We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Sameer Eid, 84, one of metro Detroit's most prominent Lebanese immigrant restaurateurs.

This inspiring wisdom-filled conversation took place at his flagship restaurant Phoenicia Restaurant in Birmingham with a Lebanese menu that is 53 years old. The menu has clearly stood the test of time with many viewing it as the most authentic style of Lebanese food that Sameer brought from his mothers and grandmother's kitchens from his homeland.

Sameer is a legend when it comes to Detroit restaurateurs, along with the likes of Joe Muer, Duglass Duglass, Milos Cihelka, Lester Gruber. Now 84 and still driving his vintage corvette, the gentleman with the handlebar mustache who was once a dancer in Lebanon, exudes a certain Hollywood leading man persona that you just don't see much anymore. Still extremely active and relevant to the customers that dine at Phoenicia, his dynasty has grown as his son Samy, through his own creative leadership, has opened three other restaurants, Forest, Leila, and soon to open, Wilder’s.

Samy, along with partner, Chef Nick Janutol, are forging new paths while Sameer still maintains Phoenicia with passion and focused leadership to ensure that the food he introduced to the Motor City from his homeland is still the best around. When you visit, make sure you check out the Texas style ribs that Sameer introduced after living in Dallas for two years when he was younger.