 FEBRUARY 20 • 2020 | 61

the best of everything
Raskin

N

ot only is Nino 
Salvaggio International 
Marketplace celebrating 
its 40th anniversary … It is also 
celebrating having one of the 
most prestigious chefs in this 
region of the country … West 
Bloomfield resident Pete Loren, 
whose kitchen magic in upscale 
restaurants had 
once received 
many notable 
commendations 
for elegant dining 
successes … Opus 
One, Detroit, 
Epoch Restaurant 
Group that includ-
ed Birmingham’
s 
Forte, the elegant Tribute in 
Farmington Hills and the origi-
nal London Chop House.
Now operated by Nino’
s fam-

ily, son Leo Salvaggio, daughter 
Andrea and son-in-law Frank 
Nicolella, and company president 
Kirk Taylor, Nino Salvaggio’
s 
is also noted as a culinary gem 
of numerous head chefs and 
counterparts who make their 
usual visits for dining prepara-
tion needs … Like Paul Grosz, 
owner/head chef of his very fine 
French Cuisine on Lothrop, east 
of the Fisher Theater, Detroit … 
and many others.
As Nino Salvaggio’
s director of 
culinary development for its four 
locations … Bloomfield, Troy, 
St. Clair Shores and Clinton 
Township … Pete has been on 
board heading the Salvaggio 
culinary arms since 2003 … 
and responsible for its gourmet 
popcorn made-in-house and the 
Northern Smoke barbecue sauc-
es, etc. … Also using his back-of-
the-house experience by design-
ing the Salvaggio commissary at 
the Troy location, where the staff 
daily makes soups, sauces, breads 
and Nino’
s Take & Bake pizza.
The Troy Salvaggio market has 
a coffee bar, and Bloomfield and 
Clinton boast small cafes.
Pete’
s culinary genius was once 
responsible for his obtaining gas-
tronomic degrees from Oakland 
Community College and the 

ultra-excellent Culinary Institute 
of America in Hyde Park, New 
York.
Having someone like Pete 
Loren to head its excellent 
food division is a feather in 
the cap of a highly respected 
Nino Salvaggio International 
Marketplace.
MAIL DEPT. … “I have a bet 
with my husband. He says that 
Sammy Lieberman owned the 
Raleigh House alone. Did he?
(No, he was one of 10 part-
ners.) 
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … 
Morris had fled his native coun-
try and sold his assets and made 
five sets of solid gold dentures 
with his cash, well above the 
limit he could bring into the 
United States. 
When he arrived in New York, 
the customs officer asked why 
anybody would want five sets of 
gold dentures. Morris explained, 
“Jews who keep kosher have two 
sets of gold dentures. Jews who 
keep kosher have two sets of 
dishes for meat and dairy. But I 
am so religious I also have two 
sets of teeth.
”
The customs officer said, 
“Well, that accounts for two sets 
of teeth. What about the other 
three?” 

Morris replied, “Very religious 
Jews use separate dishes for 
Passover as example. But I am so 
Orthodox I have separate teeth 
for Passover meat and Passover 
dairy food.
”
The customs official shook his 
head and said, “You must be a 
man of very strong faith to have 
separate teeth. That accounts for 
four sets of teeth. What about the 
fifth set?”
Morris looks around and 
spoke softly, “To tell the truth, 
once in a while I like a ham 
sandwich.
”
CONGRATS … To Dr. 
Leonard Aronovitz on his 
birthday. 

Email dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

NINO SALVAGGIO

Gourmet Market

Nino Salvaggio celebrates
40th 
 anniversary and one of
the best chefs around.

Executive 
Chef Pete 
Loren

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

PHOTOS BY NINO SALVAGGIO

32906 Middlebelt Rd (at 14 Mile)
(248) 855-0007

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www.johnnypomodoros.com

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