arts & life

the b e s t o f
e ve r y t h i n g

Asian Infusion

Mon Jin Lau adds more fun and fusion to its Chinese fare.

W

hen this eatery opened about 47
Then there is the annual
the Corner Bar that was intro-
years ago, residents of the area
Chinese New Year in February,
duced with the building of a
were thrilled that a Chinese res- which gets bigger and better
second tower of guest rooms …
taurant with such an honored and respected
each year at Mon Jin Lau …
The Corner Bar is being done
reputation had come to their Troy neighbor-
This year again saw a human
away with.
hood … But they never expected it to gradu- dragon dance among fireworks,
The site will be divided into
ally make slight dining changes that would
etc., on one of the always much-
two separate rooms, one for
vault it high on the list of ethnic favorites.
awaited Shanghai Wednesday
private dining for 10-40 persons
Mon Jin Lau, 15 Mile and Stephenson
evenings at Mon Jin Lau.
and the entrance to it somewhat
Highway, continues to be a beloved Chinese
The excellent Shanghai
of a meet-and-greet area for
Danny Raskin
restaurant for many … But more so a
Wednesday night fun tradi-
cocktail
parties and receptions
Senior Columnist
Chinese restaurant with added complements tion has gone over with heavy
that will accommodate about 50
that constantly pushed it far into the Asian
acceptance by folks of all ages
people … The 2,000-square-foot
and then-some fields.
enjoying much musical entertainment and
Corner Bar will no longer be available for
The Chinese and more fusion din-
joyous frivolity.
everyday public use, with bookings made
ing themes at Mon Jin Lau so far include
“They were begun almost 10 years ago
through the Rugby Grille or the Townsend
Japanese sushi and Korean, Thai,
to give customers a place, midweek, where
Hotel’s catering or sales teams … Projected
Vietnamese, etc., dishes.
they could enjoy our food, listen to music
opening is for September of this year.
And, as another touch, there is delicious
and take a break from the stress of the work
The “fresh look” presence since Steve
Italian gelato ice cream made by General
week,” says Bryan … The first Shanghai
Kalczynski became Townsend’s managing
Manager Anthony Pannacotti, who first
Wednesday night was such a success that
director in 2012 has been nothing short of
learned to make his lus-
now more than 200
amazing.
cious dessert as a 9-year-
people come to revel
TIME AGO WAS when someone would
old youngster watching
in the fun festivities
ask where they could get an authentic French
his uncle in Palermo, Italy
… Varied themes are
meal, I would tell them about places like Allo
… He may be recognized
many times given
Paris or Aliette’s Bakery, among perhaps very
by many … from his for-
to the Shanghai
few others, and be assured of their having
mer days at Cafe Cortina
Wednesdays … like
authentic cuisine of that country.
and Bacco.
its annual Yelloween
Today, it would certainly include French
Certainly, Mon Jin Lau
Halloween Party,
Gourmet on Woodward, Ferndale, which,
is still a very good Chinese
Shanghai Christmas,
in my opinion, might be among the best …
restaurant … but so much
Chinese New Year, and Asking for assistance from owners Lina and
more with fusion of other
once-a-month Ladies
Marvin Bernstein would be heartily wel-
Asian dishes that have
Night, with women
comed.
continued the excellent
receiving one-half off
If not on the menu, assurance might no
Bryan and Brandon Chin
tradition by young broth-
food after 6:30 p.m.
doubt be that Lina could make it … Lina was
ers Bryan and Brandon
that evening.
highly trained on the job at many restaurants
Chin, working together with parents
A Chinese restaurant to be sure … But
in Paris and is many times considered on a
Marshall and May Chin.
even more so now, with a much-regarded
par or even better than many true French
Even some American-style dishes, like filet fusion dining reputation along with fun
chefs themselves.
mignon with Asian zip sauce … Japanese
nights that continue to gain more positive
MAIL DEPT. … From popular Gary
sushi such as few full-service sushi places
recognition every year.
Cochran, owner of the former Beau Jack’s res-
serve, like a Caribbean Roll, Arugula Roll,
FURTHER CHANGES THAT continue
taurant … “Retired? No way! I’ve been work-
ginger garlic eggplant rolled with Vietnamese the prestigious presence of Birmingham’s
ing with someone on a new restaurant con-
rice noodles, etc.
Townsend Hotel on Townsend Ave. include cept for a place on Torch Lake in Northern

58 March 31 • 2016

Michigan. Design, menu layout, etc.
“Mary Lou and I recently went to the
newly located Pepino’s (in Sylvan Lake). The
place was packed, and we ran into a ‘ton’ of
our old customers. As expected, the food and
service were excellent.”
MAKING ROUNDS … To Pars,
Farmington Hills, for skewered charbroiled
filet Persian-style … To Franklin Grill,
Franklin, for homemade meatloaf … To
Beverly Hills Grill, Beverly Hills, for crab
cakes.
MORE KUDOS FOR the Andiamo
Restaurant Group … Joe Vicari’s eatery at
Detroit Metropolitan Airport beat out four
other finalists to win nationwide Food and
Concept award by Airport Revenue News …
Quite a national honor.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE Dept. … Harry
appeared before the Heavenly Court at the
pearly gates. “What have you done to merit
entering Heaven? We do not see in our books
anything special.”
“Well, I can think of one thing,” he said.
“On a trip to the Black Hills, I came upon
a gang of tough-looking bikers who were
threatening a young woman. I directed them
to leave her alone, but they wouldn’t listen.
So I approached the largest and most heavily
tattooed biker and smacked him on the head,
kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring
and threw it on the ground. I yelled, ‘Now,
back off! Or you’ll answer to me!’”
The angels were impressed and asked,
“When did this happen?”
“Just a couple of minutes ago,” Harry said.
CONGRATS …To Sid Neuman on his
birthday … To Sue Maniloff on her birthday
… To Roslin Katzman on her birthday …
To Martin Diskin on his 87th birthday … To
Marvin Slof on his 88th birthday … To Al
and Marilyn Frommer on their 56th
anniversary.

*

Danny’s email address is dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net.

