Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

raskin
the best of everything

Small but Mighty
T

he saying, “What goes around comes 
around,
” is almost apropos in this 
case … Although it does have much 
to do with the re-opening of a closed West 
Bloomfield restaurant that at one time was 
considered among the better small Italian 
eating spots in this region … And it seems 
to have regained the lofty Italian dining note 
it once enjoyed,
After four attempts by others, a family 
member of a former owner, the late Al 
Valente, has re-opened the once very pop-
ular Maria’
s Restaurant on Walnut Lake 
Road, just west of Inkster, West Bloomfield 
… When he at opened Haggerty and Maple 
roads, Al never forgot those wonderful days 
at the original Maria’
s … He was so suc-
cessful that it might have become much too 
small for him.
It is now called Nonna Maria’
s, named 
after its new owner John McDonald’
s grand-
mother Grace Maria … John is a nephew 
of Al Valente and noted by many people 
as the one-time co-owner of Little Italy in 
Northville with Al’
s son Jeffrey Valente.
Many will remember Dan Mahan, too, 
general manager at Nonna Maria’
s … His 
20 years as executive manager at Roma Café 
were memorable ones.
Among the many fine dishes on the 
menu, also available as specials, are some of 
those wonderful dishes Maria’
s was always 
so noted for … like the all-time favorite 
Spiedini alla Romana (always available,) 
veal Di Mare, stuffed eggplant, linguini with 
clam sauce, etc. … plus a very fine listing of 
Italian favorites for which Maria’
s has been 
noted … Like Veal and Lobster Piccata, 

Eggplant Parmesan, Penne From Heaven 
and Linguini Pescatore on the dinner menu.
Best sellers also include the sea bass, white 
fish and many veal and chicken dishes.
A special menu for dining-in only is also 
available for its Social Hours on Tuesdays 
and Fridays from 4-6 p.m.
Seating is for 55 plus five stools at 
the petite bar … Hours are Tuesdays, 
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4-10, Fridays 
and Saturdays, 4-11, Sundays, 4-9 … Closed 
Mondays. 
Nonna Maria’
s, small and cozy, has made 
many new dining friends among the old 
… all of whom have coveted the excellent 
Italian and American dishes within its 
charming, quaint neighborly feel that has 
always attracted so many … Yes, the choice 
space and structure that once occupied 
one of the original schoolhouses of West 
Bloomfield, dating back to 1870 and moved 
from across the street in the 1930s, brings 
back choice dining memories for many.
As they also say, “
Good things many times 
come in small packages” … This, Nonna 
Maria’
s certainly does.
A NEW LOOK IS ahead for Pickles 
and Rye Deli’
s interior on Orchard Lake 
Road, West Bloomfield … with hiring 
of Shari Stein from Design Team Plus in 
Birmingham … New tables, chairs, booths, 
carpet, wall laminates, art, light fixtures, new 
bathroom, new side stands, etc.
Also, the appointment of waitress 
Courtney Hill as its dining room manager 
… She will not be waiting on customers 
unless needed … Courtney was formerly 
manager of the one-time Deli Unique when 

at the Kingsley Inn.
REARVIEW MIRROR … When on 
another of my holiday visits with the Jewish 
prisoners at the one-time Jackson State 
Prison … with former Raleigh House gen-
eral manager/owner Sammy Lieberman 
and Bill Kaufman of Kaufman Restaurant 
Supply, two of the Raleigh House’
s 10 owners 
… Passover dinner had Purple Gang head 
Harry Fleisher still in the kitchen preparing 
chicken for the Jewish inmates, but now 
being called “Mr. Fisher” … As usual, guards 
and Jewish prisoners exchanging time as 
servers at their respective holiday dinners … 
Then seeing paroled Candy Davidson on the 
outside, happy that we made sure his wish 
was carried out … of giving his chicken to 
inmate Solly Abrahams. 
A COUPLE OF years ago, Steve Goldberg 
was asked why he didn’
t have onion bagels at 
his Stage Deli, West Bloomfield, and began 
serving them … Today they are his sec-
ond-best sellers, just behind plain bagels.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … A man called 
his mother in Florida., “Mom, how are you?” 
he asked.
“Not too good,
” says the mother. “I’
ve 
been very weak.
” 
The son asks, “Why are you so weak?” 
She answers, “I haven’
t eaten in 38 days 
because I didn’
t want my mouth to be filled 
with food if you should call.
”
CONGRATS … To Allan Minhoff on his 
birthday … To Sidelle Meyerman on her 
birthday. ■

Danny’
s email address is 

dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

Nonna Maria’
s 
 
offers big dining 
delights.

John McDonald and Dan Mahan

COURTESY OF NONNA MARIA’
S

50 March 14 • 2019
jn

