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 D r, P_IL/1/_,L\ AL OUNIAKA. aaa 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