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Golden Rules!

Golden Phoenix serves up fresh favorites at neighborhood prices.

G

ood food, selection, quality and
service are major keys to dining
success and when reasonable
prices are added, they combine to achieve
leadership in neighborhood dining.
These are the formula rules for success
that has been reached by Golden Phoenix,
in the rear sector of Sugar Tree Plaza,
Orchard Lake Road, north of 15 Mile, West
Bloomfield, as the present ownership cel-
ebrates its sixth anniversary on Aug. 15.
Many may recall when Chinese restau-
rants made a habit of giving both quality
and quantity for the dollar ... This policy
has returned many-fold at places such as
Golden Phoenix, whose owners, Shaw and
Helen Ng, took over the Chinese restaurant
in 2002 and have vaulted it into ethnic
dining leadership.
No fancy frills, no overly exotic dishes
... Just good, high quality food at prices
that today's economy would dictate.
Restaurants like Henry Yee's Forbidden
City, Detroit, made a living out of two
items ... Oversized whitefish, 10-12
pounds, broiled or otherwise, a size sel-
dom found today in Chinese restaurants,
and lightly breaded veal cutlets with
tomato sauce or brown gravy and fresh
mashed potatoes, both of which folks used
to eat in large numbers ... Few places
have the two dishes in complete meals
that include soup choice, egg roll or salad
or tomato juice, entree, broccoli, freshly
peeled mashed or fried potatoes, six flavor
selections of ice cream and one sherbet
(rainbow), and hot tea.
Since its 2002 opening, Golden Phoenix
has seen more than 400,000 people din-
ing on about 150,000 pounds of chicken,
more than 270,000 pounds of bean

sprouts, around 25,000 gallons
A mom-and-pop neigh-
of soup (hot and sour, won ton,
borhood Chinese restaurant
egg drop, sizzling rice and veg-
is priceless and Golden
etable), etc. ... All vegetables,
Phoenix pins much of its
including those in its soup, are
success on this trust reputa-
the fresh variety, not from a bag.
tion as it goes ethnic dining
Golden Phoenix does not
another step forward.
pre-make orders ... All dishes
AMONG THE MANY
from the menu are custom
notes from readers regarding
Danny Raskin
prepared for ultimate freshness
the coming to Farmington
Senior Columnist
... Recognition of this is by
Hills of Mykonos Greek
its numerous Asian customers
Taverna, Caryn Jaeger
plus many others who frequent Golden
asks, "What is going on with the former
Phoenix ... Such a huge feature presents
Macaroni Grill location? You wrote that a
an even greater fresh taste ... Shaw and
Greek restaurant was going in there. All I
Helen are remembered by numerous folks
see is only a pile of rubble. It really looks
as the former owners of China Express in
just awful now.”
Sylvan Lake for seven years, which was
Developer and property owner Robert
noted for this important highlight.
Asmar e-mails the column that "Mykonos
The time-honored, lightly dusted veal
Greek Taverna will definitely open and be
cutlets are topped with an upgraded and
one of the classiest Greek restaurants in
much tastier tomato sauce or brown gravy, the Great Lakes region:' ... He also adds,
(complete meal $14.95, limited time) ...
"Whatever obstacles we encounter will be
and the potatoes, mashed or fried, served
successfully overcome." ... Now that the
with the veal cutlets are hand-peeled
building permit has been received after a
and prepared directly on the premises
prolonged 78-day delay, Asmar says that
... Those who enjoy the veal cutlets with
"The pile of rubble will soon be gone."
sauce or gravy on the side to do their own
RUMOR DEPT. ... It is true that
pouring need only ask that it be brought
Cheesecake Factory was trying to come
that way.
to Michigan, presumably Troy or Novi,
It is with much significance that the veal but, according to Howard Gordon, former
used at Golden Phoenix is of high quality
vice-president of development, "We almost
usually found only at upscale establish-
had a deal but they could not give us the
ments, not the pressed or low inferiority
space needed and we have been looking.
type ... Being breaded, however slightly,
Nothing has come up yet."
many times makes for unwanted cover-up
NEW FUN WEEKEND package comes
that is enough to take away confidence
to Pi Restaurant & Lounge, Northwestern
in a restaurant ... Golden Phoenix has
Hwy. and Franklin, Southfield, as owner
accumulated the high degree of supreme
Tony Gioutsos looks to take further advan-
faith, that is certainly something people
tage of the former Excalibur's full wooden
definitely want when dining.
floor ... Thursday evening dancing is

to standards, Motown, oldies, rhythm
and blues, etc. by the six-piece Hidden
Agenda band that played Excalibur and
Andiamo ... It is joined on Friday and
Saturday nights with terpsi and entertain-
ing activity ... Fridays are Salsa Nights
with Caribbean, Cuban, Puerto Rican,
(i.e, mambo, rumba), Latin rhythms for
dancing, lessons and entertainment ...
Saturdays bring more dancing and varied
entertainment ... The new booths at Pi are
moveable and make way for open space
dancing and amusement 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
MAIL DEPT. ... "Vacationers find a
lot of fun and places to eat in Charlevoix,
Mich. Terry's Place for whitefish, Village
Pub for fish and chips, Argonne for
shrimp, fried or steamed, Ironton Cove
Landing at the Ironton Ferry, Weathervane
Restaurant with outside dining overlook-
ing the channel, etc. And plenty of golf
at Ye Nyne Olde Holes, Antrim Dells,
Dunmaglas and Belvedere Golf Course.
Charlevoix Municipal is still a fun place
for golf even though golf carts are not
allowed. Must do things before leaving
Charlevoix are visiting Murdock's Famous
Fudge and enjoying take out from John
Cross Fisheries with whitefish spread and
favorite fresh fish:' ... Martin Kohlenberg.
CONGRATS ... To Dee Shapiro on her
birthday ... To Helen Glass on her birth-
day ... To Martin and Sally Kohlenberg
on their 50th anniversary ... To James
and Ruth Gray on their 40th anniversary
... (Correction: Congrats are to Ken and
Ronna Whiteman on their anniversary, not
Katzman). 0

Danny's e-mail address is

dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net .

tne alown,Weekeectifiti
cjv

Buy any bottle of wine for 1/2 off the regular price*
with purchase of two full course dinners
(cannot combine with any other offers)

10% OFF
TOTAL BILL

We look forward to serving you!

$5.00 off

I

With purchase of 2 full course dinners • Specials not included,
dine in only • Mon-thurs only
Excludes holidays • Expires 8/31/08

AL OUNI,)!\K)\

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Cl/COM ITAIAANA

YOhr

Fresh Mid-Eastern Cuisine

37646 West 12mile at Halsted Farmington Hills
248-994-4000 www.antoniosrestaurants.com
ours open Monday — Friday at 10:30 a.m. I Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 :,p
Private party rooms • Full bar • Children's menu
44 '

www.aloumararestaurantcom

1411290 „.

1411270

■ 1111•11•111•1110 ,

DINNER OR I
CARRY OUT 1

Both Locations

Expires 8/31/08

6123 Haggerty Rd.
(north at Pontiac Trail)
West Bloomfield
248.960.05 I I

6096 West Maple Rd.
(at Farmington)
West Bloomfield
248.539.0505

Open 7 days a week for lunch 4 dinner

August 7 • 2008

C7