raskin
the best of everything
From the Land
of the Rising Sun
E
Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist
Find authentic
Japanese
cuisine at
New Yotsuba.
Jennie Choi and
Norimitsu Nagaoka
thnic dining continues its tremen-
dous advances in restaurant openings
… and among those that have been
receiving rave notices is one already consid-
ered among Michigan’s finest.
It was very good before ... among the
best ... but according to regulars it has gotten
even better in many of its selections.
New Yotsuba Japanese restaurant,
Orchard Lake Road and 14 Mile, West
Bloomfield, is a stand-by-itself authentic
Japanese favorite that took over from the
former owners this past April and has been
widely discovered again.
Only the word “New” has been attached
to the name because its previous reputation
was untarnished … However, many restau-
rants have their own personalities, and New
Yotsuba is among them.
It is a full-service Japanese restaurant
that concentrates only on Japanese cuisine
… sushi, sashimi, classic rolls, house spe-
cial rolls, noodles, teriyaki, fried rice, etc.
… And, most importantly, is insistent that
guests tell their server if they have food
allergies, dietary restrictions, etc., to accom-
modate them to the fullest extent … which
is most essential to their well-being … As
is the ultra-importance of freshness … and
the wide selection of Japanese favorites for
vegetarians.
If the menu does not have a requested
favorite dish, the chef will be sure to make
it for you, if possible … It is a thing like this
that helps so much in bringing out a restau-
rant’s popularity.
The strikingly beautiful interior is an ele-
gant surrounding … with Japanese dining
also on two floors or in an excellent Tatami
room, a traditional Japanese room, which
seats a minimum six people, a maximum of
12.
Although favorite dishes include most
anything sushi, sashimi, special rolls, ramen
noodles, etc., popular preferences are for
so many of the elegant selections … and its
own Omakase, a Japanese phrase that means
“I’ll leave it up to you,” the dining favorite of
some who leave the choice of items up to the
chef … along with the abundance of New
Yotsuba specialties like shrimp roll, fire-
cracker roll, rainbow roll, vegetable rolls, etc.
New Yotsuba, now owned by husband and
wife, Norimitsu Nagaoka and Jennie Choi,
seats 130 guests … and is open Tuesday-
Saturday, 11:30-10 p.m. and Sunday, noon-9
p.m.
Its entertainment is the food … Japanese
cuisine at its finest.
READER MINI REVIEW … From
Michael Salesin … “Friends of my wife and
I suggested that we try Bistro Le Bliss on
Orchard Lake Road, just south of Maple
Road. We went for dinner and met other
friends who raved about the Whitefish a la
Meuniere. We had wonderful mouth-wa-
tering appetizers and salad offerings and
enjoyed the delicious West Bloomfield
Onion soup. Instead of the traditional
crouton, a matzah ball filled the bowl! We
also ordered the delicious whitefish, which
consisted of two generous pieces atop a
large portion of Israeli couscous with squash
ribbons, sun-dried tomatoes, mascarpone
cheese, lemon Dijon beurre blanc and fried
capers. With it, we ordered the Rustic Ragu
Bolognese over tagliatelle pasta. It was bet-
ter than most we have had and enough for
the two of us for dinner the next night. The
service was great, and we complimented the
owner on a wonderful dinner.”
SEEMS LIKE THERE is no limit to what
most people today still call a Caesar Salad …
In most cases, originator, owner/chef Cesar
Cardini wouldn’t recognize his original con-
coction.
Adding chicken to it is tame compared
with some variations in a New Yorker
magazine article … Like at Vandaag, with
creamed pickled herring, olives and sausage
… Or Five Leaves, with Thai chilies and
aged Gouda cheese … At Millesime, grilled
hearts of romaine lettuce are filled with par-
mesan cheese and accompanied with slices
of smoked sable … M. Wells in Long Island
adds herring with red wine vinegar, olives
and mustard … And, according to the arti-
cle, Ciano puts in tomato sauce and Bartlett
pears … Yuck!
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … Little Yossi
and his family were having dinner at his
grandmother’s house. When everyone was
seated, the food was served. As soon as little
Yossi got his plate, he started eating from it
right away.
“Yossi, please wait until we say our prayer,”
said his father.
“I don’t have to,” Yossi replied.
“Yes, you do,” said his mother. “Don’t
we always say a prayer before eating at our
house?”
“Yes, but that’s our house,” Yossi explained.
“This is grandma’s house, and she knows
how to cook.”
CONGRATS … To Scott Raskin on
his birthday … To Sharon Schultz on her
birthday … To Sylvia Hubert on her 103rd
birthday. ■
Email Danny at dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.
Castle Hall is located within the historic G.A.R. building in downtown Detroit. Off ering two
private rooms with high ceilings, original wood fl oor and impressive views of Beacon Park.
Every event is planned with attention to detail, providing fi nishing touches that elevate your
event from the ordinary to the curated. From intimate events like weddings and bar/bat
mitzvahs to corporate mixers and holiday parties, Castle Hall can accommodate the scope
of your imagination. Please visit CastleHallDetroit.com for more information.
Our experienced team is available to provide you with a
quick and accurate estimate for any storm damage repair.
We also offer free, no obligation estimates for all types
of roof repairs, replacements, or installations, as well as
gutter, siding and window installation and repairs.
Contact us today to speak to a roofing expert!
31476 West Stonewood Ct.
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248-563-9387
cornerstoneroofingmi@gmail.com
cornerstoneroofingmi.com
1942 Grand River, Detroit, MI I 313.446.8360 I www.castlehalldetroit.com
jn
October 18 • 2018
77