arts & life >> the best of everything Heimish Holiday Large crowd relishes second night seder at Temple Beth El. p OTPOURRI Second night seder by Temple Beth El was a good opportunity for more than 160 in the Handleman Social Hall to meet and greet new Executive Director Kim Raznik ... Rabbi Daniel Syme was his usual big smiling self with hellos galore in his own gracious way. Fast-moving Passover seder entertain- ment by Rabbi Mark Miller, strumming his guitar in accompaniment to Cantorial Soloist Rachel Kalmowitz's beautiful rendi- tions, children's group presentations, holiday victuals by chef/owner Zack Sklar and his Cutting Edge Cuisine staff presenting tra- ditional Passover dishes along with both plain and chocolate matzahs ... Not to forget people like Sandy and Michael Hermanoff, among the many whose smartphones were silently picturing the Michigan State-Duke Final Four basketball game. Temple Beth El THE WELL-NOTED fine French Gourmet restaurant on Woodward, Ferndale, has reopened after a month-long vacation closing ... Plans by owners Marvin and Lena Bernstein include the addition of new authentic French selections to its menu. DANDY DINING DEAL ... Lake perch ... five days only, lunch or dinner ... Monday, April 20, through Friday, April 24 ... Also includes soup or salad, potato, choice of vegetable and breadbasket ... $7.95 ... 5th Tavern, Telegraph Road just north of Square Lake Road, across from Costco, Bloomfield Township. 5TH TAVERN, by the way, will have another look and more accommodations as of May 15 ... A 50-seat outdoor patio will adorn the side at its location on Telegraph. READER MINI REVIEW ... from Dennis Silber ... "We have been enjoying the special 3G's Gourmet Deli on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, Fla., a 30-year standby that gets better by age. We recently went there again with a group of four couples to allow us to generously order and do some sharing between us. 'Although 3G's is open for breakfast and lunch, we've learned that getting there for dinner between 5-7 p.m. is a guaranteed line and wait of at least a half-hour. The wait is worth it. The food is plentiful and a very delicious reminisce of growing up in Detroit delicatessens. "We began with appetizers such as chicken liver and onions or a giant bowl of two matzah balls in veggie/noodle soup with portions large enough to almost be entrees. "For the main course, we always have the sweet-and-sour-sauce stuffed cabbage, but also like the half chicken that is roasted first and then broiled, very moist brisket of beef or homemade cheese blintzes. The sand- wiches are jaw-breaking in size with any deli meats on their own homemade rye bread, especially the grilled or turkey Reuben. "We always order an assortment of side dishes for sharing, such as their three kinds of knishes, potato latkes and French fries that are always so crispy. Desserts at 3G's accompany all meals at no extra charge, featuring all homemade chocolate bobka, assorted rugelach or their very spe- cial bread pudding:' FUNNY GIRL Susie Essman, Jewish comedian appearing Friday, May 1, 8 p.m., at the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, 14 Mile, Warren, is seen regu- larly as Susie Greene on Larry David's offbeat HBO sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm ... Many folks might also have belly-gig- gled at her comedy stints in the Catskills (Concord, Raleigh and Nevele) ... Tickets are in big demand for sushi-loving (no meat, either) Susie's standup laugh-getting Andiamo appearance with some material you sure won't see on television. MAIL DEPT. ... "David and I recently drove over to Boca Raton for the JCC Michigan-Florida Golf Classic and Reunion Dinner. It was the biggest crowd ever, I am told. We sat with Nancy Baron, sponsor in memory of husband, Leonard Baron, and honorees Linda and Steven Weiss, and Denise and Elliot Parr. Robert Sklar and his wife, Beth, were also at our table. "The food was wonderful. We had salmon done to perfection. Lots of dollars were raised for the West Bloomfield JCC's sum- mer camp program and Sarah and Irving Pitt Child Development Center and pro- grams for children and teens with special needs. It was an outstanding evening. "Walk of Ages plans are progressing nicely. Arthur and Gina Horwitz are grand marshals this year, along with you, our grand marshal emeritus. It is Saturday, Aug. 23, rain or shine:' ... Geri Margolis IF YOU HAVE never tasted the huge favorite of dim sum at a true Chinese res- taurant, or are looking for a place that serves true authentic dim sum, I definitely suggest Shangri-La in Orchard Mall, Orchard Lake Road and 15 Mile, West Bloomfield ... You'll love its puffs, rolls, cakes, etc., including the numerous fillings and sauces ... Dim sum may be termed as an appetizer because they are not large, but the selection makes for a delicious meal ... And it is quite inexpensive. HERE'S A NOVEL TWIST ... Candy and nut trays or even bowls that are made from chocolate-covered pretzels ... with noth- ing left ... You even eat the trays or bowls! ... They're made and sold by Judye Kanfer ...Lots of chocolate, too, dark, white, milk ... and nuts also... Give the Southfield-ite daughter of the late Al "Gentleman Al" Kanfer a call at (248) 561-6460, or she can be reached at memoxaol.com AMONG THE BIGGEST follies or irra- tionalities in the restaurant business is the listening to too many people who have never been in the dining game or by those going into it for the first time ... In so many cases throughout the years this has meant certain failures or near failures ... and the needless cost of many dollars ... Even many of those who might have tasted a little of the restau- rant business in some way, perhaps may have unknowingly contributed to the failure of so many first-time eatery ownerships. OLDIE BUT GOODIE ... The doctor went out into the waiting room and told the husband that his wife, whom he had just examined, needed sex three times a week. The 85-year-old husband replied, "Which days?" The doctor replied, "Monday, Wednesday and Friday would be ideal!' The husband said, "I can bring her on Monday and Wednesday, but on Friday she'll have to take the bus:' CONGRATS ... To Keri Guten Cohen on her birthday ... To Marvin Yagoda on his birthday ... To Edward "Eddie" Radner on his 78th birthday ... To George Lukaj on his birthday ... To Robert "Bob" August on his 86th birthday ... To Gerald "Jerry" and Rose Light on their 61st anniversary ... To Sheldon and Peggy Sandler on their 50th anniversary. ❑ Danny's email is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net. Dine with Gsandkids. They eat FREE! With 2 adult entrees • After 3pm Not valid with other offers • Max 3 kids LVS. $5 OFF EXQUISITE CATERING & IMPECCABLE SERVICE Kosher-Chaim/ Yisroel Glatt Kosher tray and shiva catering, showers and weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, corporate and private dinners, on-site as well as off-premise catering iE TheEpicureanGroup.com/kosher-catering 0 MilkandHoney®TheEpicureanGroup.com 66 Apri116 • 2015 Your dining purchase of $25 or more With coupon. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 4/29/15. Dine-in only MMMMMM • Like us on Facebook Buy one Dinner get One 50% OFF With coupon. Not valid with any other offers. Expires 4/29/15. Dine-in only. L .. Moe's on Ten Leon's of Wixom 29710 Wixom Road • Wixom www.moesonl 0.com y MMMMMM 39455 West 10 Mile, Novi 248.478.9742 if 248.926.5880 www.leonsofwixom.com Saturday and Sunday Brunch 8am - 2pm