 DECEMBER 19 • 2019 | 69

Matt Prentice returns to the dining 
scene with Three Cats in Clawson.

the best of everything
Raskin

Welcome 
Back!

T

he return of a restaurant 
icon is always most wel-
come … Especially when 
that person is someone whose 
past record in 
the gastronom-
ic business is 
impeccable.
Such is that of 
Matt Prentice… 
Although the 
new Three Cats 

in Clawson may not be in the 
same dining vein as his previous 
ones, Matt’
s culinary experience 
is such that he is seldom wrong 
when it comes to filling a per-
son’
s tummy with satisfaction.
Being a manager and exec-
utive chef is far from his days 
of glory heading Matt’
s smaller 
restaurants and then a dining 
empire that featured some 
of this area’
s finest eateries… 
However, this is probably a 
stepping-stone for Matt after 
being away from his din-
ing scene and back after 
five years.
Three Cats, 14 Mile 
Road, between Main 
and Crooks, Clawson, 
is the former site of the 
historic Clawson Theater 
… Matt is in partner-
ship with Mary Liz 
Curtin and her husband, 
Stephen Scannell, own-
ers of Leon and Lulu, in 
a blending that may be 
the first of its kind or 
close to it, combining a 
retail operation with fine 
dining. 

The small plates menu, which 
is continually updated, is with 
emphasis on Michigan’
s boun-
ty … Seasonally inspired and 
freshly harvested food is served 
as the new eatery enters its first 
year of business … All baking 
is done on the premises, includ-
ing breads, rolls, pastries, etc., 
including the bevy of choice 
deserts.
The small plates menus are 
interesting and combine lunch 
and dinner offerings seldom 
seen in this region.
Matt and Mary met in early 
2019 and decided on opening 
a full-fledged restaurant inside 
the old theater … They built 
a large commercial kitchen at 
the back of the building and 
soon after a couple of trial runs, 
opened what they hoped was a 
huge step in the right direction.
Three Cats is open seven 
days … Monday-Thursday, 10 
a.m.-10 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m.-11 
p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. 
and Sunday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. … 
Seating is 99 with 40 outdoors 
with permitting weather … and 
five chairs at a bar.

Matt, of course, continues his 
excellent catering with different 
styles on and off the premises. 
Being back in dining action 
again, in itself, is a much-wel-
comed experience for both 
Matt Prentice and his many 
followers.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE …
The gent called his mother in 
Florida. “Mom, how are you?” 
he asks.
“Not too good,
” said the 
mother. “I’
ve been very weak.
”
The son said, “Why are you 
so weak?” 
She says, “Because I haven’
t 
eaten in 38 days.
” 
The son said, “That’
s terrible. 
Why haven’
t you eaten in 38 
days?” 
The mother answered, 
“Because I didn’
t want my 
mouth to be filled if you should 
call!”
CONGRATS … To Fran 
Seasons on her birthday … To 
Howard and Linda Nudell on 
their 52nd anniversary. 

Danny’
s email address is 
dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

PHOTOS VIA THREE CATS FACEBOOK

Mary Liz Curtin and Matt Prentice

Reservations at www.thewhitney.com
 (313) 832-5700

201
9
T
HE
 
WHI
T
NE
Y

Afternoon Tea

Elegant four course 

Tea Luncheon

Everyday at
2:00pm

