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A short while after its fourth anniversary, Steven Lelli's Inn on the Green did not deny that rumors were true about it perhaps moving … Word was that Downtown Detroit bigwigs, among others, were courting the Italian bistro with attractive offers. However, here it is 2015, and Steven Lelli's Inn on the Green, 12 Mile, just west of Halsted, Farmington Hills, is celebrating its fifth birthday … thoughts of moving are only a faint memory as the signing of a long-term lease to stay put became a reality. Steven Lelli's Inn on the Green is in choice company when it comes to being asked about moving … Among those in the past queried about relocating or opening a second site were Nerio and Irene Lelli, the original owners of Lelli's Inn when it was on Woodward, north of Grand Boulevard in Detroit … Like Nerio and Irene, owner Mark Zarkin is staying put. Out-of-town celebrities often are told about great restaurants in towns where they are appearing … This has happened frequently in the five-year history of Steven Lelli's Inn … Noted among famous favorites are Clint Eastwood and George Clooney … also Tony Bennett gulping down spaghetti and meatballs while one of his many recordings wafted overhead … "I'm singing for my supper," laughed the tuneful Tony. Ndamukong Suh retaining his wine locker at Steven Lelli's although no longer a Detroit Lion … former Detroit Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer having his engagement party at Steven Lelli's and Howie Long, football hall of famer and now a Fox sports analyst, dining there … and the list goes on and on with judges, sheriffs, NFL and Major League Baseball coaches and managers, mayors, Detroit Red Wings and Tigers, tennis champions, TV stars like Pam Dawber of Mork and Mindy fame, M. Scott Bowen, the Michigan Lottery commis- sioner, etc. … And so many from all parts of the country performing, playing or visiting here. The fourth and fifth years have brought consecutive Wine Spectator awards to go along with the numerous other fine-dining recogni- tions … And the big word getting around is that Steven Lelli's is tossing unbelievable bar mitzvahs, weddings, birthdays, etc., on its outdoor lawn and/or highly acclaimed, one-of-a-kind, indoor-and-outdoor terrace … When Steven Lelli's opened in 2010, only about 30-70 people could be accommodated at these affairs … The number has grown to more than 300 with facilities in the wind for accommodations expected to reach up to 500. Steven Lelli's has brought back the famed porterhouse and bone-in New York strip steaks and is known for flaming tableside chateaubriand, Dover sole and Bananas Foster … Also, when opening back in November 2010, Mark was given the famous red sauce recipe served with al dente rigatoni garnished with fresh basil, so loved by Frank Sinatra, Jackie Kennedy, Woody Allen, Sophia Loren, Bennett, etc., by an owner of the once-noted Gino's Restaurant on Lexington Avenue on Manhattan's Upper East Side … Mark named it Rigatoni a la Gino and still serves the famed red sauce in all its present popularity. Anniversary No. 5 also brings another big reason to celebrate … Soon on board will be the addi- tion of kudos-winning and much medal-awarded Executive Chef John Somerville, directly from the soon- to-close Lark restaurant in West Bloomfield where he has been its much-heralded chef de cui- sine for 11 years and executive sous chef six years before that. Mark's big kitchen coup vaults Steven Lelli's Inn on the Green even higher into the exalted realm of major players in the world of culinary artistry … Chef Somerville brings some of the finest world-famous recipes that he has pre- pared at the Lark with much distinction. Steven Lelli's Inn on the Green has carved a most envi- able fine dining niche for itself … Five-year anniversaries tell many stories within that span of existence … Not the least of which are the trials, tribulations and advance- ments that may have occurred in that period … To say that Steven Lelli's has passed the test of time with flying colors during that stretch would be mild admiration … It is so much more. ONE OF THE WONDERFUL waitpersons at Pepino's, 17-year veteran Gina Ahrens, no doubt, speaks for its entire staff in her elation … "We are all excited at open- ing so soon in another location after the fire and to be with our customers again! We couldn't be happier to have Kathy and Carol again as our bosses and thrilled at having our same jobs back! It warms our hearts that people have been so amazingly supportive!" … (Pepino's is trying hard to open this year on Orchard Lake Road in Sylvan Lake.) SEEING FRIENDS IS easier now at Georges restaurant, Northwestern Highway, West Bloomfield … No more cen- ter booths in the dining room… all tables … New booths at Georges are now only on the restaurant's four sides … The new look is somewhat in the Sam Boesky theme of customers being able to see others like he had at his for- mer Darbys. YOU WON'T WANT to miss the Andiamo presenta- tion of one of Joe Vicari's most popular acts next door to the restaurant at his Celebrity Room and Banquet Center on 14 Mile, Warren … The Scintas, appearing Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 and 12, is a popular Las Vegas presentation of nonstop entertainment. OLDIE BUT GOODIE … While visiting in Israel, Morris buys a ticket and wins the lottery. He goes to claim it and the man verifies his ticket. "I want my $20 million," says Morris. "It doesn't work that way, sir," says the man. "We give you a million today, and then you'll get the rest spread out for the next 19 years." "Oh no," exclaims Morris, "I want all my money right now! I won it, and I want it!" Again the man patiently explains that he would get only a million that day and the rest during the next 19 years. Morris, furious with the man, screams out, "Look, I want my money! If you're not going to give me my $20 million right now, I want my dollar back!" CONGRATS … To Helen "Jake" Fried on her birthday …To Dr. Fred Bernstein on his 87th birthday. * Danny's email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net. Surprise Package Award-winning executive chef is coming to Steven Lelli's Inn on the Green. 60 December 10 • 2015 Danny Raskin Senior Columnist arts & life t h e b e s t o f e v e r y t h i n g John Somerville and Mark Zarkin 2IIHUQRWYDOLGZLWKDQ\RWKHUFRXSRQGLVFRXQW 2QHFRXSRQSHUSHUVRQSHUWDEOH ([SLUHV-1 2IIHUQRWYDOLGZLWKDQ\RWKHUFRXSRQGLVFRXQW 2QHFRXSRQSHUSHUVRQSHUWDEOH ([SLUHV-1 31646 Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills 248.855.4600 $XEXUQ+LOOV%ORRPILHOG+LOOV'HDUERUQ'HWURLW/LYRQLD3RLQWH3OD]D5R\DO2DN6KHOE\7ZS1RYL:DUUHQ 2032640 Maple & Farmington Rd. 248.539.0505 www.aloumararestaurant.com With coupon, not valid with other offers. Expires 1/31/16 10% OFF FOOD ORDER 2056940 Maple & Farmington Rd. 248.855.4000 www.operapastry.com Opera Pastry! Wonderful sweets, made to order cakes, including 7-Layer Cake, always baked on premises. Wishing you a Happy Chanukah! AL OUMARA or OPERA PASTRY Open 7 Days