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.