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Short Order

Great meals off Grand River

A shortlist of restaurants in Farmington and Farmington Hills

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$=$5-$10; $$=$10-$25; $$$=$25-$50; $$$$=$50+




2Booli Fresh Mediterranean Eats 37610 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-994-0614; 2booli.com; $$: When it comes to Middle Eastern restaurants, for many diners, the lack of a liquor license is a deal-breaker. Farmington Hills' 2Booli addresses the problem with not only a full bar but a happy hour that lasts all weekday evening. They specially note their menu contains a "large selection of healthy vegetarian dishes," all of which are indicated by an image of a carrot on menu. So what is "Mediterranean" food anyway? Think of it as Americanized Lebanese food. For instance, you'll choose among grape leaves, kebabs, shawarmas (2booli's is "nontraditional"), rice pilaf, crushed and whole lentil soups, fattoush salads, along with a smattering of pasta dishes. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Bangkok Sala Cafe 27903 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-553-4220; bangkoksalacafe.com; $: Attractive space seats about 60, serving solid entrées (gingery pad king is great) and dreamy house-made coconut ice cream. Dine in or carryout; handicap accessible; kitchen can accommodate dietary restrictions; lunch reservations recommended. Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; 2:30-9 p.m. Saturday; closed Sundays.

Bombay Grille 29200 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-626-2982; bombay-grille.com; $$: Grilled items are prepared in tandoors, deep clay ovens heated by actual charcoal fires for better flavor. You can watch the grilling through a window in the dining room. Wine, beer and liquor are offered. A special lunch buffet is offered daily. Open 11:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. and 5-9:45 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. and 5-10:45 p.m. Friday, noon-2:45 p.m. and 5-10:45 p.m. Saturday, and noon-9:30 p.m. Sunday.

The Breakfast Club 38467 W. 10 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-473-0714; thebreakfastclubrestaurant.com; $: Serious breakfasts: Eggs include omelets and quiche; flour-based fare includes pancakes, waffles, fresh strawberry cream cheese French toast and crêpes; spuds can come jacket-stuffed, hash-browned and even as potato pancakes with sour cream. Open daily 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m., will take reservations for parties of six or more. 

Camelia's Mexican Grill 30685 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-474-0902; cameliasmexicangrill.com; $$: Sister restaurant to the one in Royal Oak, Camelia's Mexican Grill offers Mexican food made from fresh ingredients, with a wide gamut of heat levels. Not just tacos, fajitas and burritos, but steaks, sandwiches and even some vegetarian choices. Hearty choices abound. Their chalupa platter specialty stuffs ground beef or chicken in three deep-fried tortillas with sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese. 

Culinary Studies Institute at Oakland Community College 27055 Orchard Lake Rd., at I-696, Building J, Farmington Hills; 248-522-3700; oaklandcc.edu/culinary; $: The Culinary Studies Institute at Oakland Community College does more than churn out aspiring chefs; it offers the lunch-loving public bargain meals that will effectively derail productivity for the rest of the afternoon. Open 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursdays; reservations required. Also, see the website and select "Dine With Us" to see a list of special meals that are open to the public. It has long been a well-kept secret, but no longer.

Greene's 24155 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington; 248-474-7980; $: Charming old white enamel steel structure has spent more than 50 years serving old-fashioned classics. The menu tops out at $2.49 for a double cheeseburger. The hamburgers are small and very greasy, but flavorful. Open daily from 9 a.m-9 p.m.

Hong Hua Fine Chinese Dining 27925 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-489-2280; honghuafinedining.com; $$: More like fine-dining than authentic Chinese, Hong Hua is elegant. The eggplant in chili sauce is excellent, as is the tasty, slightly sweet and crisped mu-shu pork. There's also a full complement of fried rices, chow meins and lo meins. Master Chef Peter Chan suggests the beef sirloin and king mushrooms with "Maggie" sauce. Last year, Hong Hua was listed as a notable restaurant, rated in the 20s, by Zagat, so they must be doing something right. 

House of India 28841 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-553-7391; $: A four-course meal for less than $13? Yes, it can happen here. For mild, try lamb dopiyaza (with whole onions); for hot, stuffed bhindi (okra and onions). Best bet: mango lassi (with buttermilk). Offers a massive amount of vegetarian options, including oven-baked eggplant. They'll make vegetarian food, but some of the oven-roasted meat dishes are signatures, such as tandoori chicken or chicken tikka. Open daily 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

John Cowley & Sons 33338 Grand River Ave., Farmington; 248-474-5941; johncowleys.com; $$: Nestled next to an old theater in downtown Farmington, the pub has been offering guests Irish hospitality, great food and entertainment at the corner of Grand River and Farmington Road since 1972. Upstairs, it's all dark wood, including a 50-foot handcrafted oak bar refurbished from a church in Holland. Downstairs is more dining-oriented, and most of the customers during the week seem to be tucking in rather than just drinking. And why not? There's a lengthy menu ranging from salads with Tuscan beef to traditional Irish fare and American entrées. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday.

Kabuki 28972 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-538-0664; $$: Japanese and Korean specialties, including shabu-shabu and bibimbap. A wide assortment of sushi and sashimi is also offered, giving you the checklist where you choose your various kinds of nigiri and rolls. Entrées include salmon teriyaki, donkatsu, nabeyaki udon, tempura soba, kabuki bento and bulgogi.

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