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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