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Looking Back On 2015
ANUARY ... Steven Lelli's Inn on the
Green, Farmington Hills, fetes fourth
anniversary with large, updated
veranda now available for both indoor and
outdoor dining ... Redcoat Tavern, Royal
Oak and West Bloomfield, given more best-
rated hamburger rankings ... Rugby Grille,
Birmingham, still getting asked for the
potato latkes it served at recent Chanukah
... Roman Empire, Dearborn, celebrates
Danny Raskin
50th anniversary ... Family of former Le
Senior Columnist
Chef Lebanese eatery opens Mandaloun
Bistro in Bingham Farms ... John D's,
Ferndale, becomes a second Crave restaurant ... Maria's,
West Bloomfield, is reopened by Diana Walsh and her
former general manager, Mirin Oala, at Diana's previous
Commerce Grille ... New Indo, Keego Harbor, making
waves with Indonesian/Asian food ... Social House, West
chicken soup by owner Mark Zarkin considered for menu
Bloomfield, a sleeper dining spot ... Seventh birthday
at Steven Lelli's Inn on the Green, Farmington Hills ... El
of Whitney, Detroit, since takeover by new owner Bill
Barzon, Detroit, is one side Italian and the other Mexican
Liebler, with son Patrick assisting, brings out more won-
... Another Black Rock restaurant set to open seating 450
derful dining experiences.
in Clinton Township ... Lea Schofield, at Bill Roberts'
FEBRUARY ... Pasta Fagioli, again a Bloomfield
Bills, Bloomfield Hills, chosen manager of the year by
Township favorite, on 18th birthday ... Moro's, Allen
Michigan Restaurant Association... Mark Schostak is
Park, still amazing with excellent food, service and price
named to MR/Vs board of directors ... Joe Vicari enters
... Eunice and Milt Ring honored at Hank Greenberg
the cabaret world with shows downstairs at Andiamo
Memorial Golf Invitational ... Fiddler, West Bloomfield,
Ristorante, Bloomfield Township ... New Sunday brunch
ranked high among this region's top Russian restaurants
opens at Bistro 82, Royal Oak.
... Pickles & Rye Deli, West Bloomfield, making happy
JUNE ... Bacco, Southfield, gives itself a 13th birthday
customers on first anniversary ... Joe Vicari looking for
present with new interior and outdoor all-weather looks
site to maybe open a second Joe Muer's Seafood in sub-
... Pasta Fagioli, Bloomfield Township, first receiver
urbs ... Bistro 82, Royal Oak, celebrates second anniver-
of soft-shell crabs from Florida ... Kosher-brand hot
sary.
dogs are served in lower level of Steven Lelli's Inn on
MARCH ... Highland House, Highland, features food
the Green, Farmington Hills ... Chef Hai Ying Bushey
like old Mitch's Tavern ... Matt Prentice, owner of bagel
opening eyes at Prism restaurant in Greektown Casino
and deli spot in Warren, but still consulting ... More
... Thai food is added to regular Cantonese menu at
sugar-free chocolate to be featured by American Bulk
Golden Phoenix, West Bloomfield ... David Syme on
Food, West Bloomfield ... Clawson Steakhouse, Clawson,
piano thrills audience at Temple Israel ... Webers, Ann
celebrates 57th anniversary with continuance of wonder-
Arbor, continues to win acclaim ... 12th year by Georges,
ful dining and dancing Wednesday through Saturday ...
West Bloomfield, among the many hanging in there dur-
Uptown Parthenon, West Bloomfield, rated best Greek
ing roundabout construction ... Siegel's Deli, Commerce
restaurant outside of Greektown, Detroit ... Dimitri Syros Township, brings back remembrances of yesteryear delis
opens Dimitri's Pancake House in Southfield ... Tony
... Zoe's Pancake House, West Bloomfield, celebrates its
and Frank Shustari open their fourth restaurant, Wixom
eighth anniversary with seldom-seen menu offerings ...
Station.
Volare, Wixom, moves across the street ... Torino restau-
APRIL ... First Greek Night is held by Uptown
rant, Ferndale, closes after two years and being named
Parthenon, West Bloomfield ... Choice of size for sand-
"Restaurant of the Year" each year by local publications.
wiches now served at Pickles & Rye Deli, West Bloomfield
JULY ... Leo's and National chains honor their years
... Georges, West Bloomfield, chosen among top
as Coney Island hot dog standouts ... Prime 10 kosher
neighborhood destination restaurants ... Brass Pointe,
restaurant, Southfield, enjoys first anniversary ... Former
Farmington Hills, celebrates 34th anniversary ... Buddy's
Beau Jack's owner Gary Cochran refutes rumor of going
Pizza raises funds for "Slice of Life" ... French Gourmet,
back into the restaurant business ... Egg Foo Yung made
Ferndale, reopens with added French choices ... Fifth
with requested egg whites at Golden Phoenix, West
Tavern, Bloomfield Hills, to add a 50-seat outdoor patio
Bloomfield.
... Candy and nut trays and bowls made from chocolate-
AUGUST ... Mezza Mediterranean Grille, Orchard
covered pretzels by Judye Kanfer going over big ... Third
Lake Village, also features Italian pasta and pizza ... John
anniversary by Bella Piatti, Birmingham, and better than
Flynn at Sposita's Ristorante, West Bloomfield, acclaimed
ever ... Blue Nile, Ferndale, still among few authentic
among top restaurant managers ... Joe Vicari's down-
native Ethiopian dining spots.
stairs cabaret overloaded with Mark Randisi honoring
MAY ... Pepino's 31st anniversary, Walled Lake, a
100th anniversary of Frank Sinatra's birth ... New Triple
huge Michigan favorite again ... Brunch at the Whitney,
Nickle, Birmingham, shows fast growth in two months ...
Detroit, a "don't miss" adventure ... Authentic Jewish
Blue Danube, Windsor, holds 41st anniversary among top
j
42
December 31 • 2015
authentic Hungarian restaurants.
SEPTEMBER ... 43rd anniversary of Golden Phoenix,
West Bloomfield, brings new ownership and expanded
menu ... New High Holiday dishes tried out at varied
eateries ... Detroit Restaurant Week features about 25
eateries ... Big Rock, Birmingham, fetes 18th anniversary
since name change.
OCTOBER ... 20th anniversary of Shangri-La, West
Bloomfield, brings more awards for its lavish dim sum
menu ... Rugby Grille, Birmingham, features fall menu
creations of new Chef de Cuisine Damian Yopek ... Noble
Fish, Clawson, touted for sushi assortment ... Moe's on
Ten 33rd anniversary, Novi, and Gallery, Bloomfield
Township, 1st, both gain rank among family destination
eateries ... Andiamo, Bloomfield Township, has birthday
No. 18 with unveiling of L'Chaim menu of Jewish favorites
plus expansion of Italian dishes.
NOVEMBER ... Diamond Jim Brady's Bistro Bar, Novi,
has 60th anniversary, beginning with its Seven Mile days
... Tomatoes Apizza, Farmington Hills, is rated "One of
the 25 best pizzas" by Gentlemen's Quarterly magazine
and among top 50 in Michigan by TV's Food Network
... Sushi lovers thrilled with opening of Feng Taste,
Farmington Hills ... Sposita's 16th anniversary honors
again include top neighborhood Italian dining ... Former
Larco's and presently named Big Beaver Tavern, Troy,
closes its doors ... New Wicked Table, Farmington Hills,
is opened by Penny White of Breakfast Club restaurants
Pepino's tragic fire, Walled Lake, shutters popular
restaurant ... Moe's On Ten, Novi, and Leon's, Dearborn,
have record numbers at this year's annual free turkey din-
ner for all.
DECEMBER ... Pepino's to miraculously open after
fire for one night only on New Year's Eve at new location,
Sylvan Lake ... Chef de Cuisine John Somerville, after
closing this month of the Lark restaurant, is announced
as new executive chef at Steven Lelli's Inn on the Green,
Farmington Hills ... Cafe Cortina, Farmington Hills,
honors its 40th anniversary dream ... Revamped second
L'Chaim menu of modernized Jewish favorites is unveiled
at Andiamo, Bloomfield Township, only, appearing sepa-
rate from Andiamo's regular Italian menu.
Wishes to all for a healthy and joyous New Year! *
Danny's email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobaLnet.