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Hail Ale Mary’s

Head to Royal Oak for beer — and “one of the best burgers in America.”

F

or many beer lovers, there are few
things better than having a luscious
hamburger to go with it … And
Ale Mary’s on East Main Street, between
Third and Fourth, next to Tom’s Oyster
Bar, Royal Oak, has a good one … In fact,
Men’s Journal calls theirs “One of the 25
Best Burgers in America”.
Plus, the bevy of beers in bottles, tap or
cans, the large selection of liquors served
also go good with the menu … How about
a pickled red onion with your beer, a
roasted tomato, a lobster taco or a lobster
with citrus and corn, or Cajun grilled
shrimp, etc. or a choice Wagyu sirloin
… and a veggie burger made there and
claimed to be like no other.
Ale Mary’s seats 50 in the dining room
with 15 stools at the bar and an outdoor
patio for 12 more … Daily hours are 11
a.m.-2 p.m., lunch or dinner.
Popular Ale Mary’s will soon celebrate
only its second anniversary, but it has
already made many come-back friends
with its beer hall concept and upscale
twist bar food.
IF ED ASNER, TV and film star who
portrayed Lou Grant on the Lou Grant TV
series from 1977 to 1982, had appeared for
the loving occasion, he would have had to
take a back seat.
The night belonged to
the star of the evening …
the real and original Lou
Grant.
More than 90 friends
and relatives feted local
community-ite Lou Grant
on his 90th birthday party
at Sposita’s Ristorante in
West Bloomfield … and
the love for him was shown
by the appearance of about
half the attendees coming
Lou Grant

from other states to honor the
am told about an eatery with
occasion.
home cooking and get disil-
The celebration was given
lusioned when sneaking into
for Lou by his and wife
some restaurant kitchen that
Evelyn’s daughter Linda and
makes this claim and seeing
son-in-law Steve Munson with
cans of not-so-fresh vegetables
much assistance by Evelyn.
for one and maybe a few other
Many will remember Lou
items in the waste can.
from his and Evelyn’s days
“Everything is fresh by my
years ago as owners of the
sweetie,
” says Henry “Hankus”
Danny Raskin
Railroad Crossing Restaurant
Colman,
who calls his wife
Senior Columnist
… and, much like them,
Anne’s kitchen dining domi-
Sposita’s added to the evening
cile, “Anne’s Family Diner” …
with attendees enjoying hors d’oeuvres
Also, take it from Michael Hermanoff that
and the waitstaff ’s passing around choice
his frau, Sandy, is no slouch herself when
steaks, salmon and vegetable dishes.
it comes to home cooking … and that she
The more than 90 invitees came to show should also be in the restaurant business
their love for someone who showed his for along with helping them like she does as a
them as they enjoyed an evening of idol-
public relations gal. (“And fabulous wife,”
like recognition.
adds Mike.)
It was a night not to be forgotten by so
READER MINI REVIEW … From
many from five states outside of Michigan Dennis R. Green … “Sharon and I recently
who came to Sposita’s to give “the real”
enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Bonefish
Lou Grant many “Thanks for being you.”
Grill on Big Beaver Road, between Crooks
BIG FEATURE through August at
Road and I-75 in Troy. As a starter, we
many restaurants is the serving of fresh
ordered Ceviche, chilled bay scallops,
soft-shelled crabs … They are huge sell-
marinated shrimp, fish, fresh pineapple,
ers, many coming with the eateries’ own
coconut, cilantro and guacamole, with
special sauces … Like Pasta Fagioli,
seasoned crisps for dipping. Unique and
Square Lake, east of Telegraph, Bloomfield tasty.
Township, with lemon
“Sharon loved her Shrimp Pad Thai,
caper sauce, or O’Brien’s
bite-sized whole shrimp, rice noodles,
Crabshack, Opdyke, Auburn green onions, peanuts, egg and traditional
Hills, a mustard sauce,
Pad Thai sauce. Our waitress had assured
Steven Lelli’s, Farmington
her that it contained no MSG.
Hills, orange fennel sauce,
“I opted for the Lamb Lollipop chops.
others with garlic and but-
They were extremely tender, lightly sea-
ter, etc.
soned and caramelized with balsamic
PEOPLE ask where they
demi-glace to finish. This was an appetizer
can find a restaurant with
portion, with three pieces, but it was more
strictly home cooking like
than adequate as a dinner for me.
yesteryears … So would
“For dessert, Sharon and I shared the
a lot of other folks like to
Jamaican Coconut Pie, creamy coconut
know … Numerous times I
custard, Myer’s Rum sauce and fresh

whipped cream. But we couldn’t resist the
Macadamia Nut Brownie as well, a flour-
less combo of raspberry sauce and vanilla
ice cream sprinkled with macadamia nuts.
The restaurant is decorated in a sophisti-
cated Eurasian style and the staff members
are friendly and attentive.”
FOLKS SEE the storefront sign…
Naked Fuel in the West Bloomfield Plaza
on Orchard Lake Road and wonder what it
is, until seeing the “juice bar” in small let-
ters … But that even isn’t enough.
Food as medicine might be a better ter-
minology … Nine raw juices, 10 smooth-
ies, bone broth soup, cabbage quinoa
salad, hard-boiled egg, lentil soup, etc. …
“Conscious eating decisions are the foun-
dation of what Naked Fuel offers,” say the
mother and daughter owner team. “How
to eat whole, nutritious food and avoid
poor eating habits.”
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … An attorney
representing a wealthy art collector called
and asked to speak to his client. “Saul, I
have some good news, and I have some
bad news.”
The art collector replied, “I’ve had an
awful day. Let’s hear the good news first.”
The lawyer said, “Well, I met with your
wife today, and she informed me that she
invested $10,000 in two pictures that she
thinks will bring a minimum of $50-100
million. I think she could be right.”
Saul replied enthusiastically, “Well done!
My wife is a brilliant businesswoman!
You’ve just made my day! Now I can han-
dle the bad news. What is it?”
The lawyer replied, “The pictures are of
you with your secretary.”
CONGRATS … To Hedy Blatt on her
birthday … To Sharon Green on her birth-
day … To Rosanne Liner on her birthday.

*

Danny’s email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.

Painting Exhibition for American Cancer Society

In Memory of My Wife Ann Katz

Will be shown June 14-July 15
At Lutheran Church of the Master
3333 Coolidge, Troy

Monday-Thursday and Sundays • 9am-3pm
www.theArtofBKatz.com

586-567-1205

Thanks to Pastor Paul Walters

1300610

54 June 16 • 2016