arts & life
the b e s t o f
e ve r y t h i n g
This Chop Rocks!
Big Rock Chophouse provides the “whole package.”
W
hen many people are constant-
ly thinking about where to go
for a good dinner, they talk
only about the food … Except when they
want much more … a complete package
that might include service with a smile,
cleanliness, wide food selection and good-
ness, etc.
Numerous restaurants have this sort of
package to satisfy their visitors … And
such fine establishments are sure bets to
offer an all-around wonderful dining expe-
rience.
On the occasion of their 19th anniver-
sary since changing the name from Eton
Street Station, this is the case when you
hear the names of owners Norman and
Bonnie LePage, Ray and Mary Nicholson
and excellent general manager Vera Rizer
at Big Rock Chophouse on South Eton
Street, east of Woodward, south corner of
Maple, Birmingham.
Having a general manager like Vera,
who was recently named by the Michigan
Restaurant Association as its Manager of
the Year 2016 and Industry Champion
Award recipient, are huge kudos for both
her and the owners … In further recogni-
tion of Vera’s selection, from now till Nov.
23, Big Rock Chophouse will be featuring
20 of her favorite items for $20, including
choice of fisherman’s plate for
two, petite filet, lobster tail,
crab legs, short rib, etc. …
The celebration honors her 20
years with them … one year
with Eton Street Station and 19
with Big Rock.
Seating is the same 130 in
its main dining room with 28
stools at the large, well-stocked
bar … plus 180 patio seats.
Dining hours are Monday-
Friday lunch, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Vera Rizer
and Saturday, noon-4; dinner
Monday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-1
popularity … His combina-
a.m. … An upstairs Got Rocks
tion plates like stuffed lamb,
Diamond Crown Cigar Bar has
chicken breast, hummus salad,
20 seats.
mashed potato and fruits …
The fine American variety
and beef kabob, shish kafta,
of fish and steakhouse menu
shish tawook, hummus, baba
items are among many top
ghanouj, potato, tabbouleh,
selections that include grilled
salad, vegetable grape leaves
items, tuna tartare, bone-in
and fruits, are among favorite
rib-eye, house-made clam
selections.
Danny Raskin
chowder with smoked trout
The three “critics,” former
Senior Columnist
rillettes, etc. … Many picks
restaurant owners, Al Balooly
not seen anywhere … includ-
and Mohammad Ansari, and
ing a “bro-nut” on the dessert menu, a
restaurant broker Ed Elia, make it a choice
doughnut made with brioche, filled with
stop.
lemon and fresh berries … Desired dishes
THE COMING MONTHLY series of
are modified as needed and, if desired, the specialty dinners by Steven Lelli’s Inn on
chef will speak with guests to customize
the Green, 12 Mile, between Halsted and
any dishes or needs wanted for their aller-
Haggerty, Farmington Hills, continues
gies, etc.
Monday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m., with offerings
Big Rock dotes on freshness … with
of Master Chef Milos Cihelka … $125 per
weekly usage of 200 lbs. of tenderloin
person for his great cream of mushroom
beef, about 70 lbs. of 22-oz. bone-in rib-
soup, Dover sole, roast duck, potato pan-
eye steaks, 90 lbs. of calamari, 150 lbs. of
cakes and chocolate orange torte … Plus
chicken breast, 30 gallons of a secret chef
one-per-customer cookbook by Milos.
sauce, 200 lbs. of salmon, 50 lbs. of spe-
MAIL DEPT. … “I drive past Roberto’s
cialty fish for specials, etc.
on Orchard Lake Road, between 12 Mile
Norman and Bonnie LePage, Ray and
and the expressway. I never see a car there,
Mary Nicholson, and their most compe-
other than the one van. It is always open
tent staff headed by the wonderful Vera
with an empty parking lot. Have any of
Rizer, deserve the many thanks they
your readers been there?” … William “Bill”
receive for the combination
Milstein.
of good food, fine service and
(Sorry, Bill, all I know now about the
all-around goodness aimed at
spot is that years ago as Silverman’s it
most enjoyable visits.
served a pretty good breakfast. I’m not
IT IS CONSIDERED by
sure, but I think it now is known by three
many to be among the better
names, Roberto’s Famwily Restaurant,
Mediterranean restaurants
Roberto’s Coney Island and Hazel and
that concentrate on a Middle
Roberto’s Coney Island. Hopefully others
Eastern selection … Owner/
can tell us more.)
chef Mohammed Dabaja at
AFTER A SHORT stint to help open
his Baba’s Grill on Michigan
another restaurant, popular general man-
Avenue, Dearborn, goes for
ager and maitre d’ Zoran Milcic is back
authenticity as he knows it
doing his smiling greetings at Mon Jin Lau,
and is a big reason for its
15 Mile and Stevenson, Troy.
Blooms Kosher Catering
and Cork & Rye
Honoring All Competitors Specials (bring in ad)
Rosh Hashanah
10 OFF
$
Monday September 19th
All “Break the Fast” Trays
or Email orders to info@corkandrye.com
(10 people or more)
0OFDPVQPOQFSPSEFSt&YQ
32418 Northwestern Hwy,
Farmington Hills
32418 Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills
Call for more information
M-Thurs 10a-10p; F-Sat 10a-12mid; Sun 11a-8p
Visit us at CorkandRye.com
50 September 15 • 2016
Danny’s email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.
20% OFF All Candy & Nuts Trays
Orders Must Be Placed by
248-862-5747
*
Spend $100 or more receive FREE Bowl
of Fresh Fruit or Coffee Cake
(for 10 people)
2016 Rosh Hashanah
Take Out Menu
Pick up orders at
MAKING ROUNDS … To Due Venti,
Clawson, for smoked duck strudel …
To Beans & Cornbread, Southfield, for
Louisiana-style shrimp gumbo … To
Bibimbab, Novi, for fish grilled Korean-
style.
THINKING ABOUT a present to
give someone on an occasion? … Here’s
another vote for the whitefish spread at
Costco … Dr. Suzanne “Suzie” Merkle likes
it so much that hubby Dr. Alan Silverman
added it as one of her gifts on their 21st
anniversary.
SPEAKING OF GIFTS, can’t think
of too many better than Jerry Naftaly’s
paperback Images of Modern America:
Northland to give to former store-owners
or folks who worked or patronized the
center.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … The rabbi was
truly a religious man. Besides his duties as
a rabbi, he was also very active in various
hospitals visiting sick patients and taking
care of all their needs.
So it was no surprise that one day when
he ran out of gas, the only container he
could find was a bedpan. The rabbi hap-
pily walked two blocks to the nearest gas
station, filled up the bedpan with gas and
headed back to his car.
As luck would have it, as the rabbi start-
ed tipping the gas into the fuel tank, the
traffic light turned red, and he had a large
audience witnessing the spectacle.
Just when the rabbi finished pouring in
the last drops of gas, a fellow opened up
his window and hollered, “I swear! If that
car starts, I’m becoming a religious man!”
CONGRATS … To Hannah Berglund
on her birthday … To Phyllis Rader on her
birthday … To Fran Ball on her birthday
… To Ernie and Gloria Solomon on their
65th anniversary.
Cork & Rye Deli Café Catering
248-862-5747
Lunch Delivery Available
2117870