August 1 • 2019 53
jn

Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

raskin
the best of everything

Big Rock for the Ages
I

t is said many times that attending a bar 
or bat mitzvah often plays a role in the 
gaining of successful endeavors in life 
… This might have happened when devel-
oper Eric Lutz attended one given at Nifty 
Norman’
s, owned years ago by Norman and 
Bonnie LePage.
Eric was enthralled at the fine event put 
on by Norman and Bonnie … and that so 
many people would enjoy being at a place 
much off the beaten path in Wolverine 
Lake … He called Norman, and they met 
for breakfast at a nearby delicatessen … A 
deal was consummated where Norm and 
Bonnie would move their Nifty Norman’
s, 
change the name, and open in Eric’
s closed 
historic Grand Trunk Train Station on Eton 
Street in Birmingham, which he had just 
bought.
In August 1997, Big Rock Chophouse 
was born … on South Eton Street, 
Birmingham … owned by Norman and 
Bonnie with partners Ray and Mary 
Nicholson … and became one of the finest 
restaurants in Michigan … One that would 
also be among the recipients of the presti-
gious Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 
for more than 20 consecutive years … plus 
receiving the much-esteemed American 
Culinary Achievement Award … One of 
only three Michigan restaurants to do so … 
with a mouthwatering menu that included 
flavorful recipes centered around enor-
mous, hand-cut aged steaks, delicious lamb 
chops and very fresh seafood among other 
tasty delights.
The lively, energetic atmosphere at Big 
Rock presents a fitting complement to the 

high quality presented by Executive Chef 
Eric Voigt and his staff, a team of 30 people 
who create and oversee the fine restaurant’
s 
award-winning menus … Including com-
plimentary words for the steak bites served 
with homemade chop sauce and calamari, 
two of its very popular appetizers … And 
bills of fare that include Mediterranean 
shrimp, petite filets, Bolognese seafood 
chowder, short ribs, duck, Dover sole, etc.
With Executive Chef Eric helming the 
kitchen, he and his staff produce excel-
lent presentations … Like the very special 
20-ounce Imperial Wagyu Strip Steak that 
is aged 56 days.
Desserts on the menus are all made 
in-house … cheesecake, coconut cream pie, 
poached apple, truffles, ice cream, sorbet 
and so much more.
And there is wonderful General Manager 
Vera Riser … So very much the right, left 
and whatever hands of Norm, Bonnie and 
their staff.
Big Rock Chophouse seats 397 plus 28 
stools at a well-appointed bar … Lunch 
is served Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.- 4 
p.m., Saturday noon-4 p.m. (dinner, too, 
on Saturday) … Dinner is served Monday 
through Thursday 4-10 p.m., Friday and 
Saturday 4-11 p.m.
That mammoth rock in front? … Norm 
and Bonnie searched high and low for one 
… Canada, Upper North in Michigan, 
everywhere they could think of except 
nearby Rochester … where the huge rock 
was to be found … and bought by them for 
$3,000 … A mere pittance compared to the 
$10,000 it took to get it there … Cranes at 

both ends, 80,000 pounds, 40 tons … but 
oh-so-beautiful granite on the property … 
A true showpiece for so many look-sees … 
and camera-shootings … along with a won-
derful lunch or dinner.
Big Rock Chophouse has indeed made 
a bar mitzvah wish come true … It is, for 
certain, one of Michigan’
s finest restaurants 
… combining the rustic feel of a mountain 
lodge in an elegant dining experience.
I HAVE BEEN asked several times why 
some prices for the same item and size at 
delicatessens are different … I don’
t think 
this will ever change … Deli men and 
women might have tried to do this years 
ago with buying power together, but it 
didn’
t last long … 
REUNION DEPT. … Mumford High’
s 
1959 Reunion is Saturday, Aug. 24 at 
Knollwood Country Club, West Bloomfield 
… For more info, contact Edie Goldman: 
(248) 788-740l or tootieg@aol.com.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … Isaac 
Fleaglebaum’
s attorneys handled a jury trial 
in a tough business case. The client was out 
of town when the jury came back with its 
decision.
The lead lawyer, a youngish man with a 
flair for prose, immediately emailed a note 
to his client saying, “justice triumphed.” 
Mr. Fleaglebaum replied, “
Appeal at once!”
CONGRATS … To Ray Horenstein on 
his birthday … To Joe Horenstein on his 
birthday. ■

Danny’
s email address is 
dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

Popular 
Birmingham 
eatery remains 
among the fi
 nest 
in Metro Detroit.

Bonnie and Norman LePage

FOOD PHOTOS VIA BIG ROCK FACEBOOK 

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an
 

 

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