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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