JULY 4 • 2024 | 31
J
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Chinese at Tel Aviv University 
and practiced Spanish with his 
paternal grandmother from 
Buenos Aires, Argentina. He 
also lays claim to a paternal 
grandfather born in Vienna, 
Austria; a maternal grandfa-
ther from Aleppo, Syria, and a 
maternal grandmother whose 
family lived eight generations in 
the Old City of Jerusalem. Only 
his maternal grandparents are 
still living.
Additionally, Kauf is a music 
lover who collects vinyl records 
and plays “a little” guitar and 
flute. He likes to run and 
participate at DYNO Detroit 
rock-climbing gym. A self-
taught gardener and beekeeper, 
Kauf takes a short walk to bring 
Cafe Prince his own flowers, 
produce, herbs and honey. 
“If it’s healthy enough to 
make for my beautiful wife, I’ll 
serve it to you,
” he said.
Kauf is married four years 
to Dr. Elana Molcho Kauf, 
31, a New Jersey graduate 
of Technion Israel Institute. 
Liking what he read online 
about Detroit, they didn’t mind 
moving here three years ago — 
where they didn’t know a soul. 
Elana is completing her 
OB-GYN residency at Detroit 
Medical Center, affiliated with 
WSU School of Medicine. Kauf 
found an online listing for a 
Kafka rental property, and 
the Jewish men bonded over 
Israel. The couple now live in 
a silvery steel home on a huge 
12,000-square-foot acreage 
(“three city blocks,
” Kauf said). 

On the same lane off Grand 
River is Kafka’s True North 
community, where several art-
ists and musicians live and work 
inside rounded-top, prefabricat-
ed steel “Quonset Huts.
”
Prior to the cafe, Kauf 
worked at Hillel of Metro 
Detroit at WSU. He recruited 
non-Jewish and Jewish campus 
leaders for a trip he led to Israel, 
transforming the participants 
into “friends and allies.
” 
When Kafka envisioned 
creating a welcoming gathering 
place for residents, he chose to 
collaborate with Kauf. The con-
cept included giving the com-
munity access to healthy, locally 
sourced food. They’ve done it. 
Starting my personal explora-
tion, I chose to drink a popular 
beverage dubbed “Holy Water.
” 
The refreshing, unsweet con-
coction of citrus and fizzy water 
is distinguished by a whole 

peeled “naked” carrot and large 
sprig of mint. Kauf said the car-
rot provides needed fiber after 
removing the orange’s pulp.
A must is Cafe Prince’s 
Avocado Toast. The bread 
halves aren’t spread with a 
mashed mixture, but rather 
thick slices of ripe avoca-
do. Fermented chilis placed 
between layers punch up the 
flavor. More comes from add-
ing dukkah, a house-made 
Egyptian spice blend that Kauf 
said is enjoyed in Tel Aviv. 
Cilantro and microgreens cover 
the toast, and don’t forget to 
squeeze some lime on top.
I also liked Baked Feta, made 
of 100 percent sheep’s milk feta 
cheese. Pieces of the accom-
panying bread were delightful 
for sopping up the dish’s tasty 
tomato sauce. The single purple 
basil leaf garnishing my plate 

came that morning from Kauf’s 
farm. 
Halva dotted with pistachio 
bits proved to be an unex-
pectedly tasty experience. The 
Middle Eastern confection 
typically has a chalky texture 
that puts me off, but this variety 
was moist and velvety. Two tiny, 
healthy treats offered here are 
a date filled with walnut pieces 
and a Brazil nut inside a fig.
The cafe is succeeding 
with its friendly and natural 
approach.
“Sun, soil, fresh air and 
water” are bywords for Kauf in 
growing “good honest food.
” 
The only kind served at Cafe 
Prince. Open daily at 8 a.m., 
the cafe’s closing time is 4 p.m. 
Monday-Thursday, 2:30 p.m. 
Friday and 2 p.m. on both 
Saturday and Sunday. Offsite 
catering also is available. 

Avocado 
toast

Baked 
Feta

Cafe Prince and 
Detroit Institute of Bagels are on 
Grand River, around the corner 
from this imposing building. 

CAFE PRINCE
4884 Grand River
Detroit, MI 48208
Phone: (732) 403-7904
Social media: 
thecafeprince.com, 
Instagram (cafeprince.
corecity) and Facebook
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