the restaurant's gracious service and delicious fare. "Our burgers, the grilled cheese- and-tomato soup combo and Brussels Sprouts Salad are the most popular items,"Johnson said. Whoever proclaimed that diners have moved on from sauteed Brus- sels sprouts to other veggies really I Green Apple Salad needs to order Village Bar's scrump- tious version. It's one of 10 menu items listed under"Starts."The Brus- sels Sprouts Salad I've so enjoyed is composed of crisp-fried Brussels sprout leaves, chopped Romaine let- tuce, green beans, blue cheese, dried cherries, sliced red onion and roasted pumpkin seeds, topped off with a light maple vinaigrette dressing. Another favorite of mine is Green Apple Salad. Marinated and grilled chicken pieces top long strands of tart Granny Smith apples, plus cilan- tro, red onion and frisee. Village Grille lists six salads, and not one of them has an "average" preparation. Juicy burgers in various treatments are served on brioche buns along with chopped lettuce, pickles and house sauce. Reuben-style corned beef and Cajun chicken are two of the sandwich choices. Village Grille's combo of grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup suits an adult palate. The thick and satisfying tomato soup includes bits of tomato, onion and celery and flecks of basil. The delicious sandwich combines three different melted cheeses, arugula and red onion on multi-grain bread. Casual American bistro food is offered at both lunch and dinner, including fish and chips, chicken Parmesan and barbecued ribs. Three pasta dishes and a filet served with zip sauce are available at dinner only. I'm interested in trying the side dish of garlic-arugula potatoes on another visit. Village Grille shakes things up with a soup, chicken and salmon of the day. During "happy hours"— 3-6 p.m. and 10 p.m.-midnight daily — "we offer 40-cent chicken wings with six different sauce options and $2 domestic bottled beer,"Johnson said. Another specialty of the house is the all-day $5 martini. For anyone with a sweet tooth, Johnson recommended getting "our mini-cheesecake and chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. They are our signature desserts" VILLAGE BAR AND GRILLE 27411 Southfield Road Lathrup Village, MI 48076 (248) 327-7000 www.villagebarandgrille.com $$1/2 out of $$$$