54 | MARCH 26 • 2020 

Local restaurateur brings his magic 
touch to this destination location.

the best of everything
Raskin

The Root of 
a Good Meal

F

rom the time that it orig-
inally opened about eight 
years ago with its fine 
operating partner, Executive 
Chef James Rigato, The Root 
Restaurant on Town Center 
Boulevard, between M-59 and 
Elizabeth Lake, 
White Lake, has 
changed from a 
trendy hot-spot 
to a destination 
location for din-
ing out.
Toward the end 
of 2018, long-time 
regular of The Root and local 
restaurateur Steve Suser bought 
it with intentions to reform 
the feel to become 
more approachable, 
featuring a menu 
that offered more 
familiar foods ... 
Work and dedication 
has seemed to be 
an answer to this 
change.
It now features the 
yummy selections of 
favorites like shitake 

mushroom meatloaf, avocado 
toast, cold smoked salmon 
board, seared scallop risotto, etc. 
... with signature dishes like the 
Root Orchard Salad and Black 
Walnut Old Fashion on the 
cocktail menu.
The Root prides itself also 
on its on-premises-made vegan 
chocolate tarts, banana cream 
pie made famous by the Cream 
of Michigan restaurant of years 
ago, creme Brule, numerous pies, 
etc. ... along with its own baked 
and served buns and breads.
Also a big feature is the open 
kitchen with a chef’
s table that 
has gone over big time ... The 
Root is a comfortable yet refined 
restaurant ... with 
accents of stained ash 
wood and limestone ... 
When dine-in service 
becomes available 
again in Michigan, 
you’
ll find The Root 
seats 140 with an 
18-stool bar ... and 
is open seven days a 
week ... Monday to 
Wednesday 3-10 p.m., 

Friday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday 
10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 10 
a.m-9 p.m. ... During the coro-
navirus quarantine, it is offering 
curbsite carry-out from
noon-8 p.m. 
The Root is again in good 
hands ... The dedication of Steve 
Suser is without question ... If his 
being well-liked is any criterion 
... along with excellent choices of 
food ... its customers have much 
to enjoy.
TIME WAS WHEN dining 
out was considered by many as a 
coveted luxury in both easy-to-
reach suburbs and Downtown 
areas ... Today, with both hus-
band and wife working, especial-
ly when there are small children, 
there is little time for cooking 
as often both men and women 
are too tired to stand over a hot 
stove ... It is very important ... 
especially in most difficult times 
like today ... to support our local 
businesses … Restaurants, too, 
need all the help they can get ... 
Most eateries are still offering 
carry-out service and have taken 
every precaution necessary for a 

completely safe meal.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE ... A 
woman went to the local psychic, 
hoping to contact her departed 
grandmother ... The psychic’
s 
eyelids fluttered, and she started 
moaning ... Eventually, a voice 
came saying, “Granddaughter? 
Are you there?” 
The granddaughter, wide-
eyed, asks, “Grandma? Is that 
you?” 
“Yes, granddaughter, it’
s me.
”
“It’
s really you, Grandma?” the 
woman repeats.
“Yes, it’
s really me, grand-
daughter.
” 
The woman pauses a moment, 
“Grandma, I have just one ques-
tion for you.
” 
“
Anything, my child,
” she says.
 “When did you learn to speak 
English?”
CONGRATS ... To Sid 
Newman on his birthday ... To 
Robert Seffinger on his birthday 
... To Marilyn and Al Frommer 
on their anniversary. 

Danny’
s email address is 

dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

PHOTOS FROM THE ROOT FACEBOOK 

NOT T I N G H I L L

o f W E S T B L O O M F I E L D

6535 Drake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 
phone 248.592.2000 | www.cienafacilities.com

AMENITIES:

 68 Private Rooms

 Gourmet Chef 
on site full-time

 Room Service 

 Formal Dining

 Happy Hour

 Medical Spa

 Personal Telephones 
with private numbers

 Personal Televisions

 Massage Therapy

 Luxury Transportation

 Tablets available for use

Notting Hill of West Bloomfield offers 

both short-term rehabilitation and skilled 

care for residents in a serene setting while 

receiving unsurpassed high quality care. 

We take a team approach to patient care, 

ensuring that all disciplines work together 

to meet the physical, emotional and social 

needs of our patients. Our goal is to help 

you or your loved one regain independence 

and return to life, family and community.

in Rehabilitation and Skilled Care
Redefining Excellence

Spacious Sitting Areas 
for Socializing

Customized Upscale 
Dining Program

1914800

32906 Middlebelt Rd (at 14 Mile)
(248) 855-0007

Please see our menu at 
www.johnnypomodoros.com

DAIRY TRAY
FRUIT TRAY
MEAT TRAY

Johnny Pomodoro’
s is your ONE STOP SHOP 

for all of your needs!

CANDY & NUT TRAY
MARTY'S COOKIES

Delivery Available
Shiva Trays, Deli Nosh Dairy and Deli Trays, Marty’
s Cookie Trays, Johnny’
s Signature Fruit & Veggie Trays

CALL JOHNNY’S FOR TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL SHIVA TRAYS. 

054_DJN032620_AL Danny.indd 54
054_DJN032620_AL Danny.indd 54
3/23/20 12:39 PM
3/23/20 12:39 PM

