.Arts & Entertainment TH E 0 BEST OF EVERYTHING you now someone oe You'll Be Floored! Nepali food and ambiance are authentic at Kathmandu Chullo. are ethnic cuisine has always held an intriguing spot in the hearts of many diners. Some styles of its dining experiences may come in strange ways to Western cul- ture ... Like eating on the floor instead of a table. Danny Raskin This is what one formerly Senior Columnist could have expected when dining at Kathmandu Chullo on S. Washington, between Fourth and Fifth, Royal Oak. Its menu is pretty much as the first Nepali restau- rant owned by Pradip "Rocky" and Nidhal Poudel, their Everest Express in Farmington. But the authenticity stopped with the cuisine of Everett Express ... whereby it continued much to a greater degree at their second restaurant, with all seating originally on plush pillows and the food served on little granite floor tables. Dining only on the floor, such as visitors to Kathmandu Chullo previously experienced, has been pretty much the standard in a Nepali home ... And in some Nepali restaurants, there is the choice of sitting Asian style on the floor or being seated at tables with chairs. This is now the offering as "Rocky" Poudel adheres to the wishes of others and includes four tables and chairs to go with floor dining. Kathmandu Chub° represents the fulfillment of one half of a dream by "Rocky" ... to one day have a restaurant like back home in Nepal ...... The other half is to own a farm where he can grow his own organic produce and herbs. Ninety percent of the Nepali food served at Kathmandu Chullo is considered very healthy in its organic growth ... Also never used by Rocky are preservatives or chemicals, and nothing is from cans or are deep-fried ... He won't even use any oils but vegetable, olive, mustard or sesame. Kathmandu Chullo opened this past March, 2005, with future expectations for other locales ... It is open six days, Tuesday- Friday, 11-11; Saturday, noon-11; Sunday, noon-10. Seating is for 65 in surroundings of walls covered with wreaths and floral arrangements, framed pic- tures, completely carpet-covered floor, etc.... Every house in Nepal has its own mini-temple in which the home's inhabitants go to light the candles and incense in their praying ritual ... Kathmandu Chullo has one as well. . Four of the dishes in Royal Oak are not on the Farmington menu because of a difference in kitchen size which is larger at the Royal Oak locale ... From its clay oven comes Manakamana Sekuwa, marinat- ed lamb chops; Marsandi Tikka, cubed and marinat- R ed chickedn with Himalayan herbs; Kukhura Poleko, marinated one-half chicken; and Fewa Tal Jhenga Macha, jumbo shrimp, with Himalayan herbs. All food is cut and prepared to order ... with din- ner entrees including soup, rice and bread. A Kathmandu Chullo dining experience adds much to the fast-growing interest in Nepali cuisine. I CAN REMEMBER a corned beef sandwich cost- ing 10 cents at various local delis ... Even five cents for a short time at Bolotin & Levine on 12th Street in Detroit ... But never a penny ... This is what a Kelly corned beef carryout sandwich is through Thursday, Nov. 17, at Stage Deli on the Boardwalk, Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield ... The corned beef sale was started back in 1963 by Stage bossman Steve Goldberg's late father, Jack Goldberg, as a pound for a penny at the Stage's original locale in Oak Park. "LEGENDARY LONDON Chop House Reborn" as headlined and archives-pictured in a local daily recently? ... Hardly! ... May be the same Murphy Building location as the former London Chop but will be just another name when Smaltz Ultra Lounge soon takes over the place ... Like the Downtown London Chop House by Maurice and Venetia Adams, that later followed the original great. MAIL DEPT.... "I am a former Detroiter and long- time subscriber to the Jewish News and still look for- ward every week to read your column. While clean- ing up a closet, I came across a London Chop House menu circa 1939. The prices are unbelievable. Much cheaper than any 'Early Bird' offered in Florida, ha! ha! I am also enclosing an old article about me that is over 60 years old. My six great-grandchildren will soon be old enough to learn more and understand World War II, and they might as well learn it from me." ... Harold "Hutch" Bobroff. (As a medical corpsman in 1945, he received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star serving with the Third Marine Division on Iwo Jima. "Without regard for his own safety, Harold Bobroff voluntarily went through enemy fire to bring aid to the wounded. He himself was painfully wounded but carried on until all wounded men were treated and evacuated, returning to the battalion aid station for treatment only when ordered to do so by his company commander." QUESTION & ANSWER DEPT.... Q. "My mouth has been watering for a truly good Philly steak sandwich. But I have little luck finding one. Can you help me?" ... Jill Schubiner.. A. Don't know what you mean by a really good one. There are numerous such goodies around, like the Philly steak sandwich folks talk about at Ginopolis' On the Grill, 12 Mile and Middlebelt, Farmington Hills. ❑ ■ Is passionate about our community • Works to secure the Jewish future ■ Champions Israel's cause ■ Advocates Jewish interests with our governmental partners Do you know someone who has made a real difference in our community? To nominate your candidate, for the Jewish Communi t Council's 2006 Activist of the Year, contact the Council at (248) 642-5393 ext. 0, or by e-mail at council@jimd.org . Nominations must be received by Friday, January 20, 2006. Jewish Commiinify Council= WE'RE PART OF THE TEAM Danny's e-mail address is dannyraskin@sbcglobatnet 1046480 N. November 17.2005 67