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