48 September 5 • 2019
jn
continued from page 47
Concert,
” among other
local favorites.
The food menu
features the popular
Nashville Hot Chicken
sandwich and Kung
Pao cauliflower, yet the
Birmingham edition
boasts a cauliflower-based Greek flat-
bread and build-your-own salads.
The Morrie kicked off its soft open-
ing with a live performance on Aug. 9
by Billy Joel saxophonist Mark Rivera
and opened officially to the public
Aug. 15.
Belen emphatically credits his
hard-working team, including Director
of Operations Keith Schofield, wife
Lea Schofield, formerly of the Roberts
Restaurant Group, and Executive Chef
Derik Watson.
As a natural leader, Belen also has a
hand in training his staff in-house.
“We try to promote from within
and breed young, fresh talent. I have
a manager here (in Birmingham),
Simone Brown, who started off as a
server in Royal Oak.
”
Outside of the
restaurant business,
Belen serves on the
Friendship Circle
board of directors,
and AFB Hospitality
Group has been a
proud sponsor of NEXTGen Detroit’
s
EPIC fundraising event for the past
five years.
Even in the early stages of opening,
Belen is already booking rehearsal din-
ners and bar and bat mitzvahs, while
greeting crowds of locals pouring in to
see what the new Birmingham spot has
to offer.
“I don’
t think I’
ve ever opened a
place in my career where everyone
unanimously has been saying similar
things — that the city needed this, the
market needed this … we don’
t have
anything in town like this. It has been
unbelievable to hear that,
” Belen says.
Grandpa Morrie would definitely be
proud. ■
nosh
The Morrie
260 N. Old Woodward
Birmingham
(248) 940-3260
themorrie.com
Aaron F. Belen, pictured center,
smiles alongside house band
Your Generation in Concert.
Mark Rivera wows the crowd.
FINE CHINESE DINING
“A wonderful adventure in fine dining” ~ Danny Raskin
Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner
Catering and carryout available
Gift certificates
27925 Orchard Lake Rd., North of 12 Mile, Farmington Hills
248-489-2280
www.honghuafinedining.com
On Star’
s beautiful already
low-priced trays
24555 W. 12 MILE ROAD
248-352-7377
www.stardeli.net
$5 OFF
Expires 08/31/19. One Per Order. Not Good Holidays.
10 Person Minimum. With this coupon.
DELIVERY AVAILABLE
“…one of America’
s finest
carryout-only delicatessens!
Star’
s reputation
has never wavered!”
— Danny Raskin
STAR
DELI
Prices subject to change
COMPARE OUR LOW PRICES WITH ANY DELICATESSEN IN TOWN!
SALAD TRAY
$13.99
per
person
per
person
DAIRY TRAY
$22.99
SALAD TRAY W/ LOX & CREAM CHEESE
$17.99
per
person
MEAT TRAY
$12.99
per
person
Celebrate your
summer parties with
a Tray & our Vienna
Hot Dogs