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Johnny's Back!

Noted Asian chef leaves retirement to create authentic fare at Taste of China.

T

hose who remember Henry Lum's the dish himself for assur-
Great Wall restaurant of the 1970s ance of the authenticity being
on Grand River, Farmington,
retained.
will recall the fine Chinese dishes it used
Even the usual Chinese-
to serve ... and cooks like Wai Chong
American dishes found at
"Johnny" Tam ... For sure, many will
most Chinese restaurants like
never forgot those fine Asian dishes he was broccoli beef or cashew beef
responsible for as executive chef at Mon
($14.95) seem to have their
Jin Lau in the '70s after leaving Great Wall. own identities in taste ... Same
He left to finally open his own restau-
with the Singapore noodles
rant, which closed after 30 years in Ann
dish that includes shrimp, red
Arbor ... Johnny went into retirement ...
peppers, scallions, angel hair
but not for long ... just over a year.
rice pasta, chili peppers and
He is back again with his and wife Wing curry spices ($13.95).
Shan Tam's new Taste of China restaurant
Among the selections, 18 Chinese-
they opened last September at Middlebelt
American combinations include egg roll,
and 12 Mile, Farmington Hills, location of
vegetables and fried rice, $8.95 and $9.95.
the former Shangri-La Gardens.
The authentic Chinese menu is quite
It is not your ordinary style of Asian
different and also includes well over 100
restaurant ... Such a varied selection that
choices ... Most items are nothing like the
Asian diners come in droves for dishes
Chinese-American fare ... with delicacies
that cannot be found on regular Chinese
never before seen by many and regularly
menus ... In fact, because of this, Johnny
ordered by non-Asians as well as Asians.
and Wing have a separate menu that
Taste of China is open seven days for
includes the authentic Chinese delicacies
lunch and dinner ... Monday-Thursday,
from Szechuan to Cantonese to Hong Kong 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Friday, 11-10; Saturday,
to Shanghai, in addition to
12-10; Sunday, 12-9.
another menu with tradi-
Being at Great Wall
tional Chinese-American
and Mon Jin Lau are
delights.
very high recommenda-
Except for areas like San
tions of goodness ...
Francisco, New York and
Johnny having his own
Chicago, there are not too
restaurant again with
many Asian restaurants
wife, Wing, has made a
that have numerous dishes
lot of folks happy.
prepared with true authen-
WORD IS THAT the
ticity by chefs like Johnny
former Deli Unique
and his kitchen staff ...
location on Orchard
Wing Shan Tam and Wai Chong
Numerous authentic
Lake Road, West
Bloomfield, may soon
Chinese food preparations "Johnny" Tam
served at Taste of China
be reopened under new
originated from parts of China and were
ownership and another name ... Probable
brought here by Johnny and Wing or their
title may be Pickles & Rye ... Previous sign
relatives and friends.
had been that it would be a Matt Prentice
Also, since some of the kitchen staff may operation ... However, legal tie-ups can-
not make the authentic items as he does,
celed that ... Opening is tentatively slated
for around May 1.
Johnny many times is asked to prepare

GOOD SERVER DEPT....
Deanna Pepski at Prime29
Steakhouse and Seafood, 15
Mile at Orchard Lake Road,
West Bloomfield ... Her gleam-
ing smile is always there with
extreme efficiency, politeness
and professional ways.
READER MINI REVIEW

... From Geri Margolis
... David and I recently
enjoyed our dining visit to
Mediterraneo restaurant on
Main Street in Sarasota, Fla.,
across from the Hollywood Theatre. When
we arrived for our 7:30 reservation, there
was a full restaurant with people waiting
for a table, but we got right in.
"David had minestrone soup, which he
said was chock full of vegetables and one
of the best he has eaten in a long while.
"We both followed with a most unusual
appetizer which we had never before heard
of, thinly-sliced cured beef prosciutto
served with arugula artichokes and shaved
parmesan cheese. Next was the Tridor
Salad, a blend of radicchio, endive, arugula
and shaved parmesan cheese in a wonder-
ful vinaigrette dressing.
"We each had raves for our outstanding
branzino filet entrees, prepared with roast-
ed tomatoes, capers, pea pods and sprigs
of rosemary. It was truly divine.
"We found Mediterraneo to be a great
dining experience, enjoyed also by many
Detroiters that David and I bumped into
at the casual, but upscale Italian restau-
rant:'
IT'S LIKE SORT of a show ... The eight
hibachi tables that feature knife-tossing,
etc., chefs in the Hibachi Room next to
the sushi area at Samurai Steak House,
14 Mile and Haggerty, West Bloomfield
... But if you can believe it possible at an
Asian restaurant, no tea ... At least not on
the Hibachi side ... Don't know about the
sushi section.

THE WEATHER was near zero and snow
covered the ground like a large fluffy blanket,
but it couldn't keep the crowd down... In
fact, the Fourth Annual Chicken Soup Cook-
Off by Temple Shir Shalom at The Corners
building in West Bloomfield might have
had another record-setting attendance.
Professional winners were ... Hiller's
Markets with its creative contemporary
entry ... and Steve's Deli with matzah ball
and noodle soups.
In the Amateur Division, best matzah
ball soup award was shared by Jaden Bayer,
Michelle Bayer and Ken Feldman ... Best
noodle soup winner was Amy Weber ...
and top creative honor went to Katie and
Jeremy Brown. The event was chaired by
Terri Cooper, Rebecca Bershad and Debbie
Emmet (See "Around Town:' page 48.)
THEY'RE GETTING in line ... Latest
to join the parade of markets now carrying
localite Marsha Nuclei's "Marsha's Munchies"
products is Hiller's Market on Orchard
Lake Road and 15 Mile, West Bloomfield
... Such as her caramel nut crunch popcorn
(caramel corn) and Sweet & Sassy and
Lil' Hotties pickle chips (thinly sliced and
great in sandwiches) ... Others, along with
Hiller's, include Papa Joe's, Peter's People
Pleaser, Market Square, Steve's Deli and
Franklin Cider Mill during its season.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE DEPT. ... The
president of the congregation went to visit
its rabbi in the hospital, who had suffered
a mild heart attack.
"The board just voted 12-8 to wish you a
speedy recovery:' said the prez.
CONGRATS ... To Rhonda Ginsberg
on her birthday ... To Luciano DelSignore
on his birthday ... To Jackie Headapohl on
her birthday ... To Alberto De Santis on
his birthday ... To Dr. Bernard Maza on
his birthday ... To Howard Levin on his
71st birthday ... To Alan and Nancy Siegel
on their 40th anniversary.

❑

Danny's email is dannyraskin®sbcglobal.net .

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46

February 13 • 2014

JN

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