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Culinary Dreams from page 39

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Co., University of Michigan,
Quicken Loans, Taubman Co.,
Mitt Romney, Rick Snyder and
Dan Gilbert.
"We cater all the social
events at Temple Shir Shalom
and Temple Beth El, but off-site
catering is the biggest part of
what we do," he says. "We
cater for visiting celebrities,
opening parties, tech parties,
weddings, bar mitzvahs, you
name it."
The catering business started
in the Temple Shir Shalom
kitchen after Sklar returned
from New York, where he
attended the Culinary Institute
of America. He grew up in
Farmington Hills and attended
North Farmington High School.
He was about 13 years old
when his passion for the
culinary world took hold.
"I've known what I wanted
to do for a long time," he says.
"I have an innate sense for
this, and I love it. I'm living a
dream."
Sklar, who became a bar
mitzvah at Temple Shir Shalom,
credits Jewish culture for putting
him in touch with other successful
entrepreneurs, which has helped
him grow his business.
"Without the Jewish
community, I wouldn't have
either company," he says. "It
started out with the foundation
of knowing a lot of Jewish
people in the area, and word-
of-mouth spreads."
The growth of Sklar's network
and businesses is in part due
to a decision he made to return
to the Detroit area after his
learning years in the Big Apple.
"My culinary-school friends
and I jokingly called ourselves
'the Jew Crew, — he says. "I'm
the only one who came back
from Michigan. I wanted to give
back."
Sklar is driven by a vision.
"I want the largest restaurant
group in Michigan," he says. "I
want to make the food scene
here what it is in New York,
LA, Miami or Chicago. I don't
think we have that yet. I want
to elevate this marketplace to
where it should be."
Social Kitchen and Bar is a
step in that direction. About the
unique name, Sklar says, "It just
explains what the place is. It's
social. It's a place for everyone.
It doesn't matter who you are,
how much money you make or

whether you are dressed up or
dressed down, the prices are all
approachable."
Everything from the menu to
Social's unique interior decor
is a Sklar creation. "It's like
nothing else," he says. "You feel
like you're on vacation when
you're here." Social's rooftop
dining area is proving to be
particularly popular.
He describes Social's menu
as "refined comfort food. It's
very simple. It's all from scratch
— every piece of dough, every
condiment, every dressing, every
sauce. Nothing is pre-made. All
the pastries are made in-house.
We have sloppy joe sliders, hot
dogs in blankets, and it's all
fun. It's for everyone. We have a
falafel burger on the menu and
fried chicken waffles. The food is
basic, but very refined."
What next?
"In the next 30 to 60 days,
we plan to close on our next
deal," says Sklar. "We're
looking at Detroit or another
Birmingham location."
How big is Sklar's dream? "I
don't see why I couldn't open up
70 restaurants in the Midwest,"
he says. "I honestly think the
sky's the limit. But I won't open
another one unless I'm sure the
quality would be perfect."
Sklar says his new restaurants
will have different concepts.
Some will be casual. Some will
be high-end. We're going to try
to develop a chain as well," he
says.
"I'm a lucky guy," he says.
"I'm doing something that I
love. I've never gone to work a
day in my life. I love being in the
hospitality business. I love the
rush, the people, the food.
"I don't mind being 'the help'
because I love to see the look on
people's faces. It's so gratifying
when you walk out to a table
and the guests are smiling.
They're celebrating a birthday
or an anniversary, and you just
made their day. You got to offer
them unbelievable food in a cool
setting with great service. To me,
that's gratifying, and that's why I
do what I do."

Social Kitchen and Bar is
located at 225 E. Maple, on
the north side of the street
between Woodward and
Old Woodward. It's open
from 11 a.m. to midnight
daily. For more, visit www.
socialkitchenandbar. corn.

