FARE

ALL'S

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The quality is worth the trip to Chef's Cuisine.

BY ANNABEL COHEN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE BAAN

ichael Hall is the chef of
Chef's Cuisine, a restau-
rant open for dinner
only seven nights a Nveck. For the past
six years, this out-of-the-way White
Lake eatery has been steadily growing
through little more than word-of-mouth
and a consistent patronage.
It's not a flashy place. In fact, accord-
ing to the chef, the structure was origi-
nally built as a casual Coney -rype
restaurant. From the street, it looks like
a cottage, painted pale green with big
shuttered windows fronted by a grassy
lawn. And although Hall's wife and
partner, Cathy, has transformed the 40-
seat, one-room dining space into a
charming cafe with dark green walls
and floral draped windows, there is vir-
tually no waiting room or noisy bar area
that most newer restaurants include in
their designs. Chef's is tranquil and,
well, polite — much like the Halls
themselves.
A Michigan native, Hall apprenticed
at \Vest Virginia's renowned Greenbrier

_

The menu is
Resort and has
eclectic; Hall,
cooked as far
along with assis-
as Harrah's in
tant chef Lucas
Lake Tahoe
Golden, keeps up
before return-
with food trends
ing to
but has a core
Michigan to
menu he has
live and work.
refined since the
\Vhy White
restaurant's open-
Lake? "It's
ing. Signature
near where we
dishes are con-
live," says
stants — includ-
Hall. "And the
ing portabella
area is growing
mushroom ravio-
and changing
Top left to right: Portabella Mushroom Ravioli, Bananas
li, pan-blackened
— the M-59
Foster Napoleon and Walleye in Crisp Herb and Pine Nut
rib-eye steak,
corridor is
Crust are among the offerings at Chef's Cuisine, above.
sesame crusted
booming."
ahi tuna, slow-
Hall esti-
roasted honey
mates that 75
barbecue salmon, crisp oven-roast farm
percent of his business is return clien-
house duck and walleye in herb pine-
tele. "People come in and they're sur-
nut crust, among others. Daily and sea-
prised," he says. "The restaurant is ele-
sonal specials are numerous — elk
gant, but comfortable — not stuffy." To
chops have been a special for about four
be sure, Chef's is neither frenetic nor
months now while desserts include a
ostentatious, in feel or fare.

melt-in-your-mouth apple cake,
bananas foster Napoleon, the requisite
chocolate offerings and more. Every
menu entree — which include salad or
soup and appropriate side — is $25 or
less (most are under $20). Once a
month, Chef's offers a prix-fire menu
that includes wine and a six-course
gourmet meal (call for dates and avail-
ability). A full bar and respectable wine
list complete the experience at Chef's
Cuisine.
With Cathy running the front of the
house and 20-year-old son Gregory
cooking in back, says Hall, "this is a
family-owned business, where people
can get a well-cooked meal — cutting-
edge — for a good price and where they
don't walk Out hungry." We agree. El

Chef's Cuisine

10790 Highland Road, White Lake Township

chefscuisine.net ; (248) 698-8823

Monday-Sunday, 5-9 p.m.

In The Neighborhood

More fine dining in the vicinity of our featured restaurant, courtesy of Style magazine.

FIVE LAKES GRILL Small - town

charm meets world-class dining in
this stylish setting- in the midst of
Nlilford. Great Lakes ingredients
meld with European panache to
create an exclusive culinary expe-
rience. 424 N. Main, Milford.

(248) 684-7455

Above: Barbecued duck breast from Jeremy

GRAVITY BAR & GRILLE
Where trendy appeal mingles with
a friendly atmosphere. Nlichigan's
seasons inspire colorful creations,
while many house standbys con-

tinuously please. 340 S. Main,
Milford. (248) 684-4223

IT'S A MATTER OF TASTE

Overlooking Union Lake, an eclec-
tic menu and 'Tuscan design make a
trip to this spot a "must." The pic-
turesque lake view includes a ter-
race for outdoor dining- in season.
2323 Union Lake Rd., Commerce
Township. (248) 360-6650

JEREMY A refreshing addition to a

attractive, intimate setting, the bill
of fare is succinct, masterfully pre-
pared and as elegant as it gets. 1978
Cass Lake Road, Kccgo Harbor.

(248) 681-2124

VOLARE RISTORANTE

Reminiscent of a '111SCall villa, this
stunning newcomer to the area's
dining scene specializes in authentic
Italian cuisine as well as succulent
beef and veal dishes. 49115 Pontiac
Trail, Wixom. (248) 960-7771

sleepy lakeside community. With an

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