arts & life >> the best of everything
Steady As A Rock!
For decades, the LePages have been dining stars in Birmingham.
W
hen restaurateurs have culinary
station.
entrepreneurial experience
The restaurant's notable
approaching 50 years, it epito-
location and award-winning
mizes success.
menu have created their own
Which is why Norman and Bonnie
recognition ... From the large
LePage are so much admired in the industry boulder that signifies its name
... Owning and operating restaurants are so
to the restaurant's presentation
many times avenues of treacherous waters.
of a wonderful culinary adven-
The LePage "lovebirds" of dining note can ture, Big Rock has firmly estab-
lished itself as a premier dining
each look back with much pride since the
day they quit their respective jobs in 1969
destination in Metro Detroit.
and opened a donut shop ... Then came the
The lively, energetic atmo-
beginning of gastronomic greatness starting sphere at Big Rock Chophouse
with their Squires Table and Nifty Norman's
is a fitting complement to the
in Walled Lake to overseeing the opening of
high quality that comes from the kitchen
Birmingham's Townsend Hotel and its pres-
... Certified Master Chef Matthew Fitchett
tigious Rugby Grille in 1988 ... and beyond. oversees a staff of 25 who provide an envied,
Today, their Big Rock Chophouse, on the
accolade-accorded feasting journey that
the southeast corner of Maple and Eton,
includes flavorful selections from hand-cut,
is noted by the large "rock" sign between
aged steaks, delicious lamb chops and fresh
Adams and Coolidge roads, Birmingham
seafood ... among the so many mouth-
... Transformed in 1997 by the LePages
watering delights that have achieved com-
and partners Ray and
mendations galore ...
Mary Nicholson after 13
And the ever-presence
years as Norman's Eton
and know-how of won-
Street Station, Big Rock
derful all-around excel-
Chophouse is proudly
lent General Manager
celebrating its 18th
Vera Rizer, Norm's and
anniversary of dining
Bonnie's "right arm" since
1984.
prominence ... the major
portion of their near half-
Among the popular
century of distinction in
grilled steaks and fish,
the restaurant business.
bestsellers include grilled
Norm and Bonnie LePage
Much of the former
salmon in white aspara-
Birmingham train sta-
gus sauce with cucum-
tion can still be found in Big Rock's decor
bers, dill and lemon ... Also, bone-in rib-eye
... Chandeliers hanging in the main din-
and a very tasty house-made clam chowder
ing room and entrance area are the same
with smoked trout rillettes, etc.
designer lighting wonders displayed more
Imagine weekly food presentations of 200
than 80 years ago ... Windows are the origi- pounds of beef tenderloin, 90 pounds of
nal train station casements backed on the
calamari, 150 pounds of chicken breast, 200
inside with new double-pane beauties.
pounds of salmon, etc.
Many booths used throughout the restau-
Seating in the main dining room is 130,
rant were the original seating found in the
plus 28 stools at the bar and 180 on an
train station that have been redesigned ...
outdoor patio ... An upstairs Got Rocks
Even the canopy at the entrance of Big Rock Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge has 70 seats,
Chophouse is the same one used by the train and another 20 are in its cigar lounge patio.
, Buy $100 worth of gift cards and get a $20.00 Complimentary gift card for yourselfl!!
44 11
Big Rock Chophouse is open
Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10
p.m.; Friday, 11-midnight; and
Saturday, noon-midnight; closed
Sundays.
As one of the more unsung
upscale restaurants in Metro
Detroit's suburbs, it quietly
goes about its daily business of
attracting the life's blood of the
restaurant business ... returning
customers.
Dining excellence in a most
gracious and relaxed environ-
ment is truly a magnificent culinary expe-
rience by Big Rock Chophouse visitors
... How proud its owners can be of the
long-term success of their highly acclaimed
restaurant. ... Between Big Rock Chophouse
for 18 years and Eton Street Station for 13
years, the LePages have been Birmingham
dining stalwarts for 31 years.
CLOSING OF THE New Hellas Greek
restaurant on Northwestern Highway,
Farmington Hills, was after only two years
of existence following the demise of the ill-
received Morels at that location.
The locale has been replaced in name and
menu with return of its sister restaurant,
the previously closed R.J.'s American Grille,
which had been just steps away next door.
Both land properties and eateries were
under the same ownership ... The former
R.J.'s location is now that of a new Holiday
Inn Express.
It could be said that demise of New
Hellas might have been due to even-
tual departure of former General Manager
Tony Hadjisofroniou and Executive Chef
Demetrios "Jimmy" Papatriantafyllou, one-
time co-owner with Gus Anton of former
Hellas Cafe in Greektown and considered
among the finest of authentic Greek chefs in
this locale.
DANDY DINING DEAL ... Returned
by large requests ... Grilled Chicken Greek
Salad ... (Regular $10.49) ... One week
(Th
Italian Cuisine
248.476.00 44
Buy one lunch or dinner entree
and get the second 1/2 off
Of equal or lesser value
Not good with any other coupons.
Not good on holidays. One coupon per couple. Up to $30
Expires 9/30/15
Not good with any other coupon.
I Not good on holidays. One coupon per couple. Up to $30
Expires 9/30/15
% OFF
Entire
Food Bill
0
1
Al- OUMARA
%
,965920
OFF
Entire
Food Bill
I DINE-IN ONLY I I CARRY OUT I
I With coupon, not valid with I With coupon, not valid with
I other offers. Expires 11/30/15 I I other offers. Expires 11/30/15
Maple & Farmington Rd.
248.539.0505
Farmington Hills • Corner of Grand River & Haggerty Road
Danny's email address is
dannyraskin®sbcglobaLnet.
Opeta
g) adtty./
Wonderful sweets, made to order cakes,
including 7-Layer Cake,
always baked on premises.
Fresh Mid-Eastern Cuisine
15
total food bill
Auburn Hills • 1 1/2 miles south of the Palace of Auburn Hills
AL 0UMAKA.
To yohr -- /e-gltk
AL OUMARA
15% off
❑
Wishing You a Happy and Healthy New Year
Kids
Eat Fr
Restaurant r
only, $5.95 ... Thursday, Sept 24, through
Wednesday, Sept 30 ... No coupons ... $1
extra for soup with grilled chicken salad ...
Georges Restaurant, Northwestern Highway,
West Bloomfield.
READER MINI REVIEW ... By Leslie
Pardo . . . "While in New Orleans recently, my
husband, Steve, and I went to Huck Finn's
on Decatur Street and split the lajin Cajurf,
an omelet stuffed with boudin and cheese. I
am not a big fan of sausage, but am partial to
boudin, the sausage stuffed with rice.
"Our boudin was very mild and the rice
gave a nice texture to the hearty filling that
didn't overpower the eggs or melted cheddar
cheese stuffing. The mouthfeel of rice inside
an omelet was new to us and delicious. A
few drops of hot sauce added a nice sharp-
ness. The diced potatoes served with it are
evenly browned, crispy and come with a
large perfectly cooked biscuit. My Timms
Cup' cocktail with seeded cucumbers and
strawberries was light, fizzy and refreshing."
LOOKING FOR DEPT. ... Email address
of former Detroiter Florence "Flo" Lipton in
Sherman Oaks, Calif.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE ... The gentlemaris
dog had passed away. He was so attached to
it that he went to his rabbi and asked if the
rabbi would say Kaddish for his dog.
The rabbi said, "No, we only say Kaddish
for humans, not animals. However, there is
a new congregation two blocks down the
street from here. You could ask them if they
will bless your dog:'
The man thanked the rabbi and said,
"Do you suppose they would also accept my
donation of $75,000?"
The rabbi said, "Hold it! Come back! You
didn't tell me the dog was Jewish!"
CONGRATS ... To Morton Plotnik on his
birthday ... To Neal Rubin on his birthday
... To Bruce Milen on his birthday ... To
Marion Grant on her birthday.
www.aloumararestaurant.com
Ope/e& g)tutt7t9/
10% off
With Coupon. Not good with other offers.
Expires 11/30/2015
Maple &
Farmington Rd.
248.855.4000
www.operapastry.com
2038320
72
September 24 • 2015
JN