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An Elevating Feast
A true evening of elegant dining at Chaine des Rotisseurs gala.
A
s those who were present said
Alvin recalled the fine restau-
their "good evenings" before and rants of yesteryears with much
after the event, they couldn't
reverence ... As outgoing
have verbalized a more fitting expression.
baffle, Dr. Robert Levine was
More than 60 food and wine lovers, 40
installing his successor, glow-
percent of whom were guests, attended
ing with every word were Bob
the recent Elevation Celebration black-tie
Golding's wife, Leslie, and, at
dinner honoring Robert "Bob" Golding as
another table, their daughter
new baille (head honcho) of Chaine des
and son-in-law Jennifer and
Rotisseurs, Michigan Chapter of the inter-
Paul Silverman.
national gastronomic society ... Little
Ellen Wright, Delta Airlines
wonder that many attending for the first
pilot, flew in for the dinner
time signed up to become members or
whose attendees also included
took applications to join the group.
John Somerville, executive
Before dinner began, Bob told all that
chef at the Lark; Dan Vallone, executive
the "wine bottle" centerpieces on the
chef at Oakland Hills Country Club; David
tables looked like the real thing but were
Lum, owner of Eurasian Grill (reminisc-
the two-month work of Franklin Hills
ing of making Caesar salad tableside at his
Country Club's Pastry Chef Christine
Rikshaw Inn years ago); Dr. Susan Harold,
Herring ... amazingly made
remarking that when hus-
completely of sugar.
band, Harold Schreiber, was
The excellent dinner by
ill, "he almost starved on my
Franklin's Chaine mem-
cooking and had to resort to
ber Executive Chef Keith
carryout from Bacco."
Bjertness and his fine
Big bang, too, at the din-
staff, each course paired
ner's end when a waiter
with appropriate wine, was
clearing a table accidentally
delightfully impressive.
dropped one of the center-
Passed hors d'oeuvres of
pieces and instead of bro-
escargots, baby lamb chops,
ken glass ... a sweet carpet,
seared tuna, etc. ... five-
indeed, as plenty of sugar
course dinner of Jerusalem
was widely scattered.
artichoke soup and open-
The imposing dinner by
Robert "Bob " Golding,
face soft-shell crab sandwich the new bail le
the Michigan Bailliage will
... trio of duck that included
be followed by a shellfish,
a strikingly elegant mini
sushi and sake dinner at
duck confit and veal vegetable potpie that
Joe Muer Seafood, Detroit, June 18, and an
took five chefs 41/2 hours to make ... trio
authentic Puglia, Italy, dinner, July 23 at
of Kobe beef (braised short rib), strip
Silver Spoon, Rochester Hills.
steak, pepper-crusted culotte steak and
ALTHOUGH THE OPENING of a res-
dessert that included luscious chocolate
taurant usually isn't expected to present
chambord souffle.
much information except for customary
At my table were Michael and Suzanne
basics, this is another one that told an oth-
Mazur, Alvin and Carol Levine, Bob and
erwise significant story.
Leslie Golding, and Candice Lewis, who
The reopening of Morels on
drove two hours from Saugatuck to attend
Northwestern Highway south of 14 Mile
the sumptuous dinner ... Michael and
Road, Farmington Hills (former site of
AFFORDABLE
EVENT CATERING
BY ANDIAMO BLOOMFIELD
preparations and seafood knowledge
at the Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear Club
restaurant in Windermere, Fla., Emeril
Lagasse's TChoup Chop in Orlando, Fla.,
etc.
READER MINI REVIEW ... From
Dennis Silber ... "I recently submitted to
you a mini review comparing delis here in
Boca Raton, Fla., with those we remember
back in the Detroit area. I wrote that we
did not have a deli that even held a candle
to them to being pleasantly surprised to
visit the Stage Deli in Naples, Fla., and
discovering that it, too, was owned by the
same family as the Stage Deli back home.
"It is only an hour-and-a-half from
Boca Raton and had those great dishes
we grew up on in Oak Park and West
Bloomfield, the Mark Beltaire Salad,
Dinty Moore sandwich (Dinty Moores
are unheard of at Boca delis), 'melts' and
deli fish plates. Their breakfast menu is
large, but the best deal is their breakfast
special of $5.99 for any menu item up to
10 a.m. every weekday morning. And, if
you return for dinner, the second dinner
is free:'
MANY OWNERS opening new restau-
rants should, as much as possible, go for
volume with lower prices rather than keep
people away because of price and forcing
them to go elsewhere ... According to
many who have written in, if they don't
and are content with a scattered amount
of customers, so be it ... Those who do
something about the prices while the low
economy is recovering will discover that
business is still out there, even though the
profits may be smaller.
CONGRATS ... To Harvey Reznick on
his birthday ... To Kipton "Kip" Kaplan on
his birthday ... To Alan Swartz on his 70th
birthday ... To Alex Margulies on his 28th
birthday ... To Sol Kozloff on his 93rd
birthday. E
Danny's email is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net .
REDISCOVER THE NEW 62_ IMPROVED
ANDIAMO BLOOMF
BLOOM FIELD TOWNSHIP
At Andiamo Bloomfield, perfection
is our business. With our expert
staff, award-winning cuisine,
and exquisite space, we can turn
any occasion into an event to
remember. We offer two beautiful
banquet rooms accommodating 20
to 150 guests.
Whatever You're Celebrating
Let Andiamo Bloomfield provide the
perfect menu, planning and service
to make your event a stress-free
success! Menu prices start at just
$5.95* per person
*20 person minimum
Macaroni Grill) revealed that
Matt Prentice is definitely and
indeed back in full force, wield-
ing dining magic in the matter
in which he formerly built his
miniature dining empire.
Last week, it was thrilling
to attend the reincarnation of
Morels and welcome the quick
return to dining action of a
restaurant gent who rose from
a delicatessen counterman to
become an icon of what hard
work and perseverance will
bring in the world of cuisine.
MAKING ROUNDS ... To Cuisine,
Lothrop, Detroit, for seared scallops with
foie gras ... To Cafe Cortina, Farmington
Hills, for premises-made gnocchi ...
To Big Rock Chop and Brew House,
Birmingham, for lamb chops... To Assagi,
Ferndale, for paella.
MAIL DEPT. ... "You recently men-
tioned about receiving several requests for
places that make cheesecake. I live on the
east side, and there is a wonderful place
called the Cheesecake Shoppe on Greater
Mack in St. Clair Shores. I have enjoyed
their yummy choices of cheesecake for
many years." ... Barbara Karchin
OPENING DATE has been changed for
the new Prime 29 Steakhouse on the for-
mer site of 7 Ultra Lounge and Restaurant,
15 Mile and Orchard Lake Road ... It'll
open on Friday, June 8, instead of May 29.
And for those wondering where the
name Prime 29 comes from, it is for the 29
days that its steaks will be dry-aged in a
Himalayan salt locker.
Prime 29 Steakhouse's executive chef
will be 36-year-old Aaron Peggs, noted for
his many diversities in presenting special
items like Bone-in Tomahawk Ribeye
Steak that resembles a tomahawk and very
nutritious South Pacific Moonfish that is
similar to salmon ... Chef Peggs' dining
experience includes extensive steakhouse
248-865-9300
6676 Telegraph Bloomfield, MI • 248-865-9300
Illoommi
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