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F INE C HINESE D INING

Ellie’s Grill

W

hen Ellie’s Euro-American Grill & Coney
opened in Berkley in 1983, its lineup of soups,
salads, breakfast dishes, Coney Islands, burg-
ers, hot and cold sandwiches, entrees and desserts were
pretty much what one would expect from a self-described
“grill and coney.”
The restaurant had something unique about it, however:
food reflecting the Macedonian origins of its naturalized
owner-chefs Jonce “Jason” and Elica “Ellie” Ilievski. Buoyed
by the popularity of their home cooking, the Ilievskis decid-
ed to make Central European dishes the focus of their cozy
diner. Renamed Ellie’s Grill, there isn’t a Coney dog in sight.
The menu and chalkboard specials include house-made
dishes hailing from the Balkans, Hungary and Poland.
Ellie’s Balkan specialties include Pleskavitsa, a seasoned
beef and pork Balkan burger incor-
porating chopped onions; Kebap,
seasoned beef and pork links; Ranichi,
two grilled pork skewers; Macedonian
Mixed Grill, featuring Balkan burger,
pork skewer, Kebap and pork ten-
derloin: and meatless Macedonian
Vegetable Deluxe, with seasonal grilled
veggies. The house-marinated meats
made the mixed grill I shared recently
a delicious choice.
Dinner plates include Djuvech rice,
a moist, tomato-based rice with bits
of vegetables, and delectable, vinegary
coleslaw. The same entrees are offered
a la carte at lunch; for a nominal
charge, add soup, salad or coleslaw.
“Our Hungarian dishes are very
popular,” Ellie Ilievski said. “People
come to try a bit of everything, then
return for their favorites.”
I especially like the bone-in Chicken
Paprikash, served in a paprika sauce
over house-made spetzle. Other guests swear by Hungarian
beef tips with spetzle, goulash (stew) and beef stroganoff.
The Polish choices, on Wednesday and Thursday only,
include sauerkraut and cheese pierogi, kielbasa plate, and
stuffed cabbage in a flavorful tomato sauce with mashed
potatoes and vegetables. Some of everything is in the Polish
Combo.
Hand-battered fish and chips, featuring house-made tar-
tar sauce, is always listed, along with macaroni and cheese
— shells covered with a variety of cheeses. On Friday only,
seared tilapia and pickerel fish are available on a bed of sea-
soned brown rice with sauteed vegetables.
The spinach pie is so good here, it sometimes runs out
early. The light, flaky phyllo dough has a traditional Greek
filling and tzatziki sauce.
The diner’s hearty soups, originating in cold climes, are
especially welcome now. My soup of the day, cabbage-bean,
was savory and good-tasting with bits of kielbasa. Five
entree salads listed on the menu are enhanced by choos-
ing a house-made dressing: ranch, Greek, Italian or maple
balsamic.
Do save room for the fabulous baked goods at Ellie’s Grill.
Guests especially enjoy Kreamish and (hey, it’s gluten-free!)
Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake.
Not long ago, the restaurant got rid of the original pink,
sponge-painted walls that Ellie hated in favor of a neutral
palette with colorful artwork. Most of the seating was con-
verted to booths for greater comfort. Renee and Christine
are the friendly, helpful servers.

*

“A wonderful adventure in fine dining” ~ Danny Raskin

Dining Around
The D

Esther Allweiss
Ingber

Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner
Catering and carryout available
Gift certificates
27925 Orchard Lake Rd., North of 12 Mile, Farmington Hills
248-489-2280
www.honghuafinedining.com

2120430

STAR
DELI

Ellie’s Grill
2033 Coolidge Road,
Berkley
(248) 691-4441
$$½ out of $$$$$

“…one of America’s finest
carryout-only delicatessens!
Star’s reputation
has never wavered!”

— Danny Raskin

COMPARE OUR LOW PRICES WITH ANY DELICATESSEN IN TOWN!

MEAT TRAY

DAIRY TRAY

$10.99 per
person

person
$22.99 per

SALAD TRAY

$12.49 per
person

SALAD TRAY W/ LOX & CREAM CHEESE

$16.99

per
person

Order the
best trays in town
for game days and
get-togethers.

)0634.0/4"5".1.t46/".1.

24555 W. 12 MILE ROAD

+VTUXFTUPG5FMFHSBQI3PBEt4PVUIGJFME

248-352-7377

www.stardeli.net

Prices subject to change

$ 5

OFF

On Star’s beautiful already
low-priced trays

Expires 2/2/17. One Per Order. Not Good Holidays.
10 Person Minimum. With this coupon.

DELIVERY AVAILABLE

January 5 • 2017

2140950

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