!LISTENING POST I BEST OF EVERYTHING I ne of Metropolitan Detroit's Most Beautiful and Exciting Restaurants \7° Will Be Open Thanksgiving Day 3 p.m.-10 p.m. Nov. 28, 1991 Serving Our Regular Menu And Also Featuring Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Make Your Reservations Now Ask About Our Catering Facilities For Your Next Occasion Dancing 'fliesday Thru Saturday 28875 FRANKLIN RD at Northwestern Hwy & 12 Mile 358-3355 Southfield THE CITY'S BEST KOSHER DAIRY TRAY • Lox • Sable • Chubs • Tuna Salad • American & Cream Cheeses • Tomatoes • Onions • Cucumbers • Olives • Bagels • Kaiser & Onion Rolls • Hard-Boiled Eggs or Egg Salad • Cottage Cheese with Pineapple Cherry Torte Cake I FREE DELIVERY 10 Person Minimum GOLDEN BAGEL $9 2 5 per person CAFE KATON Oak Park 547-3581 23055 Coolidge Under Supervision Of The ,ouncil of Orthodox 111313.1s Superb Northern Italian Cuisine Mon.-Fri. 11-11, Sat. 4-12 mid., Sun. 2-11 Valet Parking BANQUET FACILITIES 4222 Second Blvd. Bet. Willis & Canfield 83 3-942 5 RESERVATIONS TAKEN FOR MOTHER'S DAY Nationally Known For Serving 4-H Blue Ribbon Steaks and Chops. Excellent Seafood and Liquors. ALL BEEF AGED IN OUR OWN COOLERS Serving Daily From 11:30 a.m. — Sunday From 2 p.m. 3026 Grand River • Valet Parking • 833-0700 76 Tableside Flaming Of The Filet Is Back In Inexpensive Vogue FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1991 DANNY RASKIN Local Columnist A number of years ago, Martha Raye was seated at the Pump Room in Chicago when a waiter came by with a flam- ing tray . . . Her astounded companion asked, "What was that?" and Martha replied, "Probably one of his custo- mers who didn't leave a tip." This was in the days when public food-flaming at tableside with black tie was a gourmet novelty and hadn't yet reached the heights of popularity . . . When it did, flambe'ing suddenly sky- rocketed as people had pockets that not only jingled but crackled with fresh folding dough and credit cards were whipped out in wild abandon . . . Prices soared for the flaming dishes and customers didn't care how much they cost. The flames died down as people started watching their budget and slowly began flickering. A place like Boodles, southeast corner of 11 Mile and 1-75, has, through reasonable pricing, revived what might have become a lost art . . . Its tableside cook- ing during dinner within price range is the secret let out of a big success . . . done because the owners them- selves do the flambe'ing of specialty dishes .. . . Bruno Ferguson and Tim Kowalec with well-stocked rolling carts prepare the • select choices at dinner and although it is not a Greek restaurant their waitstaff also prepares flaming Saganaki Opa! This is just one of the Boodles' assets . . . Another is the time element getting there . . . only 10 minutes from 12 Mile and Nor- thwestern Hwy. via the oh-so- wonderful 1-696 that links east and west in a flash .. . Boodles saying "Where East Meets West," is just that and people are flocking in droves to this popular spot that seats only 95 on two levels in a seven-day operation that in- cludes Sunday brunch. The well-trained waitper- sons are another big plus .. . very big . . . as they present menus and serve and remove from the proper sides without the dreadful no no of reaching across the table. And for those wishing other than a flaming dish, there's chef Peter Lieber in the kit- chen, former Golden Mush- room stalwart under master chef/co-owner Milos Cihelka, and with owner Keith Famie of Les Auteurs at the former Raphael's in Sheraton-Oaks Hotel some years back. Entertainment goes on six days a week . . Friday and Saturday has Mel Thompson at the piano flicking a Gersh- win medley or "Our Love Is Here To Stay" or "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" or "Hava Nagila" and 'HI Were A Rich Man" . . . Then Mel goes into some Duke Ellington with his "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and perhaps other musicians will join him, like the guitarist while we were there who strummed away with Mel on "Sunnyside Of The Street," "It Had To Be You" and the beautiful, sultry strains of "Mizerlou" . . . Sunday and Monday, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. has Jerome Israel . . . Tuesday through Thursday is Joe Amijo on the 88. Boodles is an intimate place . . . A casual, free-standing building that opened in 1985 and has taken off with much popularity. So nice to have a waitperson who isn't lazy . . . Linda LaPorte is the kind you enjoy having serve your meal .. . walking around to each per- son at the table (there were three of us) and politely and efficiently serving the even- ing fare. Those rolling carts used by Bruno and Tim have double burners on them, allowing each to make two flaming dishes at the same time .. . This is certainly a tremen- dous asset since a person'S meal doesn't need to cool off while another one is being prepared . . . Their artistry is a sight to behold. "I'll take one of each," kids a customer as the pastry cart is rolled by with the goodies made by Boodles pastry chef Yvette Dean . . . Don't fill up on those rolls made at Boodles . . . there's plenty of food yet to come. The revival of what might have become a lost art is the result, strangely so, of today's economics . . . Tableside cook- ing, once thought of only as preparation for the well- heeled, is now accessible for all to enjoy . . . thanks to Bruno Ferguson and Tim Kowalec at Boodles . . . the east side sleeper that has never been allowed to doze off. CONGRATS . . . to Bonnie Brenner . . . on her 50th bir- thday . . . She is the wife of Dr. Sheldon Brenner, chief of staff at Children's Hospital. THE MODERNISTIC in- terior gives a feeling that this is not your ordinary kind of Chinese restaurant . . . but the design by brothers Howard and Ron Ellman is one of refreshment. Recent grand opening of Golden Phoenix at Sugar Tree on Orchard Lake Road, south of Maple, projected a look that combines modern with Chinese authenticity. Golden Phoenix is owned by Wendy Yee with brother Paul and his wife Cecilia, plus Wendy and Paul's mother, Kwai Lan, who runs the larger-than-previous kitchen . . . They moved here from Telegraph and Maple where Golden Phoenix opened in Reasonable pricing at Boodles is reviving a lost art. 1972 . . . Sugar Tree affords them much more parking than before to accommodate the present 110 seating. It had formerly been the locale of two operations, a bakery and retail clothing operation . . . Now in the heart of West Bloomfield, Golden Phoenix brings a solid reputation of approval. The lavender neon, modern hanging lamps, recessed lighting and frosted plastic divider inserts in wood frames between the booths, gray ceiling with light lavender cast from the neon tubing, mirrors on all the booth walls are among the modern decor amenities merged with an embroidered Golden Phoenix brought here from Hong Kong by Wendy Yee who serves as dining room boss . . . There is a huge painted wall mural of people going to a party in China, pic- tures from Toronto on the walls depicting various scenes, etc. .. These coupled with lavender tablecloths and white napkins give Golden Phoenix a delightful look .. . Nothing except perhaps a couple of little things were brought over from the former Golden Phoenix location .. .