Arts & Entertainment
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING
Dynamic
Palate-pleasing pair achieve "hole in one" at Knollwood Country Club.
W
hen he came on board as
general manager, many of the
guys and gals who saw him
did a double take ... Surely, it wasn't the
same Randy Burgess who in other years
had brought them so much dining pleasure.
But it was ... the former vice president
of operations for Norm and Bonnie LePage
at many of their popular restaurants from
1984 through 1992, Nifty Norman's in
Walled Lake, Norman's Eton Street Station
(now Big Rock Chop & Brew), Norm's Oyster
Bar, Townsend Hotel, Norm's Diner, etc.
Then, shortly after Randy's hiring in
March 2006, following 13 years at Forest
Lake Country Club, the second half of
a dynamic duo was appointed in May
of 2006, culminating 10 years of direct-
ing food operations at the Grosse Pointe
Country Club ... This provided another
link that has helped vault Knollwood
Country Club into an even higher realm of
premier goodness in its field.
He was Executive Chef Richard Conover,
whose stints as Chef Carol Haskin's sous
chef for three years at Townsend Hotel's
Rugby Grille, kitchen stalwart with Chef
Brian Polcyn at Pike Street, etc., had
brought him much gastronomic note.
The two have proven a highly knowl-
edgeable combination in class dining
proficiency at Knollwood ... Not just good
food, but outstanding fare is one of the
prime requisites at a country club where
satisfied taste buds bring many pleasur-
able moments ... Add this to impeccable
service by a staff of highly trained compe-
tent servers and you have the full makings
of an important membership and guest
satisfaction.
A recent Friday evening, attended by
about 150 members and guests, was
Knollwood's first Friday Night
requests both inside and out-
Bar-B-Q of the year, sort of a pre-
side the club.
opening of the club's full-time
The excellent work of
food service ... It was coupled
Knollwood's entertainment
with a delightful wine tasting
and social committees, is
and presented the striking exper-
responsible for the continu-
tise of Chef Conover and his
ous programs of interest that
staff ... Cocktail hour with an
assure maximum member-
elegant and impressive array of
ship appeal.
Danny Raskin
hors d'oeuvres, piano rhythms,
Of noteworthy mention
Senior Columnist is the supervision by a staff
dinner with beautifully prepared
and most delicious char-grilled
whose sole trained respon-
strip sirloin steaks, broiled Chilean sea
sibility is its attendance for the good and
bass, yummy dessert station, etc. ... The
welfare of members' children ... This
steaks and sea bass were brought to the
makes for much appreciation as the kiddies
table by highly efficient waitpersons like
enjoy themselves downstairs while their
Sue Goncalves, whose pleasant and smiling parents upstairs equally enjoy a club event
graciousness was a pleasure.
... The youngsters are oblivious to every-
Dr. Barry Feldman, president of
thing but having a good time under highly
Knollwood, joins an exalted list of former
capable and familiar management ...
Knollwood heads whose names would
During the day, the same supervisors also
make up a wonderful hall of fame of
care for the children at their own "Camp
prominent local Jewish community lead-
Knollwood", in the pool, in fun games, etc.
ers past and present ... Like so many of
Good family country clubs such as
the previous presidents, Barry has done
Knollwood, Tam O'Shanter, Franklin Hills,
much to further enhance the pleasures of
etc., play major roles in the lives of many
this home away from home.
people ... The relaxing comfort of a high-
One of Barry's acquisitions, to my
quality family country club is priceless.
knowledge, is not seen at another such
THE ONETIME BIG feature at Howard
venue ... He wanted a smiling, familiar
Johnson Restaurants returns with the
and pleasant face for members to see when All-You-Can-Eat Fried Clams Feast, every
entering the time-honored Knollwood
Tuesday, lunch or dinner, at Giorgio's
and so enlisted the services of Andrew
Gourmet Diner, Orchard Lake Road, north
Bykowitz from his like position at the
of 15 Mile, West Bloomfield ... $9.95 per
Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn, to be Knollwood's
person, including salad or coleslaw ...
full-time concierge ... Andrew's vast
The clams are fried only in trans-fat-free
experience allows him to utilize his many
vegetable oil.
contacts in providing members with dif-
HUGE SUCCESS of its three-course
ficult-to-get restaurant, theater, sporting
$20 lunch at Tribute Restaurant, 12 Mile,
events, etc. reservations and tickets, along
Farmington Hills, brings another biggie
with travel arrangements and hotel accom- to the fine dining spot ... It is Tribute's
modations together with numerous other
new three-course prix fixe $50 dinner ...
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for Two
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Warm porcini mushrooms flan, organic
farm-raised chicken and chocolate pave
... Large response for the prix-fixe lunch
and dinners at Forte in Birmingham,
another Epoch Restaurants dining spot, is
also responsible.
MAKING ROUNDS ... To Moe's On
Wixom for fresh roasted turkey or prem-
ises-made meatloaf ... To Eurasian Grill,
West Bloomfield, for white tuna from
Hawaii ... To Kruse & Muer on Wilshire
for Tommy Bahama crab cakes ... To
Milk & Honey, West Bloomfield, for pis-
tachio-encrusted sea bass ... To Rugby
Grille, Birmingham, for French onion
soup ... To Sweet Georgia Brown, Detroit,
for short ribs.
ERRATA, TYPO, ETC., Dept. ... That's
American LIVER Foundation, Michigan
Chapter, not Lung Foundation, having that
great fundraising dinner, June 12, at Ritz-
Carlton, Dearborn ... Call Suzanne Gilson,
(248) 561-0777, for tickets to what may
be the only one of its kind anywhere ...
and soon likely a sellout, with one-half the
ducats already gone.
LOST AND FOUND Dept. ... Her
former roommate at Eastern Michigan
University in 1969-1970, Paula Duke,
is looking for Rochelle Mermelstein
Anybody know where Paula can find her
old roomie?
CONGRATS ... To Michael Abels on his
65th birthday ... To Jay Grant on his 85th
birthday ... To Norinne Selesko on her
60th birthday ... to Sidney Neuman on
his 78th birthday.
GET WELL WISHES ... To Lou "Louie"
Newman. II
Danny's e-mail address is
dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.
III • II III IN • ▪
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▪ • Deli Dinners Include Your Choice of Any:
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■ < Two Sandwiches from Our Sandwich Board Menu
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with Overstuffed Corned Beef, Roasted Turkey Breast,
Pastrami, Willno Salami, Roast Beef or Tuna
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Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Potato Salad or Cole Slaw
Jell-O
Dine-in special only
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32418 Northwestern Hwy.
between Middlebelt & 14 Mile
Best Jewish Deli!
i6betrotisivws
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248.855.9463 ■
Order online:
www.VineyardDeli.com
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124.1030
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Weekday Dinner Hours 4.7 pm is
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