READERS'CHOICES 2003-2004 Award Winners COMPILED BY RONELLE GRIER AND ESTHER TSCHIRHART • PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE BAAN NOTORIOUS NOSHES KOSHER HOT DOG Costco Various locations throughout metro Detroit and the U.S. "I take my mother out to lunch once a week, and her favorite choice is always a kosher hot dog at Costco. We go there even if we don't have any shopping to do." — JoAnn Weissman, Birmingham Costco warehouse stores carry everything from milk and bread to computers, designer clothing and automobile tires as well as financial, travel and long-distance telephone services. Personal and business memberships are available. Customers can nosh on a variety of free samples while they shop. Claim To Fame: Costco is known for good prices on prescription drugs. Other Choices: Steve's Deli, Stage Deli BAKED GOODS (TIE) Diamond Bake Shop West Bloomfield (248) 626-2212 "I like their colorful bread. I'm a first- grade teacher and it definitely makes white bread more exciting for my stu- dents. Their seven-layer cake is won- derful, too; we had it for my daugh- ter's last birthday." Gail Dvorkin, West Bloomfield Diamond Bake Shop, which has been a metro Detroit standard for more than 30 years, offers a variety of Old World-style, pareve breads, coffee cakes, rolls, cookies, brownies and other fresh- baked treats. Holiday specialties are also avail- able, including hamantashen and a made-for- MATZAH BALL SOUP CORNED BEEF CARRYOUT Steve's Deli Bloomfield Township (248) 932-0800 "They've got the absolute best matzah ball soup with noodles. Their fat-free tuna and chicken salads are delicious. Steve's Deli is perfect for when you're craving homemade food." Kimberly Goodman, West Bloomfield Steve's Deli, owned by Steve and Joanee Hurwitz, has been serving up corned beef sandwiches, blintzes and other staples of that hearty cuisine since 1995. It's got a bustling New York-style atmosphere. Innovative dishes are offered daily, including many vegetarian and low-fat versions of old favorites. Everything is available for carryout at the hot-food counter. Claim To Fame: Carryout chicken soup in glass jars, from pint-size to a gallon. Other Choices: Matzah ball soup: Stage Deli, Bread Basket Deli, Deli Unique. Corned beef: Stage Deli, Star Deli, Bread Basket Deli. Carryout: Intelligent Chicken, The Sheik, Greek Islands Passover version of their famous seven-layer cake. Claim To Fame: Diamond's seven-layer cake, which comes in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit any occasion. Dakota Bread Co. West Bloomfield (248) 626-9110 "I like everything about the store, the service, the challah and I especially like the way the people who work there are always pleasant and smiling." Elaine Finkelstein, Rochester Hills Dakota Bread Co., owned by husband-and-wife team Tom and Jennifer Wilson, offers more than 20 varieties of freshly baked breads, cookies, fat- free muffins and cinnamon rolls as well as sand- wiches, soup and specialty coffees and tea. Gift baskets, trays and special orders, including bar mitzvah-sized challahs, are also available. Claim To Fame: Dakota is known for its rich, sweet challah, which customers can help bake on Thursday and Friday mornings and before certain holidays. Other Choices: Zeman's New York Kosher Bakery, Star Bakery ETHNIC ASIAN Mene Sushi West Bloomfield (248) 538-7081 "All of the sushi is really fresh. My family and friends love it so much we go at least two times per week. My favorite is the California roll." — Julie Jablonowski, West Bloomfield Baker Lynn Reister of Westland adds twist to Dakota Bread's challah. Mene Sushi, Japanese for "King of Sushi," offers more than 70 different varieties of the artistically prepared, raw fish and seasoned rice delicacy. For non-sushi lovers, there is a wide selection of noo- dle dishes, teriyaki and tempura. The restaurant is open daily and has a full bar. Claim To Fame: The Dragon Roll Other Choices: Hong Hua, Mon Jim Lau, P.F. Changs China Bistro SOURCEBOOK 2003-2004 • 1 3