Danny Raskin

from DJN June 24, 2021

Goodbye, Tennis and Hello, Hockey

RASKIN

THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

An Ode to Steve & Rocky’s

If stoppage of restaurant dining ever did occur, which is very highly improbable, many eateries would be forgotten about … But not those who have made excellent marks for their customers to always remember. Such as those like Steve & Rocky’s on Grand River in Novi … Where its owners are also its executive chefs … ever on call or present when needed.

It all began when friend Master Chef Milos Cihelka, then executive chef at the Golden Mushroom, and Rocky (Charles) Rachwitz were on a hunting trip and Rocky told Milos of his longing to have a restaurant with more higher-end entrees then those he had at his two “Rocky’s” restaurants … Milos suggested that he do it with Steve Allen, a former worker under him at the Golden Mushroom.

After six months of remodeling, with Rocky and Steve as their own general contractors, their new baby was born … complemented with a complete wine cellar, etc.

The Chef Milos mushroom soup is a tribute to this region’s certified master chef … The elegant taste of this well-bodied soup is a classic.

MANY PEOPLE may not realize it, but serving customers at restaurants for a living is considered to be among the most difficult jobs on earth … Many waiters and waitresses struggle financially, so it is most important to be generously fair when leaving a tip … Customers should recognize things like waitpersons checking in a reasonable amount of time to ensure that meals are being enjoyed and taking action to correct any problem, being informed if daily specials are available, etc.

MAIL DEPT. … “You mention about celebrity restaurants but fail to mention Steven Spielberg’s mother. Why?” … Alicia Stone Balmer. (It was actually said to be his restaurant, “The Milky Way,” a kosher eatery by Spielberg on Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles, once run by his mother, Leah Adler, who passed away in 2017 at 97, after 40 years of seeing stars … It is still in operation by the family.)

WHERE ARE THOSE

great burger contests that always brought out the good, so-so and bad entrees that the owners think are good, chock filled with everything a good burger should not have?

OLDIE BUT GOODIE

… A fellow had told all his friends about the great steak he’d eaten downtown the day before … A group of them decided to head down and see if it was really as large and delicious as he was making it out to be … The group was seated in the back of the restaurant … After looking over the menu, they ordered and waited, hungrily, for their large, delicious steak … To

Danny Raskin their collective disappointments, the waiter brought out Senior Columnist some of the smallest steaks they had ever seen. “Hey,” the very embarrassed gent said to the waiter, “Yesterday, when I came down here you served me a big, juicy steak. Today, when I have my friends with me, you serve tiny steaks! What gives?” “Yesterday,” replied the waiter, “you were sitting by the window.” CONGRATS … To Selma Ruben on her birthday … To Alex and Diana Kovnat on their 40th anniversary.

STEVE & ROCKY’S