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