n o sh HAPPY HOUR Mon-Fri 4pm-6pm & 9pm-close +DSS\+RXU0XQFKLHV‡+DQGFUDIWHG&RFNWDLOV 2II$OO'UDIW%HHU‡2II$OO*ODVVHVRI:LQH )5(( DSSHWL]HU ZLWKSXUFKDVHRIHQWUHHV 9DOLG6XQ7KXRQO\‡'LQHLQRQO\ %HQVWHLQ*ULOOH‡&RPPHUFH7ZS ‡ 248-624-4100 With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. One coupon per table. Offer expires 12-31-16 %HQVWHLQ5RDG‡&RPPHUFH7ZS %HWZHHQ0DSOHDQG*OHQJDU\ FACEBOOK %RRN“ʇʣ䫓ÊUÊÀˆ\Ê££>“ʇʣ£«“ÊUÊ->Ì\Ê{«“ʇʣ£«“ÊUÊ-՘\Ê{‡™«“ 2134290 54 December 1 • 2016 The cocktail bar offers the namesake’s rare vari- eties of green and yellow Chartreuse liqueur like Genepi de Peres — a legendary “elixir of long life” made by monks near the Chartreuse Mountains in France since 1737 and a personal favorite of Levine’s. The Chartreuse liqueur is made from a secret recipe of 130 herbs and plants — sort of the Da Vinci Code of drinks that lends itself to some playful mystique. Like everything at his restaurant, Levine carefully vets his wine list, highlighting red, white and spar- kling wines from California, France, Spain and Italy, including naturally made biodynamic offerings. “Space is limited here. As a result, every item we serve has to be memorable and the best quality we can offer,” Levine said. Levine is also the owner of the Oakland Art Novelty Company, an award-winning cocktails-only modern speak- easy (There is no sign for the bar. You need be in the know to find the location) in Ferndale. “I originally wanted to open the Oakland Downtown, but the opportunity in Ferndale worked for us, and it’s another great commu- nity to be in,” he said. The Oakland showcases show-worthy cocktails with spirits acquired abroad like Glenfiddich single-malt Scotch whiskey and Ypioca Cachaca rum. Even David Wondrich, one of the world’s fore- most cocktail historians, was in awe during his visit there. Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails 15 E. Kirby Suite D Detroit, Michigan @ChartreuseDetroit Call (313) 818-3915 Parking lot parking Serves lunch and dinner Price range: $$ ALL IN THE FAMILY Sometimes you’re just born into a livelihood that becomes your pas- sion. That’s the case for Levine, he says, even though he graduated with a degree in psychology from Kalamazoo College. His family has owned restaurants in the Metro Detroit area for 60 years, and he began washing dishes for them when he was 11 years old. “My grandparents, Jack and Harriet Goldberg, started the Stage Deli in the 1960s, originally in Oak Park and now in West Bloomfield,” he said. It was the first place of its kind where you could expect to see celebrities canoodling in a corner booth listening to the sounds of live jazz and noshing on chopped liver. Owner, Jack Goldberg, liked to describe it as “a delicatessen meets fine dining.” Other family members now run the Stage Deli that’s going strong as ever and is a local institution. “We’ve always been about being loyal to the area,” Levine said. He grew up in the northern suburbs, and he and his family were members of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. Levine and his staff are eager to give back to the community by participating in charitable events like Regenerate Detroit — donating time and effort raising money to help pay tuition for culinary students — and Deja Food, a Dec. 11 event benefitting Detroit Dog Rescue. “I guess you could say the restaurant business is in my blood, and the truth is I don’t think I am cut out to do anything else,” Levine laughingly confesses. Today he brings his own family — wife, Heather, and two young children — into the business with him. “Heather is a partner, also, and I rely on her for every great decision we have made.” Chartreuse may very well become another Detroit institution, and Levine says his parents and grandparents would be proud he’s carried on the family tradition. “I know it may sound cliche, but if you find something you love as much as I love bringing a unique dining experience to the great clien- tele we have coming in, it doesn’t get any better than this.” *