 JANUARY 7 • 2021 | 37

R

epublica, a Berkley 
neighborhood 
restaurant-bar in the 
Woodward corridor, is making 
the best of the state’s current 
pandemic ban on indoor din-
ing. 
The restaurant’s front patio 
facing Coolidge Highway, 
so enjoyed during the warm 
weather, was partially enclosed 
during Thanksgiving week. On 
the patio, heavy white panels 
with faux window inserts are 
hung up shower curtain-style. 
When guests leave any of the 
seven multi-sized tables, staff in 
masks disinfect the patterned 
tabletops. For greater warmth, sit 
near one of the two propane-fu-
eled heaters. Bright flames soar 
inside the pyramid tower-shaped 
cages. Combined with tiny red 
lights strung overhead, there’s 
enough visibility for a solo diner 
to read at night. That would be 
me, having my first dinner par-
tially outside during 
December.
Republica is 
a family opera-
tion employing 
13. Co-owners 
since 2015 are 
Petro and Alexis 
Drakopoulos, and her parents, 
Keith and Georgia Omand.
Besides the patio dining, “we 
provide full-service catering,
” 
Georgia Omand said. “That’s 
kept us afloat. We’re trying 
to keep our staff employed. 
Unfortunately, this [latest] 
shutdown came at our busiest 
season.
”
I’ve dined happily before 
at Republica. My favorite on 
the Small Plates list is Flower 
Roast, a whole roasted cauli-
flower served with an incredibly 

yummy walnut-garlic spread. 
As identified with other menu 
items, Flower Roast is “G” for 
gluten-free and “V” for vege-
tarian. More small plates are 
Plato’s Potatoes, “award-winning 
fries tossed with Feta, lemon 
and oregano,
” and Turnip the 
Wings, five chicken wings 
topped with honey, lemon and 
rosemary, and served over 
braised turnip greens.
Republica offers Vegi Chili 
and Tomato Fennel soup in 
two sizes. Among four salads, I 
most liked the Beet & Arugula 
Salad. Other ingredients are blue 
cheese, pistachios, red quinoa 
and red onion.
The list of burgers and sand-
wiches is extensive, with glu-
ten-free bread/buns for an extra 
$3. Choices include Sweet & 
Heat Fried Chicken, the Berkley 
Brisket and two types of lamb 
burgers. For Village Burger, the 
burger toppings are Feta, dill, 
green onion and 
Greek yogurt. 
The six listed 
entrees are Ma’s 
Meatloaf, Pumpkin 
Mac, Paul’s BLT 
Pasta, Mitch’s 
Famous Ribs, Fish & 
Chips and my choice, Chicken 
Parm & Spaghetti Squash. The 
dish appealed to me because 
squash is a vegetable I rarely 
see on menus. I was less pleased 
with my pepita-crusted chicken, 
covered with a slab of melted 
and salty Mozzarella. I just 
wanted to try something new.
Six vegetable sides are $5, and 
the Kids Menu includes Grass-
Fed Hamburger. Republica, 
offering curbside pickup, opens 
at 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 
11:30 a.m. on other days. 

Republica 

ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER 
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
REPUBLICA FACEBOOK

NOSH

DINING IN THE D

REPUBLICA

1999 Coolidge Hwy.
Berkley, MI 48072
Phone: (248) 268-3175
Republicaberkley.com
**½ out of ****

On Star’s beautiful 
already low-priced trays

$5 OFF

Expires 02/28/2021. 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
STAR
DELI
DELI

COMPARE OUR LOW PRICES WITH ANY DELICATESSEN IN TOWN!

SALAD TRAY
$14.99
per 
person
per 
person 

DAIRY TRAY
$23.99

SALAD TRAY W/ LOX & CREAM CHEESE
$18.99
per 
person 

MEAT TRAY
$13.99
per 
person

Best Deli Trays 
In Town!

TEMPORARY HOURS:
8AM-7PM EVERYDAY

Carry-Out, Delivery & Curb Side Available

Prices subject to change

24555 W. 12 MILE ROAD
Just west of Telegraph Road • Southfield

248-352-7377

www.stardeli.net

Support Local 
Businesses

LET US HELP YOU MAKE LIFE SEEM MORE NORMAL — 
STOP IN OR CALL AHEAD

Call Today! 248.919.1244 
synergyhomecare.com/oaklandcounty

Care for 
Everyone 

 Mom gave you 

her best - now 

she deserves 

the best!

Call Jeanne Atkinson for the best 
home care in Oakland County!

Discreet, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, 

meal preparation, running errands, transportation, 

companionship and personal care.

