Café Cortina in Farmington Hills is beginning its 50th Anniversary celebration: A Timeless Table — a year-long tribute to five decades of culinary excellence, family legacy, and community connection.
When Rina Tonon and her late husband Adriano opened Café Cortina in 1976, Farmington Hills wasn’t known for fine dining.
“No one thought we’d ever last on 10 Mile Road,” she says. “Only about 10 cars passed by each day.”
Nearly 50 years later, Café Cortina became one of Michigan’s most iconic culinary institutions, a serene, garden-lined escape where proposals, weddings, and family milestones unfolded beneath twinkling lights and vine-covered pergolas.
In the fall, Tonon’s contributions were nationally recognized when she was inducted into the Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRōNA) Hall of Fame, one of the industry’s most prestigious honors. She was celebrated at the DiRōNA in Napa event on Sept. 10 in Napa, Calif., surrounded by her sons, Adrian and Giancarlo, who played an integral role in Café Cortina.
“A trailblazer of farm-to-table dining and one of the Midwest’s most respected restaurateurs, Rina Tonon transformed Café Cortina into a nationally celebrated destination known for soulful Italian hospitality and a garden-to-plate philosophy,” says Scott Breard, CEO of DiRōNA. “Her story is one of passion, perseverance, and heart — qualities that embody the spirit of the DiRōNA Hall of Fame.”
Tonon, a first-generation Italian American raised in Detroit, says her inspiration came from her parents, who once ran Rina’s Pizzeria on Schaefer Highway.
“It was named after me,” she says. “I grew up watching my family cook, serve, and care for people. I knew from age 14 this was what I wanted to do.”
That passion found its match when she met Adriano at a Windsor dance at 17. “There were over 100 boys in the room, but I only saw him,” she says. “We shared the same dream — to build something together.”
But behind the romance was a story of resilience. Tonon weathered recessions, personal loss, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Along the way, she mentored countless young hospitality professionals, supported children’s charities, and stayed deeply committed to her Italian roots.
“I’ve always said Café Cortina wasn’t just a restaurant — it was a reflection of our values, our traditions, and our love for people,” says Tonon. “This recognition by DiRōNA was an incredible honor, not just for me, but for my entire family and the loyal guests who made this journey possible.”
The 50th Anniversary introduces a full year of special programming, culinary collaborations, community storytelling, and heritage experiences that spotlight the artistry, soul, and people behind Café Cortina. The year-long celebration includes special dinners on Monday, March 16, 2026, Monday, June 29, Monday, Nov. 2, and a Summer Garden Festival in Traverse City on Sept. 17-19.
