DECEMBER 5 • 2019 | 61
Nephew of original owner found
the recipe for success.
the best of everything
Raskin
Dinner at
Nonna Maria’s
A
fter frequent unsuc-
cessful attempts by
others to follow in the
footsteps of its original owner, a
name change and closer adher-
ence to its creativity by a family
member may
have been the
correct formula
for success.
Entering its
second year,
Nonna Maria’
s
Italian Kitchen,
Walnut Lake
Road, between Middlebelt and
Inkster roads, West Bloomfield
… named after the grand-
mother of its new owner, John
Gallagher, nephew of the late
owner of Maria’
s, Al Valente,
has again been received with
many happy open arms … John
is the former boss and head
chef responsible for the dining
success of one-time Little Italy
in Northville.
Rather than sit on its original
great reputation, John and his
staff have added even more
delicious offerings to its dinner
menu that include items like
linguini with clam sauce, short
rib ravioli, chicken Parmesan,
etc. … They go along with
Nonna Maria’
s top sellers
of Spiedini, veal and lobster
piccata, seafood pasta, etc. …
American dishes, Scottish salm-
on and chicken favorites, etc.,
are also included among the
favorites.
There is so much pride that
is almost always attached to a
family restaurant … Although
Nonna Maria’
s certainly has it
now … Whatever may have
been neglected after Al sold
to move on has not been seen
again … and the menu selec-
tions befit a top-class Italian
eatery.
Nonna Maria’
s hours have
remained the same … Closed
Monday … Open Tuesday
through Thursday, 4-10 p.m.,
Friday and Saturday, 5-11 p.m.,
Sunday, 4-9 p.m.
The modern styling accom-
panying its rustic Old World
charm in the limited 55 or so
seating gives patrons the feel-
ing that casual goodness in the
enjoyment of gracious dining
has returned.
Nonna Maria’
s second anni-
versary in return of a casual
dining legend is heartily wel-
comed with wonderful memo-
ries of elegant casual neighbor-
hood dining.
A PENNSYLVANIA LAW
once said that all restaurants
must be equipped with stretch-
ers and wheelchairs … Many
people didn’
t think the food was
that bad.
READER MINI REVIEW
… From Dennis Silber, Boca
Raton, Fla. … “My wife, Debbie,
and I recently discovered
Mario’
s Osteria on Glades Road,
Boca Raton, and were pleasantly
surprised. We were impressed,
too, with the generous size and
upscale ambience amid a most
courteous staff. Its large and
extensive menu was choice. We
began with a variety of appetiz-
ers, beginning with its signature
dish of eggplant pancake. Our
snapper Francese with spin-
ach and penne ala vodka were
very tasty, as were the chicken
Scarpiello and our Bistecche
Arrabiata. We finished with
homemade cannoli. And we’
ll
certainly return.
”
OLDIE BUT GOODIE …
A small-time vaudeville comic
was in a plane crash and awoke
to find himself in a strange
place.
“Where am I?” he asked a fel-
low standing beside him.
“You’
re in hell,
” he was
informed.
“That’
s my agent for you,
”
sighed the comic. “He’
s never
booked me in a good spot yet!”
CONGRATS … To Molly
Abraham on her birthday …
To Rita Gehringer on her birth-
day … To Betty Ruskin on her
102nd birthday.
Danny’
s email address is
dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.
Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist
John Gallagher
FOOD PHOTOS VIA NONNA MARIA’
S ITALIAN KITCHEN FACEBOOK
Reservations at www.thewhitney.com
(313) 832-5700
201
9
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