MACOMB TOWNSHIP, Mich. – When you walk into Penne Lane in Macomb Township, your senses are ignited.
The smell of fresh, homemade bread wafts from the kitchen, followed by the sweet sounds of The Beatles pouring from the speakers, greeting you at the door.
“As the youngest of five brothers and sisters, I shared their passion for The Beatles in the 70s, and now, I am able to combine both of my passions in my career -- good food and good music," said chef Bob Halaas.
Halaas, a veteran of the U.S. Army’s food service program, is no rookie to the restaurant business. He and his wife, Tonia, owned a breakfast and lunch diner in Chesterfield Township for 11 years before selling it to new ownership. It was appropriately named Strawberry Fields.
“That restaurant became a shrine to The Beatles,” said Halaas. “My memorabilia was up on the walls, even the menu was Beatles themed, 'I Want to Hold Your Hash.' The seafood portion of the menu was called 'Octopuses Garden,' and I could go on. And now, I am carrying my love for The Beatles over into our new venture.”
The couple's dream was to open a dinner dining experience. When Halaas spotted the vacant building on Hall Road and Gratiot Avenue, near the iconic Morley Candy factory, he knew it was meant to be.
“Penne Lane was the flip side to Strawberry Fields for us in our careers,” said Halaas.
A literal flip side. Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields are singles together on one of The Beatles 45 RPM records.
From Chicago-style deep dish pizza to classic Italian-American dishes, Halaas’ main goal is to serve good food that you won’t forget. It starts with the pasta. Halaas' has a secret weapon.
“I invested in an industrial-sized pasta maker imported from Italy,” he said. “All of the pasta, spaghetti, penne, lasagna, angel hair is made fresh daily with the machine.”
A machine they’ve nicknamed “12 grandmothers."
Halaas' love for good food is combined with his love for the "Fab 4." Throughout the restaurant, customers will find strategically placed Beatles art work, but bigger plans are in place.
“This place will become bigger and better with more Beatles, for me, the more the better,” Halaas said. “I think eventually we’ll bring in live entertainment featuring Beatles tribute bands and my dream one day is to hold an outdoor concert recreating the 1969 concert of the roof top.”
You don’t get any more Beatles than that.
Penne Lane is open for lunch and dinner
Hours: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Location: 44905 Morley Drive Clinton Township in Liberty Plaza.
For more information, call 586-615-5445 or visit pennelaneitalian.com.