raskin 75 th an the best of everything niversary Italian Pride Senior Columnist Café Cortina continues to impress. ++++++++++++++++ ++ Rina and Adrian Tonon + + + + + + + + Grad Parties and Father's Day Trays + + + + + + 5 OFF 10 CARRYOUTS OR OFF SIT DOWN PARTY TRAYS DINNER SPECIALS With any 29.95 or More Or Carryout or Catering Orders Of $ 59.95 or more No Coupon Necessary Present this coupon when placing order. Excludes all other specials & offers. JN Expires 7/5/17 Excludes all other specials & offers. Present this coupon when placing order. Expires 7/5/17 JN $ $ $ 6646 Telegraph at Maple Bloomfield Plaza STEVE'S 9 $ 99 Dine-In only, excludes short ribs & Salmon. No substitutions. Not valid w/ other coupons. NO COUPON NECESSARY. JN KIDS MENU 4 $ 99 kids 12 & under No Coupon Necessary Dine In Only. No substitutions. Not valid w/other coupons. NO COUPON NECESSARY. JN Call 248-932-0800 Dine-In / Carry Out / Catering +++++++++++++++++ Danny Raskin “Our Northern Italian pride with a southern accent.” From its house-made gnoc- chi to its tender, juicy steaks to other favorite dining selections, Café Cortina will always be remembered as it sits there in all its quiet sophistication … But seldom not for just one reason alone … Many can say why … And those who do may have a list too long to mention. THE TIME-HONORED practice by some restaurants was highly approached at one time by many who knew that customers waiting in line to be seated might leave to satisfy their hunger elsewhere … Dick Lichtman’s Northgate Deli in Oak Park used to serve hors d’ oeuvres to those in line … Luigi’s Metropolitan Grillery in Waterford gave folks pieces of Mideastern goodies on crack- ers, etc. … Today, this charming convenience has been lost … Except for Pepino’s in Sylvan Lake, who still gives folks something to chew on when sit- ting down … Marinated white beans, garlic toast, brown soda bread and bread sticks … This, instead of just a bread basket, to help make hungry folks happy until their order comes … 18-year waitpersons like Gina Ahnen at Pepino’s are among those who might tell you that a hungry customer is not always There is little doubt of it being noted among this locale’s most romantic restaurants, Italian or other … Witness the numer- ous remembrances and private moments shared by couples since its opening in December 1976 … And the elegant food and service are always choice topics of Italian dining recall. There always seems to be something special about Café Cortina on 10 Mile Road, east of Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills … Yet, if you ask a person what it is, he cannot pinpoint just a single reason … There are too many … The soft elegance that this time-honored Italian restaurant possesses is with few equals … Its excellent food, ser- vice and all-around ambience give a quiet classiness to Café Cortina’s grace. Yet, it too is sometimes for- gotten about when occasions may arise to dine and enjoy an afternoon or evening of graceful attendance … Perhaps it is visited numerous times because of its goodness that is sometimes taken for granted … But there are few like Café Cortina … from romantic set- tings both inside and outside … in the noted dream that one day became a reality for Rina Tonon and her late husband, Adriano, and their son, Adrian … A restaurant that Rina calls +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 000000 a pleasant one. FAVORITE RESTAURANT of yesteryears … From Sam Ulder … “I took my wife on our first date to Grecian Gardens in Greektown, and because of that, it will always be my favorite restaurant. She had never eaten Greek food, and I loved it. I think Sylvia got sick of my talking about it so much that she had to try it. We haven’t found a Greek restau- rant to compare with it and wish it were still around. She is hooked on lamb chops, and I always order them, too. We sure wish we could make them at home like they did at Grecian Gardens, but we have found that we can get closest to them at Uptown Parthenon.” THE FINE PETITE filet steak dinner deal has gone over so big at Sposita’s Ristorante, 14 Mile, between Orchard Lake Road and Farmington Road, that it is now an every-other- week special … 6-oz. steak, anti- pasto plate, pasta, salad, potato and vegetable … $22.95. DO YOU HAVE A favorite restaurant of yesteryears? … Tell me about it in 100 to 150 words or so … It’s part of the 75th anniversary of the Jewish News and me. OLDIE BUT GOODIE … The pope met with the College of Cardinals to discuss a proposal The Paint Store 248-745-3100 Full Line Paint Store from Shimon Peres, the former leader of Israel. “Your holiness,” said one of the cardinals, “Mr. Peres wants to determine whether Jews or Catholics are superior by chal- lenging you to a golf match.” The pope was greatly dis- turbed, as he had never held a golf club in his life. “Do not worry,” said the cardinal. “We’ll call America and talk to Jack Nicklaus. We’ll make him a cardinal. He can play Shimon Peres. We can’t lose!” Everyone agreed it was a good idea. The call was made and, of course, Jack was hon- ored and agreed to play. The day after the match, Nicklaus reported to the Vatican to inform the pope of his success in the match. “I came in second, your holiness,” said Nicklaus. “Second!” exclaimed the surprised pope. “You came in second to Shimon Peres?” “No,” said Nicklaus, “second to Rabbi Woods.” CONGRATS … To Shirley “Shirl” Eckner on her birthday … To Sam Felder on his birth- day … To Marty Bernstein on his 85th birthday … To Billy Berris on his birthday. • Danny’s email address is dannyraskin2132@gmail.com. Decorator Assistance Come and check us out! Benjamin Moore Paint Starting as low as $15.83 per gallon 1001 Orchard Lake Rd. Pontiac, MI 48341 www.thepaintstoremi.com FREE Brush and Roller with purchase of a gallon of paint. Limit 4 per person. Conveniently located at the corner of Orchard Lake and Old Telegraph Rd. jn June 15 • 2017 57