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upscalP Yet ApproAchable

Esther Allweiss Ingber

Contributing Writer

onducting business at a power
breakfast becomes enjoyable when
delicious food and superior service
are involved.
Two Birmingham/Bloomfield
restaurants, upscale yet approachable,
more than fill the bill with their creative
individual menus and chalkboard specials
at breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch and
dinner.
Bill's, on Woodward Avenue at Long
Lake Road in Bloomfield Hills, and Beverly
Hills Grill, on Southfield Road north of
13 Mile Road, are among six distinctive
Roberts Restaurant Group (RRG)
properties in Oakland County.
Last year, Detroit Jewish News readers
chose the clubby yet whimsical Bill's as
Best New Restaurant in the JN's Best
of Michigan poll, tied for the honor
with another RRG property — Café ML
in Bloomfield Township. The innovative
Beverly Hills Grill, sporting a fresh design
this fall, remains a local favorite since
opening in 1988.
RRG proprietor Bill Roberts says
"consistency" is a key to his company's
success.
"We've tried to use the same standards
of hospitality and food quality at all six
restaurants, even though the menus,
design and neighborhoods are different,"
he said.
After Roberts secures a location, he and
Birmingham designer Ron Rea brainstorm
about the individual look and style of the
restaurant they want to create.
"He has a great feel for what people
respond to," Roberts said.
Corporate Chef Patrick Roettele and
Director of Operations Carl Volk assist
with developing each kitchen's layout,
menu, wine list and staffing needs. The
RRG team develops menus and recipes,
relying on staff feedback. Seasonal food,
often from local sources, is the byword.
Opened in August of 2014, Bill's stands
on the site of the legendary Fox & Hounds
steakhouse.
In the vestibule, a green wingtip leather
chair, framed photos and café curtains
with views of the bar set a classic tone.

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14 1JN

Best of Michigan • December 2015

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Beverly Hills Grill

Bill's

The dining room's dark ceiling features
barn-wood rafters and a large brass
chandelier near the fireplace.
Deep navy walls provide a neutral
backdrop for the carefully edited wall
display, unified by antique mirrors and
artwork in gold frames. A photo of
hometown girl Madonna coexists with
historical portraits and school rosters,
old plat maps and signs, steering wheels,
blown-up portions of a $50 bill and
mounted deer and moose heads.
Diners sit at wood high-top or low
tables. Place settings rest on black leather
chargers at breakfast and lunch, and
checkered tablecloths are brought out to
change the look of the restaurant during
dinner. Sturdy wavy glass divides the bar
and dining room.
By comparison, Beverly Hills Grill
is "upscale but with a neighborhood
feel," said Volk. The restaurant's recent
renovations introduced new windows,
new carpeting, refreshed mahogany, a
new bar and a great art piece by local
artist George Vihos.
Menu specialties for a power breakfast
at Beverly Hills Grill include Jumbo
Lump Crab Cake Benedict with tomato
and Hollandaise sauce and house-
made Corned Beef Hash topped with
poached eggs, Amish sharp cheddar and
scallions. A Wolferman's English muffin
accompanies this dish and the omelet of
the day, which is served with fresh fruit.
The BHG BLT is another breakfast option,
consisting of hickory-smoked bacon,

scrambled eggs, avocado, sharp cheddar,
tomato and arugula on multi-grain toast
with fresh fruit.
Delicious breakfast choices at Bill's
include Prime Rib Hash and Eggs, King
Crab Benedict with Maltaise sauce and
grilled asparagus, Egg White Frittata,
featuring basil, chevre, tomato and
arugula/avocado salad, and Whole Wheat
Oatmeal Pancakes with cranberry-apple
compote and orange-honey butter. The
hearty Bill's Breakfast is two eggs, crispy
hash browns, choice of meat and an
English muffin. Steak and Eggs features a
petite filet mignon.
Despite the wonderful menus, many
of the guests choose to order the daily
chalkboard specials, giving "our chefs a
chance to show their creativity," Volk
said. ❑

Beverly Hills Grill

31471 Southfield Road

Beverly Hills, MI 48025

(248) 642-2355

www.BeverlyHillsGrill.com

Bill's

39556 Woodward Avenue

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

(248) 646-9000

www.BillsBloomfieldHills.com