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 ... • • • i• • • Deft Dinner • • for Two 11110••1111W111111111111•1111111111••••1111• III II II • ■•■ • II II • I ■ 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 • ▪ II I IN II IN ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ▪ • Deli Dinners Include Your Choice of Any: • ■ ■ < Two Sandwiches from Our Sandwich Board Menu ■ with Overstuffed Corned Beef, Roasted Turkey Breast, Pastrami, Willno Salami, Roast Beef or Tuna • Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Potato Salad or Cole Slaw Jell-O Dine-in special only U ■ 32418 Northwestern Hwy. between Middlebelt & 14 Mile Best Jewish Deli! i6betrotisivws U ■ 248.855.9463 ■ Order online: www.VineyardDeli.com • • •11•111111111111011•11•1111111•111111111111••••• 124.1030 ■ ■ ■ • Weekday Dinner Hours 4.7 pm is 12007 47