the best of
everything
Surprise Package
Award-winning executive chef is coming to Steven Lelli's Inn on the Green.
A
short while after its fourth anniversary,
Wine Spectator awards to go along with
Steven Lelli's Inn on the Green did not
the numerous other fine-dining recogni-
deny that rumors were true about it
tions ... And the big word getting around
perhaps moving ... Word was that Downtown
is that Steven Lelli's is tossing unbelievable
Detroit bigwigs, among others, were courting
bar mitzvahs, weddings, birthdays, etc., on
the Italian bistro with attractive offers.
its outdoor lawn and/or highly acclaimed,
However, here it is 2015, and Steven Lelli's
one-of-a-kind, indoor-and-outdoor terrace
Inn on the Green, 12 Mile, just west of Halsted,
... When Steven Lelli's opened in 2010, only
Farmington Hills, is celebrating its fifth birthday
about 30-70 people could be accommodated
... thoughts of moving are only a faint memory
at these affairs ... The number has grown
Danny R askin
as the signing of a long-term lease to stay put
to more than 300 with facilities in the wind
Senior Co lumnist
became a reality.
for accommodations expected to reach up
Steven Lelli's Inn on the Green is in choice
to 500.
company when it comes to being asked about moving
Steven Lelli's has brought back the famed porterhouse
... Among those in the past queried about relocating
and bone-in New York strip steaks and is known for
or opening a second site were Nerio and Irene Lelli, the
flaming tableside chateaubriand, Dover sole and Bananas
original owners of Lelli's Inn when it was on Woodward,
Foster ... Also, when opening back in November 2010,
north of Grand Boulevard in Detroit ... Like Nerio and
Mark was given the famous red sauce recipe served with
Irene, owner Mark Zarkin is staying put.
al dente rigatoni garnished with fresh basil, so loved
Out-of-town celebrities often are
by Frank Sinatra, Jackie Kennedy,
told about great restaurants in towns
Woody Allen, Sophia Loren,
where they are appearing ... This has
Bennett, etc., by an owner of the
happened frequently in the five-year
once-noted Gino's Restaurant on
history of Steven Lelli's Inn ... Noted
Lexington Avenue on Manhattan's
among famous favorites are Clint
Upper East Side ... Mark named it
Eastwood and George Clooney ... also
Rigatoni a la Gino and still serves
Tony Bennett gulping down spaghetti
the famed red sauce in all its present
and meatballs while one of his many
popularity.
recordings wafted overhead ... "I'm
Anniversary No. 5 also brings
singing for my supper; laughed the
another big reason to celebrate ...
tuneful Tony.
Soon on board will be the addi-
Ndamukong Suh retaining his
tion of kudos-winning and much
John Somerville and Mark Zarkin
wine locker at Steven Lelli's although
medal-awarded Executive Chef John
no longer a Detroit Lion ... former
Somerville, directly from the soon-
Detroit Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer
to-close Lark restaurant in West
having his engagement party at Steven Lelli's and Howie
Bloomfield where he has been its much-heralded chef de cui-
Long, football hall of famer and now a Fox sports analyst,
sine for 11 years and executive sous chef six years before that.
dining there ... and the list goes on and on with judges,
Mark's big kitchen coup vaults Steven Lelli's Inn on the
sheriffs, NFL and Major League Baseball coaches and
Green even higher into the exalted realm of major players
managers, mayors, Detroit Red Wings and Tigers, tennis
in the world of culinary artistry ... Chef Somerville brings
champions, TV stars like Pam Dawber of Mork and Mindy some of the finest world-famous recipes that he has pre-
fame, M. Scott Bowen, the Michigan Lottery commis-
pared at the Lark with much distinction.
sioner, etc. ... And so many from all parts of the country
Steven Lelli's Inn on the Green has carved a most envi-
performing, playing or visiting here.
able fine dining niche for itself ... Five-year anniversaries
The fourth and fifth years have brought consecutive
tell many stories within that span of existence ... Not the
* Carry-Out Salad, Pasta and Veggie
Party Trays Available
* All-You-Can-Eat Dine-In Party Packages
* Large Group Accommodations
* Fun and Lively Atmosphere
$2 OffAny Party Tray
$3
Any 8-Square Piaa
Offer not valid with any other coupon/discount.
One coupon per person, per table
Expires 12/31/15
JN
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P_IL/1/_,L\
AL OUNIAKA.
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Purchase 25 In
Order
Buddy's Gift Cards & Online !
receive a voucher for a
r5yonrtaltk
Wonderful sweets, made to order cakes,
Fresh Mid-Eastern Cuisine
always baked on premises.
including 7-Layer Cake,
10% OFF FOOD ORDER
With coupon, not valid with other offers. Expires 1/31/16
with one topping ! ValldinJan&
Join Buddy's Email Club at www.buddyspizza.com
c:4
Auburn Hills • Bloomfield Hills • Dearborn • Detroit • Livonia • Pointe Plaza • Royal Oak • Shelby Twp. • Novi • Warren
60
O t oetag) adifty./
AL OUMARA (74, OPERA PASTRY
FREE 4 SQUARE CHEESE PIZZA
31646 Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills 248.855.4600
Danny's email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.
Wishing you a Happy Chanukah!
Book Your Holiday Party
Offer not valid with any other coupon/discount.
One coupon per person, per table
Expires 12/31/15
JN
least of which are the trials, tribulations and advance-
ments that may have occurred in that period ... To say
that Steven Lelli's has passed the test of time with flying
colors during that stretch would be mild admiration ... It
is so much more.
ONE OF THE WONDERFUL waitpersons at Pepino's,
17-year veteran Gina Ahrens, no doubt, speaks for its
entire staff in her elation ... "We are all excited at open-
ing so soon in another location after the fire and to be
with our customers again! We couldn't be happier to have
Kathy and Carol again as our bosses and thrilled at having
our same jobs back! It warms our hearts that people have
been so amazingly supportive!" ... (Pepino's is trying hard
to open this year on Orchard Lake Road in Sylvan Lake.)
SEEING FRIENDS IS easier now at Georges restaurant,
Northwestern Highway, West Bloomfield ... No more cen-
ter booths in the dining room... all tables ... New booths
at Georges are now only on the restaurant's four sides ...
The new look is somewhat in the Sam Boesky theme of
customers being able to see others like he had at his for-
mer Darbys.
YOU WON'T WANT to miss the Andiamo presenta-
tion of one of Joe Vicari's most popular acts next door to
the restaurant at his Celebrity Room and Banquet Center
on 14 Mile, Warren ... The Scintas, appearing Thursday,
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 and 12, is a popular Las
Vegas presentation of nonstop entertainment.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE ... While visiting in Israel,
Morris buys a ticket and wins the lottery. He goes to claim
it and the man verifies his ticket. "I want my $20 million:'
says Morris.
"It doesn't work that way, se says the man. "We give
you a million today, and then you'll get the rest spread out
for the next 19 years:"
"Oh no:' exclaims Morris, "I want all my money right
now! I won it, and I want it!"
Again the man patiently explains that he would get only
a million that day and the rest during the next 19 years.
Morris, furious with the man, screams out, "Look, I
want my money! If you're not going to give me my $20
million right now, I want my dollar back!"
CONGRATS ... To Helen "Jake" Fried on her birthday
...To Dr. Fred Bernstein on his 87th birthday. *
Maple & Farmington Rd.
Maple & Farmington Rd.
248.539.0505
248.855.4000
www.aloumararestaurant.com
www.operapastry.com
2056940