 JANUARY 30 • 2020 | 53

Taste of China serves up 
unique Chinese dishes. 

the best of everything
Raskin

Authentic 
Chinese Cuisine

W

hen a conversation 
of culinary nature is 
many times leaning 
toward authenticity in dining, the 
question comes up as to where it 
can be gotten … And in so many 
instances it per-
tains to Chinese 
selections.
Among them 
in our midst is 
Taste of China, 
Middlebelt Road, 
off 12 Mile, 
Farmington Hills, 
whose claim is being totally dif-
ferent from the current Chinese 
dishes served in America … 
although such Chinese cuisine 

comes in many different ways 
with the vast number of provinc-
es within China itself.
A most important reason is 
that the kitchen at Taste of China 
is headed by a person who was 
formerly a top chef in his sector 
of China … and is steeped in that 
presentation.
When Taste of China opened 
in 1996, its authenticity became 
known in dishes like colored 
eggplant, chef beef, Chinese cau-
liflower in dry pot, sweet T-bone 
steak from an old secret Chinese 
recipe, etc. … Although some 
of the dishes served at Taste of 
China may sound familiar, they 
are highly steeped in authenticity.
The selections are huge … 
with noted names and many with 
new elegant tastes … from West 
Lake Beef Soup to fish in hot 
chili sauce to Chili Chicken, etc.
Taste of China is open seven 
days, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. … 
Seating is for 200, including a bar 
with 20 seats.
Authenticity is difficult in the 
presentation of Chinese dining 
… there are so many different 

regions …. Taste of China is 
strikingly favored among the best 
in Michigan.
THOSE WHO REMEMBER 
dancing to the rhythms of Big 
Bands every Saturday after-
noon in one-time Hotel Statler’
s 
Terrace Room … among many 
other folks with eyes of much 
nostalgia … is breaking news 
here that it will be the site of 
Joe Vicari’
s latest restaurant 
… To be called Statler Bistro 
… in Detroit’
s new City Club 
Apartments, Washington 
Boulevard and Grand Circus 
Park, owned by Jonathan 
Holtzman, grandson of the late 
Joe Holtzman, whose Jewish 
charitable work is remembered 
by many (staunch Israel support-
er, Jewish Federation, United 
Jewish Appeal, Allied Jewish 
Campaign, etc., etc.) … The din-
ing spot by Joe Vicari … his pres-
ent eatery No. 23 … will be an 
American and French restaurant 
… opening in the fall of this year 
… Stay tuned.
AFTER NOT BEING satisfied 
with his book The Hill That Grew 

ending up second in the 2019 
Midwest Publishers Awards, 
Jerry Naftaly, former Oak Park 
mayor, has written a new version 
with more pictures, etc. … Jerry 
is also working on a book about 
his former years as Oak Park 
mayor and says he may run again 
in 2021.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE …A 
Jewish man and Chinese gen-
tleman were conversing … The 
Jewish gent commented upon 
what a wise people the Chinese 
are.
“Yes,” replied the Chinese 
man, “our culture is almost 
5,000 years old. But you Jews 
are a very wise people, too.” 
The Jewish man said, “Yes, 
our culture is more than 6,000 
years old.”
“That’
s impossible,
” said the 
Chinese gent. “Where did your 
people eat for a thousand years?”
CONGRATS … To Peter 
Ginopolis on his birthday. 

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

Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

COURTESY OF TASTE OF CHINA

MAPQUEST

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

201
9
T
HE
 
WHI
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NE
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Elegant four course 

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