nosh 10 off CUSTOMER APPRECIATION PARTY R O AVAILAB OM LE up to 90 people VOTED % ENTIRE BILL Excludes alcohol, Lamb Chops, tax and gratuity. Dine-in or carry out. Must have coupon. Cannot be combined with another offer. Expires 11/30/16. DAILY LUNCH SPECIAL # in the 1 6 Starting at Jewish News 4189 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake Twp., MI 248.865.0000 BY ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER | Contributing Writer $ 99 Dining Around The D CHOOSE TWO SOUP, SALAD OR SANDWICH www.mezzagrille.com Ferndale’s OM Cafe NOVI 248-826-2629 43296 11 Mile Rd. Novi, MI 48375 Give the Gift of Luxury this Holiday Season! WEST BLOOMFIELD 248-716-7760 6563 Orchard Lake Rd. West Bloomfield, MI 48322 $ BUY 2 GET 1 48 1 HOUR MASSAGE OR LUXE FACIAL FREE * FREE HYDROLUXE MASSAGE WITH PURCHASE Consists of a 50-minute service and time for consultation and dressing. Normal rate $89. New clients only. See spa for details. Expires 12/31/16. Gift Cards Available! *See spa for details. Gift cards must total $150. Free massage or facial certificate ($74 value) must be redeemed at the location which it was purchased. Participating locations only. Expires 12/31/16. 2130880 Fine Italian Dining in a Casual Atmosphere SPOSITA’S RISTORANTE OUR PETITE FILET DINNER IS HAPPENING AGAIN! Sunday, November 6 through Thursday, November 10 $ 22.95 (248) 538-8954 15% Off food bill Offer Good Monday- Thursday, dine-in only and entrees only. Not valid with any other offer. With coupon only. Not valid on holidays. 10% Off food bill Offer Good Friday- Sunday, dine-in only and entrees only. Not valid with any other offer. With coupon only. Not valid on holidays. 33210 W. 14 Mile Rd In Simsbury Plaza, just east of Farmington Rd. West Bloomfield Mon-Thurs: 4pm-10pmtFri: 11am-11pm Sat: 4pm-11pmtSun: 4pm-9pm 2071900 Includes Petite Filet, antipasto plate, side of pasta, salad, soup, potato and vegetable. Dine-in only, not valid with any other offer. Try Our New Boneyard Beef Ribs! Orchard Lake Rd. South of 14 Mile t Farmington Hills 248-851-7000 10 OFF % TOTAL BILL &YDMVEJOHUBY UJQBOECFWFSBHFTt8JUIUIJTBEt$BSSZPVUPS%JOFJOt&YQJSFT+/ /PUWBMJEPO)PMJEBZT $BUFSJOHGPSBMM0DDBTJPOTt$BSSZ0VUt0VS4QFDJBMJUZ-PX$BSC3JCT$IJDLFO-BNC3JCT 54 November 3 • 2016 Om Cafe 23136 Woodward, Ferndale (248) 548-1941 www.omcafe.com $$ out of $$$$$ E ncouraging optimal health and respecting all spe- cies of the Earth are twin philosophies behind Om Cafe’s focus on vegetarian, vegan and macrobiotic cuisine. Om Cafe — “just a peaceful-sounding name,” accord- ing to founding owner Colleen Smiley — opened in December 1985 on the east side of Woodward Avenue, north of Nine Mile, in Ferndale. Smiley’s son, Jason Thibodeau, took over when she retired. He sold the business to Bill Blondy in October 2014, who continues today with busi- ness partner/chef Jessica Norwood. A vegan, not eating dairy products or meat, Norwood was an Om Cafe diner since childhood, later hired as a waitress and mentored by the previous owners. Om Café became her first chance to cook professionally. “It’s always been my dream to own my own restau- rant,” said Norwood, who appreciates partner Blondy’s “constant support and cooperation since we began this journey.” For Om Cafe’s made-from-scratch food, “we try our best to shop local as much as we can,” Norwood said. Produce comes from vendors at Eastern Market in Downtown Detroit as well as independent farms. The restaurant has an herb garden. Vegetarian food shouldn’t be thought of as just salads and steamed vegetables, says the chef. She makes things more interesting by serving “plant-based comfort cui- sine, such as pasta dishes, nachos, tacos and stir-fries. “A lot of my inspiration just comes from what I feel like eating that day and the season and ingredients that are available,” Norwood said. A lifelong carnivore, I’m especially fond of prime rib in a fine-dining setting, but the items I’ve tried here have convinced me to go vegetarian more often. I recently ordered a Friday night entree featuring house-made barbecued seitan — a meat substitute made with wheat protein and seasoned with tamari. My Seitan Tacos with Romesco sauce were delightful. Crispy-crusted seitan squares were placed over mixed greens in three grilled-edge pita pockets. Then came the sauce, comprised of roasted red pepper, almond, scal- lion and smoked paprika. Guacamole and cilantro were garnishes. I chose Chocolate Coconut Layer Cake for dessert, a customer favorite. I left Om Cafe feeling healthy, virtu- ous and well-fed. On future visits, I will try Nori Roll, a menu staple since the beginning; El Mexicano, with pinto beans, veg- gies and lots of add-ons; and Loaded Vegan Mac, defi- nitely not a traditional mac and cheese with its added kale and tofu, and a coconut-curry sauce. Sunday and Tuesday are off days at Om Cafe, which otherwise opens at 4 p.m. A vegan brunch, from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday, includes blueberry pancakes, organic eggs, scrambles, and vegan biscuits and gravy. *