Columnist Muriel Stevens: Nooner’s Cafe becomes a favorite

Friday, Sept. 19, 1997 | 9:12 a.m.

While recuperating from knee surgery I've been dependent upon friends not only for transportation, but for sustenance. One friend, in addition to driving me, shared one of his favorite places for lunch. We now lunch there regularly.

Tucked away in the corner of the Smith's Food King shopping center at Maryland Parkway and Sahara is Nooner's Cafe, a no-frills little lunch spot offering delicious food at excellent prices. Nooner's is an offshoot of Platinum Party Productions, a full-service catering and party company.

It was not the intent of the company to open a restaurant, but so many people kept mistaking the business for an eatery the owners decided to open for lunch.

Nooner's is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to the menu there are daily specials. One day it was fresh grilled salmon with a caper basil sauce, saffron rice and jumbo fresh green beans. The price for this delicious meal was a modest $6.95.

All of the food is fresh and attractive. The open kitchen gives a glimpse of the food preparations for catering events. Sometimes the specials include a sampling of the party foods.

The menu includes generously filled sandwiches ($4.25-$5.95) on a choice of white, wheat, 9 grain bread (a personal favorite) or a tortilla wrap. All are served with Nooner's signature pasta crisps.

Speciality sandwich wraps ($4.95-$5.95) are trendy meals wrapped in chili-flavored tortillas. The pasta dishes ($5.50-$5.95) are generously portioned and delicious. Soups are full-bodied and flavorful. One day I enjoyed a savory bowl of vegetable beef that tasted right out of mama's kitchen.

Steak quesadilla and citrus chicken quesadilla are hot sandwiches ($4.25) in a chili-flavored tortilla. Chicken fingers ($5.50) are served with French fries and ranch dressing. So far I've never been lucky enough to get to Nooner's in time for the eggplant Parmagiana served over pasta ($4.50). Only a small amount is prepared each day and it disappears quickly.

Pizza ($4.95-$6.25) is another favorite. The Nooner Deluxe is covered with ham, mushrooms, tomatoes, onion and garlic topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.

The deep-fried ice cream ($2.95) is said to be a scrumptious dessert.

Lisa Arnon, Platinum Party Productions' director of sales and marketing and party coordinator, doubles as the server during lunch. She's a charmer. Chef Brian Ladiera is always in the kitchen creating new dishes. Kristin and John McMillan are the business partners.

Platinum Party Productions offers party menus beginning at $10.95 per person (not including tax and service fee) for a classic hot and cold hors d' oeuvres event. A sampling of menus and prices for any type of party is available at the the restaurant.

For additional information call Lisa at 866-2567.

1-2-3 diet plan

Just in time for the upcoming holiday season, Weight Watchers is offering a brand new program that makes every food, without exception, perfectly acceptable. Dubbed the 1-2-3-Success Plan, this new program "alleviates the confusion, guilt and deprivation normally associated with dieting.

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