November 19, 2015 | Jewish News

When it comes to where to eat and what to
order, I can be a little indecisive. Just ask my
fiancee — there’s no question she dreads
more than “What do you want to do for dinner?” There’s
actually an app that lets you digitally flip a quarter and,
candidly, we use it to make that decision more often
than I should or would like to admit.
Once we’ve settled on where we’re eating, to figure out
what to eat, I always start a meal asking for the chef ’s
recommendations. After all, he designed the menu; it’s a
safe bet he knows what his team does best.
To that end, one chef you can
always trust to prepare a sensational
meal is Derik Watson at Royal Oak’s
Bistro 82. He’s not just a great guy,
he’s also amazing at what he does;
and I’ve had the chance to try some
of his sensational tasting menus since
the restaurant opened its doors last
year.
Apparently, owner Aaron F. Belen
has realized those tasting menus are
too good to limit to special events.
Now you, too, can try a specially cultivated, five-course
tasting menu available to guests every Wednesday night.
The menu premiered last week at $50 per person, with
a three-course wine pairing available for an additional
$25.
The meal starts with a grilled Chesapeake Bay oyster.
Next come seared scallops and foie gras served alongside
gnocchi and butternut squash. The third course is
the phenomenal (trust me on this) roasted cobia with
Parmesan risotto, followed by an Angus reserve flat iron
steak with potatoes, peas and carrots. Finally, they top
it all off with a pumpkin genoise, a light, Italian-style
sponge cake with chocolate mousse and vanilla ice
cream.
While this is a meal you won’t want to miss, you
shouldn’t limit yourself to a Wednesday night. Bistro 82
serves an amazing dinner every night of the week and
sensational Sunday brunch during the warmer months
of the year. Whether you’ve never been or go every
week, I guarantee Watson and his team always impress.
SNACKS, PLEASE
Hungry at work? Soon you might not have to hustle
down to a busy cafeteria or nearby restaurant thanks
to Troy-based 365 Retail Markets. The company has
launched Verii, an in-office “snack station” designed
for smaller office environments that is plied with food
hand-selected for you. Able to offer more than your
average vending machine, a designated point person
orders snacks and refreshments on an Amazon-style
marketplace and they’re shipped directly to you and
made available for purchase through a mobile app just
for your employees. Learn more at verii.com.
SHORTS
If you’re a fan of Beyond Juice and find yourself east
of Woodward, don’t worry — the quickly growing
Birmingham-based chain (which added a Southfield
location on Evergreen earlier this year) will now keep
hungry shoppers healthy with a 1,500-square-foot
restaurant space on the first floor of the Somerset
Collection North. Look for both dine-in and carryout
options. Plans are in the works for another location
in Eastern Market, though no timeline has been
announced for that opening.
Mandaloun Bistro in Bingham Farms (30100
Telegraph Road) celebrated its one-year anniversary last
week. If you haven’t checked out the upscale Lebanese
restaurant, don’t miss their world-class stuffed grape
leaves, served a la carte at lunch or with lamb ribs at
dinner.
Turkey Blues: Expect to pay more this year if you
haven’t already picked up your Thanksgiving turkey. A
record outbreak of bird flu has prices up some 15-20
percent over last year in most states, which should average
out to an extra $1.30 per pound.
MAZEL TOV TO …
Ashley Stoneman and David Murav on their engagement.
Allie Singer and Blaine Hirsch on their engagement.
Elyse Cantor and Daniel Rogna on their engagement.
Evan Grossman and Brandon David on their marriage.
Torre Shapiro and Steven Hakim on their marriage.
Dr. Michael Abramsky on the birth of grandson Ari
Micah Abramsky.
Jeff Burmeister, named chief financial officer of PACE
Southeast Michigan.
New Bloomfield Hills Mayor Stuart Sherr, who took
the city’s top post last week.
And happy birthday to Larry Wolfe, Lauren Blitz, Jack
Kramer, Michele Harris, Dan Barish, Matt Ran, Justin
Jacobs, Steven Lewis, Alex King and Ely Tama. *