raskin
the best of everything
Rising Like
a Phoenix
A
Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist
Pepino’s recovers
from fi re better
than ever.
Carol Carson, Kathy Morley
and Dr. Chris Hutchinson
never-to-be-forgotten tragedy
may still linger in the devastating
remembrance of some … But
thankfully in the hearts of those who
experienced the almost-forgotten-by-now
catastrophic fire, it is today only a yester-
year’s glimmer although too devasting to
quickly forget.
However, life must go on … and so
the very fine Pepino’s Food & Spirits
Restaurant on Orchard Lake Road, Sylvan
Lake, five blocks west of Middlebelt, cele-
brates the start of its 35th year … But with
so many thanks to its customers, new and
old, for their continued loyalty since that
tragic happening … In fact, according to
many, it may have oddly also turned into
a form of blessing from those who have
found it easier to find … and to regulars,
a more spacious look in which to enjoy
Pepino’s wonderful continental and New
American food, excellent service and
oodles of conviviality.
From the ashes seems to have come,
too, an even better Pepino’s, if that is at all
possible … People continually tell me that
dollar for dollar it is easily among the best
dining to be had … And that is very good
news to the ears of its three appreciative
owners, Kathy Morley, sister Carol Carson
and son-in-law Dr. Chris “All-American”
Hutchinson.
A big reason why Pepino’s doesn’t open
until 4 p.m. is its six chefs are prepping
and cooking everything fresh every day
… Fresh lettuce is triple-soaked and
chopped, all dressings, soups, sauces, rice
pilaf, potatoes roasted and chopped with
fresh onion for Lyonnaise potatoes, meats
roasted all day and stock for its fresh au
jus and so much more daily before open-
ing … Baking, too, its delicious home-
made brown raisin soda bread along with
prepping trays of its homemade garlic and
cheese bread and also filling a dish with
marinated white beans for the table …
These are big reasons why so many people
enjoy going to Pepino’s … Its menu with
house specialties has not changed much in
the past 34 years except maybe for specials
that may be served … Whatever is new is
put on as special offerings of that day only.
Plus, the multitude of customers
throughout the years … Pepino’s has been
a favorite of many local personalities and
numerous show biz folks who often are
appearing hereabouts and had heard so
much about Pepino’s.
For a restaurant like Pepino’s to be cel-
ebrating its 34th anniversary is a huge
tribute to its goodness … Being almost the
same as when it opened at the once- lit-
tle A&P market and Town Pump sites in
Walled Lake is a large commendation of its
ongoing quality and quantity that are rare-
ly duplicated …Yes, a splendid 34 years for
a truly wonderful restaurant.
STRANGE DISHES at restaurants …
How about oatmeal with chicken stock
as a lunch creation or orange juice salad
dressing … among the odd concoctions
that have appeared at Hong Hua Chinese
eatery on Orchard Lake Road, Farmington
Hills.
THERE WILL ALWAYS be a shortage
of good waitpersons in some restaurants
until those hired with no experience are
shown the right way to perform their
important tasks … Those eateries that
constantly hire without assisting servers
are doing a big disservice to them, custom-
ers and themselves … Many good waitper-
sons were once inexperienced themselves
until realizing how they would like to
enjoy the visit if they were the customer.
ERRATA … Tony’s Deli is on Orchard
Lake Road, Orchard Lake, not Keego
Harbor.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … “Hello, Mom.
Can I leave the kids with you tonight?”
“You’re going out? With who? A man
who goes out with a divorced woman with
children is a loser and a parasite. Poor
children with such a mother. I never left
you to go out with anybody except your
father.”
“I just want to know if I can bring over
the kids.”
“You go out with anybody and nobodys.”
“Goodbye, Mother.”
“Wait! Don’t hang up! When are you
bringing them over?”
“I’m not bringing them over! I’m not
going out!”
“If you never go out, how do you expect
to meet anyone?”
CONGRATS …To Herman Kasoff on
his 94th birthday … To Howard and Linda
Nudell on their 51st anniversary. ■
Danny’s email address is
dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.
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December 20 • 2018
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