raskin
the best of everything
A Little Lebanon in Bingham Farms
H
Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist
Mandaloun Bistro
celebrates four
years in business.
Milake Bitar and Melissa Bitar
ungry for some true authentic
Lebanese food? … Mandaloun
Bistro is celebrating its fourth
anniversary and probably has the
Lebanese dish you may no doubt have
been craving for … or can maybe make it
for you.
You’ll hardly get much better Lebanese
fare unless you plan on going to Lebanon
… such as its genuine stuffed lamb,
moghrabieh couscous, kibbe labneh or
stuffed eggplant and zucchini … or select
from many of the other dishes prepared
and served at Mandaloun Bistro … on
Telegraph Road and 12½ Mile Road in
Bingham Farms.
At Mandaloun Bistro, you’ll now also
be able to get beef ribs, too … maybe dif-
ferent at other places from how Executive
Chef Milake Bitar prepares them … In
fact, there might be some other dishes you
may find elsewhere … but for sure not
like numerous selections among the deli-
cious food she makes, like Mandaloun’s
stuffed lamb signature dish.
Milake is owner Melissa Bitar’s mother
and her “truly like home” delicacies are
so authentic you might close your eyes
and think you are in Lebanon itself …
Melissa’s dad, Fernand, continues to do
Mandaloun’s butchering at the restaurant.
Stuffed eggplant and zucchini, Hindi
dandelion greens, Samke harra cod fish
with tahini sauce … Want more? …
Milake will make it for you … She was in
Lebanon recently and brought back more
goodies that people might enjoy … Huge
favorites in Lebanon … and brought for
all with belly touches of joyous goodness
… shish barak, cooked yogurt with meat
tortellini inside, then added garlic and
cilantro for a zesty taste … and kousa
laban, stuffed zucchini cooked in a yogurt
sauce with cilantro garlic, ground beef and
rice.
If you have already enjoyed one or two
of Milake’s noted dishes before … and
loved every lick of the fingers… at the for-
mer Le Chef Bistro in Farmington Hills …
you know of their goodness.
Even some of the desserts are authentic
… Like the Ashta bread pudding with
bananas, pistachios, honey and almond …
And there also is homemade rice pudding
with almonds and pistachios and syrup …
Plus a delicious cream caramel.
Mandaloun Bistro seats about 150 to
200 people plus 10 at the bar … and is
open Monday-Thursday, 11-10, Friday,
11-11, Saturday, 4-11 and Sunday, 4-10 …
Entertainment Friday nights from 7 p.m.
Four years and Mandaloun Bistro is still
going strong … The delight of dining on
authentic food that you know you can’t get
anywhere else … and much of it with a
taste like no others … Authentic Lebanese
food in America … a thrill that comes so
rarely … and is so good in the very talent-
ed hands of someone like Milake Bitar.
Truly a family treat like few others.
THE LOCALE WHERE Matt Prentice
may open his super deli, Franklin Plaza
Center, Northwestern Highway, just north
of 12 Mile, is owned by community-ite
Ken Lenchner … and across from the
Jewish News and Renaissance Media.
Setting the Standard in Jewish Foods
The Finest Selection for Every Taste
Specializing in Shiva Meals
Deli Trays t Dairy Trays t Hot Traditional Meals t Sweets and Desserts
When you are providing meals for
Shiva, let the family know you care
- Call Steve’s Deli
DELIVER
AVAILABL Y E
6646 Telegraph at Maple
Bloomfi eld Plaza
www.stevesdeli.com
Dine-In / Carry Out / Shiva Catering
Call 248-932-0800
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WHAT ELSE PEOPLE are talking
about … Barbecued goat at El Barzon,
Detroit … Lamb and chicken spe-
cialties at Elie’s Mediterranean Grill,
Birmingham … Scottish salmon with
toasted barley at Diamond Jim Brady’s
Bistro, Novi … Frittelle of sliced cauli-
flower and smoked duck strudel at Due
Venti, Clawson … Beef stroganoff at
Fiddler, West Bloomfield … Twice-cooked
Moroccan duck legs at Assagi Bistro,
Ferndale … Pasta specialties at Bacco,
Southfield … Wine-steamed mussels at
Bella Piatti, Birmingham … Barbecued or
fried shrimp and Louisiana-style gumbo
and those luscious muffins at Beans &
Cornbread, Southfield.
WHEN WILL SOME RESTAURANTS,
who especially know their customers,
stop that junk of making people wait until
entire party arrives before seating them …
Yes, there are still a few who do this.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … The two
Americans are dining in a Paris restau-
rant. “I think this is horse meat,” said one
suspiciously.
“Oh,” said the other, “I don’t think so.”
“I’ll bet you,” said the first gent.
“No, thanks,” said the other. “I never
won a bet on a horse in my life.”
CONGRATS … To Judy Eder on her
100th birthday … To Dennis Green on his
birthday … T o Jay Parr on his birthday …
To Mariana Yonova on her birthday … To
Jeff Metzger on his birthday. ■
Danny’s email address is
dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.
32906 Middlebelt Rd (at 14 Mile)
Please see our menu at
(248) 855- 0007
www.johnnypomodoros.com
Johnny Pomodoro’s is your ONE STOP SHOP for all of your needs!
Shiva Trays, Deli Nosh Dairy and Deli Trays, Marty’s Cookie Trays, Johnny’s Signature Fruit & Veggie Trays
Delivery Available
CALL JOHNNY’S FOR TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL SHIVA TRAYS.
DAIRY TRAY
MEAT TRAY
FRUIT TRAY
CANDY & NUT TRAY
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MARTY'S COOKIES
November 8 • 2018
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