arts & life >> the best of everything
More Than Mideast!
Mezza Mediterranean Grille brings variety to the table.
H
ome-cooked stuffed cabbage?
Chicken or shrimp pasta?
Stir-fried vegetables? ... At a
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant?
These are among the diversified styl-
ing that one can expect to get at Mezza
Mediterranean Grille on Orchard Lake
Road and Pontiac Trail, Orchard Lake
Village.
These dishes, together with
Mediterranean fare, comprise the dining
versatility of Mezza ... Its eight other loca-
tions, including North Rochester Road in
Rochester and Maple and Welch roads in
Commerce Township, present the same din-
ing selections.
Because of its versatility, Mezza, already
established as a fine Mediterranean res-
taurant, with its full complement of menu
selections, ranks among the better presenta-
tions of this ethnicity.
It is also big on juices, raw, smoothies,
etc., that have gone over in a large way ...
Mezza is known to not use butter in its
cooking, plus having special orders that
include no oil in salad dressing, baked
falafel, hummus or tahini, etc. ... And
dishes can be prepared to meet the needs of
those with gluten allergies ... The kitchen
space is interesting with grill areas set up so
as not to cross combinations of food ... All
dishes are prepared to order with hum-
Sam and LouAnn Saleh, and Moe Cheaib
mus and baba ganoush made
daily.
When speaking about a
Mediterranean eating spot, one
would be hard-pressed to tell of
another one that also features a
pasta creation like linguini with
cream or marinara sauce.
Seeing people dining on
vegetable stir-fry at Mezza is
not an eye-popper, since Mezza
is highly noted too for its bevy
of healthy selections ... And
even pizza is featured, with Mideastern
olives, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes ... or
with other toppings ... And Mezza is the
only such restaurant known to make lamb
vegetable soup.
And did I mention the gourmet-style
dish of duck a l'orange or pepper steak or
chicken marsala or char-broiled quail? ...
Yes, Mezza is certainly quite different.
The dining diversification of Mezza is
a striking revelation of culinary progress
... where diners at ethnic eateries are no
longer restricted to only the fare of its
culture.
Die-hard Lebanese lovers who desire
specific Lebanese cuisine that is not on the
menu, such as hashawi, are accommodated
if the ingredients are available.
Mezza is owned by Sam Saleh, whose
American dream come true is another
revelation of successful endeavor here,
and wife, LouAnn ... Moe Cheaib is
co-partner at the Orchard Lake Mezza
... Sam's dream began after coming to
the United States from Lebanon when
17 years old and beginning his career as
a Big Boy bus person ... Then came his
promotion to cook, assistant manager
and general manager ... The highlight
was buying his first Big Boy franchise
on 14 Mile and Ryan ... and going on to
purchase a total of eight Big Boy opera-
tions ... They currently also have two
Big Boys, in Walled Lake and Flat Rock
Mezza on Orchard Lake Road
in Orchard Lake Village is open
seven days ...11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Another American dream
come true ... The success story
of Mezza always brings such
pride in accomplishment.
DANDY DINING DEAL ...
Mark's own homemade old-
fashioned bowl of chicken soup
with noodles and your choice
of cheeseburger, hamburger
or tuna sandwich ... Lunch or
Dinner ... $6.95 ... 11 days only, Thursday,
Aug. 6, through Sunday, Aug. 16 ... Indoor
or outdoor patio seating ... Downstairs in
the Golfer's Grill of Steven Lelli's Inn On the
Green, 12 Mile Road, just west of Halsted,
Farmington Hills.
GOOD MANAGER DEPT. ... The res-
taurant post of general manager is a vital
cog in an establishment's success or failure
... This is where someone like John Flynn,
GM at award-winning Sposita's Italian
Ristorante on 14 Mile, east of Farmington
Road, West Bloomfield, comes into much
importance ... He is an owner's pride and
customer pleaser in making sure folks enjoy
their visit ... John's refreshing knowledge,
graciousness and efficiency brings them
back.
THE CABARET OFFERINGS hav-
ing already brought a large amount
of appreciated attention ... Now Joe
Vicari's next club biggie cabaret down-
stairs at Andiamo Ristorante, 15 Mile
and Telegraph, Bloomfield Township,
Saturday, Aug. 15, 8 p.m., will have Mark
Randisi doing his Frank Sinatra takeoffs
honoring the late Boss' 100th birthday ...
Cabarets by Joe this year will also be at
Andiamo's in Dearborn and Riverfront.
DATE TO REMEMBER ... W.J. and
Lillian Kemler Walk of Ages by Jewish
Senior Life is Sunday, Aug. 23, 9 a.m., at
the Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Jewish
Community Campus at Maple and Drake in
West Bloomfield ... Jewish News Publisher
Arthur Horwitz, and wife, Gina, will be this
year's grand marshals.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE DEPT. ... The
CEO of Empire Kosher Chicken was visiting
the rabbi of a prominent synagogue. After
talking for almost an hour, the CEO says,
"Rabbi, I'm willing to give this synagogue
$5 million. But before I do, I must also
request the traditional blessing over wine
on the Sabbath be changed to one over
chicken."
The rabbi is taken by surprise at this
request. "For thousands of years, we have
been making the blessing over wine and
now in one short moment you want me to
go against this age-old tradition? I don't
think I can do this."
"Rabbi: says the CEO, "you drive a hard
bargain. Alright, I will give you $10 million
to do this, but not a penny more."
The rabbi looked at the CEO and, after
several moments, replies, "I will have to get
back to you."
The CEO leaves, and the rabbi promptly
calls a meeting of the board of directors of
the synagogue. After all the members arrive,
the rabbi stands up to speak, "I have some
good news and some bad news:'
The board knew something big was up.
"We have just come into $10 million!"
The board gasped at the figure. The
excitement grows.
"That's the good news. The bad news is
we just lost the Manischewitz account!"
CONGRATS ... To Lila Lazarus on her
birthday ... To Dee Shapiro on her birthday
... To Monni Must on her birthday ... To
Ray Horenstein on his birthday ... To Joe
Horenstein on his birthday ... To Michael
Pricer on his birthday ...To Rabbi Jason
Miller on his birthday ... To Dr. Jordan
Meier on his birthday ... To Mark and Elaine
Schonberger on their 42nd anniversary.
❑
Danny's email address is
dannyraskin@sbcglobalmet.
CALL TODAY FOR A CONFIDENTIAL ANALYSIS OF
YOUR REAL ESTATE AND MANAGEMENT NEEDS.
Winston-Traitel Realty, Inc. provides commercial and industrial real
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emphasis on the business and individuals for whom we work. That has
been our success for many decades in the Tri-County area.
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k. 248.432.5509 iE EpicKosher.com
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750 Welch Road,
Commerce Township, MI, 48390
(248) 624-7200
www.wtrealty.com
2021170
46
August 6 • 2015