48 September 5 • 2019
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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