Steve & Rocky's restaurant in Novi to close, reopen under new ownership

Steve & Rocky's restaurant on Grand River and the outskirts of Novi Town Center in Novi, will close Saturday after 25 years in business. The restaurant is expected to reopen Tuesday under the new ownership.

The restaurant, owned by Steve Allen, along with business partner chef Chuck "Rocky" Rachwitz, who also owns Rocky's of Northville, was sold. Saturday will be the last day of service as Steve & Rocky's.

Allen, in a heartfelt Facebook post, announced the sale of the restaurant, with its motto of "simple food done well," to Bob Loomis, its general manager for the past 3½ years.

On Tuesday, the former Steve & Rocky's sign will change, Allen said, and the spot will reopen as Brentwood Grille under Loomis' ownership.

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The decision to sell the restaurant began with a lease agreement that was up. Allen, who said he will be 60 this year, started thinking about what to do next.

Steve & Rocky's has been part of Allen's family's life for many years. He called the restaurant his second kid.

"So, before the drive and passion slip away and I can no longer say that I love what I do, I want to be able to say that I’ve given my all and left nothing on the table," Allen wrote.

"It was very important to me that I didn't close the doors unexpectedly," Allen said. "I have people that have worked for me since 1999."

The owners struck a deal. Allen said in a Facebook post that Loomis has "agreed to keep all of the employees working and has honored their time served."

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At Steve & Rocky's, Allen, a chef for more than 40 years, provided diners with lunch and dinner menus that focused on fresh and seasonal, including produce from Allen's own farm.

The restaurant is known for many dishes, including the roast duckling and sauteed perch entrees and chef Milos’ creamy mushroom soup, hailing from the once-famed Golden Mushroom restaurant in Southfield.

The Golden Mushroom is where Allen got his start under the direction of legendary certified master chef Milos Cihelka — also known as the godfather of metro Detroit chefs.

In Allen's Facebook post, Cihelka was one of the people he profusely thanked, calling Cihelka the father he never had.

"When I first met you, I had no idea of a direction in life. I brought with me a strong work ethic and you showed me how to use it," he wrote.

Allen also thanked the staff and many guests during the last 9,135 days and counting as the restaurant's host.

Outside of the restaurant, Allen is also known for raising fresh turkeys on his farm, chickens, steers and, of course, produce. Many of those items landed on the restaurant menu.

But Allen said he is not leaving the restaurant entirely. He will stay on as a consultant and do some catering for the new restaurant.

Nearly 200 comments followed the Facebook post with many congratulating Allen, Rocky and the restaurant staff. People also shared stories of special occasions and commented on Steve & Rocky's "wonderful food."

At the end of the post, Allen thanked everyone writing that he is "humbly grateful."

"You have helped me climb and stay on top of the mountain for a quarter of a century," Allen wrote.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Steve & Rocky's restaurant in Novi to close, reopen with new ownership