Where has time gone?

It’s hard to believe it’s been over a year since I last posted. Folks, what can I say, I’ve been busy.

Amongst life as it happens I have recently celebrated the birth of my 4th child, Wilson Briggs Greig on 3/13/10. And yes Briggs is in honor of the once great baseball cathedral, Briggs Stadium, or as I knew it Tiger Stadium, formerly another great Michigan Ave. eating spot.With the new guy around I hope to spend more time writing and eating and posting on a regular basis.

Many tummy pats to all and GO Tigers!!!

Kong Kow Chop Suey

Monday night dinner and the wife and I are jonesing for some Chinese food. A close friend of ours recommends Kong Kow Chop Suey in East Dearborn near Schaefer Rd. so we decide to give it a try.

We get the carry out menu from the hostess who is straight our of a SNL skit. Her voice is piercing as all get out and she's very rushed in her speech, she's not all bad though. I'm impressed with the selection. It's a normal sized menu not one of those typical Chinese carryout menus, but rather a smaller, more desirable one. Looking around its nice to see some tables and booths in case I wanted to dine in.

Joan gets the General Tso's Chicken, the one dish we always get and rate the restaurant by, I order the Hunan Beef and we split an order of Potstickers. Fifteen minutes later were on our way home and the food smells pretty decent.

We arrive home hungry and ready to eat. The Generals Chicken isn't the best but better than the normal take outs we've become accustomed to. Its tangy and sweet with just a faint touch of heat. Beware though, the bottom of the carryout carton is packed full of broccoli so it looks like there is more chicken than there really is. I myself think the Generals Chicken passes the test until I get a ball of batter and no chicken. Hardly an oversight but rather a big hunk of filler. The Hunan Beef was horrible. I wish the meat was rubbery, but it was just plain tough and tasteless. The veggies were cooked well but the overall flavor was just not good. On a positive note I really liked the potstickers. The ginger flavor was a bit heavy but I managed to overlook it. 

In the end Kong Kow Chop Suey was no different than the run of the mill Chinese take out places we see all over the place. I had such high hopes as it did come highly recommended. I would go back because it is the better of the limited choices I have tried in my area. We all must remember this is American Chinese and so if you've ever had the privilege of eating in a Chinatown you know not much compares. All in all it passes, but just barely.

If going to Kong Kow Chop Suey heres a few tips:

1. Prices are on par with other Chinese restaurants so you shouldn't have any sticker shock.

2. It is a sit down restaurant in case you wanted to eat there.

3. They have a number of choices that you don't normally see at Chinese take out's.

4. I would get the potstickers, they were tasty and filling.

5. Rice is included with the dinners but unless you are getting a combo meal you will have to order an egg roll separately.

Dinner for 2 adults and 2 kids: $21.09 (includes tax only)

2-1/4 out of 5 Tummy Pats

Kong Kow Chop Suey

13337 Michigan Ave.

E. Dearborn, MI 48126

(313)581-5576

Harley's Dearborn Deli

Well on this snow covered Saturday January 17th the family and I decided to try out a local establishment. Harley's Dearborn Deli is located about 200 ft west of Telegraph on the north side of Michigan. You cant miss the "Harley Davidson" orange awning and unmistakable "Bar and Shield".

Walking in we were greeted warmly by the down home staff. This is more a diner than a deli so the country music and cramped quarters feel comfortable with the "How y'all doing" greeting. Sitting down I looked around and its unmistakable that the owner likes his motorcycle and the kitch that goes along. 

Side note here, I hate Betty Boop and feel she really doesn't belong in diner or deli decor whatsoever.

I parooze the lengthy menu. It has the usual fair of assorted sandwiches, burgers, entree's and breakfast. The deli sandwiches are noticeably missing the plane Jane run off the mill Corned beef, pastrami, and other deli meat sandwiches. What they do have are Rueben's, Clubs, and typical diner sandwiches.  Breakfast is the run of the mill fair you would expect, not at all a bad thing. In my opinion "don't mess with breakfast".

I order the "New York Style Pastrami" which is basically pastrami, swiss cheese, coleslaw and Thousand Island dressing. I may not be an expert but to me New York style pastrami means warm shaved pastrami on a good rye, this was neither. Joan go the BLT with the black pepper mayo, Jack got eggs and sausage and Harry the French toast.

When my lunch arrives it is a pastrami sandwich by name only. I'm disappointed to see your basic "Oscar Meyer" pastrami grilled and served on thick cut white bread. This was a huge disappointment because walking in I thought I was at a deli. Nope, just a diner. The "home made" coleslaw was the highlight of the sandwich and thats not a plus. Joan's BLT looks good. A generous portion of bacon on texas toast (see a theme) and the black pepper mayo is a nice addition. In the end though it's just a BLT. Harry's French toast looked and tasted horrible. Not one bit of the egg and cream coating associated with French toast rather it looked like grilled buttered toast. Jack's scrambled eggs passed, but how can one really screw up scrambled eggs?

In the end this was not what I had hoped it would be. Harley's Dearborn Deli was more a diner than a deli. A rule I always try and judge by, if you don't have anything better than prepackaged meats, just claim to be a diner that has deli style sandwiches. The real problem is Harley's fails on all levels. They should focus on a few areas and leave the rest of the menu to other places. If you're going to be a deli, be a deli. If you are going to serve breakfast, take some time and do it right.

If you plan on going to Harley's Dearborn Deli here's a few tips:

1. Don't expect a full deli experience, this is more a cafe or diner.

2. If ordering the special(s) be aware the prices change at 11:30 and you will be charged for extra condiments such as the black pepper mayo.

3. The menu has a wide selection of choices but the prices are a bit higher than I would expect.

4. The waitstaff is accommodating. They were not put out in the least to brew a fresh pot of coffee or cater to the kids. Thats a plus in my book.

5. Skip the dinner entree's altogether. Stick to the staples and try to enjoy.

Meal for two adults and two children: $34.77 including tax and tip

Rating:

2 out of 5 Tummy Pats

Harley's Dearborn Diner

24142 Michigan Ave.

Dearborn, MI 48124

313-274-5170

Roast at the Westin Book Cadillac

Technically Roast's address isn't on Michigan Ave. but it is on the corner of Washington Blvd. & Michigan Ave. And since this is my blog it counts.

I need to preface this review by saying I am a fan of Michael Symon and have had a chance to eat at Lolita in Cleveland so my expectations were high.

This is a higher end restaurant, I say this to dispense with the pleasantries. I walked in expecting five star service and was met accordingly. Keep in mind we had our two boys, ages 3 & 5 with us and not an eye by the staff was batted, a set and spike in my book.

The decor was simple and contemporary without being over the top, I'd say Banana Republic if they decorated a restaurant. I really dug the menu, it had a copper cover that gave a, dare I use the pun, meatiness to it. You see, at its core Roast is a grand meat house. The menu has the typical steaks and chops one would expect, but out of the corner of my eye I can see the roasting succulent pig. Oh that looked like heaven.

We decided on two appetizers. The first, Hungarian hot peppers stuffed with a lamb sausage and plated with a red sauce. The second, the charcuterie for two, which is a selection of smoked/cured meats, crust-inis and pickled jalapenos and onions. In my opinion this was the perfect starter. The salty prosciutto and salami along with the tanginess of the pickled veggies was a nice opening salvo. On the other side I really felt the Hungarian peppers were lacking. I grill them all summer and think they would have been better in olive oil instead of the red sauce.

On the recommendation of our waitress I ordered the Hanger Steak, my wife the 16 oz. Rib Eye (Go Girl), Rita, our dear friend ordered the Braised Beef Ribs and the boys split a fillet. They have a nice selection of pork and fish dishes but we all decided on beef. I struggled between the beast of the day and the hanger steak, but in the end 8 oz. of pork vs. 12 oz. of beef...Beef wins! 

There is a nice selection of sides, Joan and I by accident both got the polenta, Rita got the shaved zucchini and almonds.

Lets break it all down, my hanger steak was an awesome cut of meat. Cooked to a nice med rare that almost could have went a little warmer served with a garlic and shallot confi. The flavor was very rich and fulfilling. I am leery about steaks other than my own but this one was good. The polenta was a bit sweet for me and way too rich for the steak. Rita had ordered the zucchini which would have been a better choice. The zucchini and almonds had a citrus vinaigrette on them and the zestyness of it offered a nice contrast to the richness of the meat. The braised beef ribs were good but I felt like they reminded me of pot roast, but hey that's me. Joan's rib-eye was as good as my hanger steak and met our expectations. But that's the problem, it met my expectations but didn't really "wow" me.

Desert, in my opinion was a miss, we passed on it. The selection wasn't to jazzy, and for the price I'd rather hit up the Whitney. The one eye catcher on the desert menu was Beer and Pretzels, Guinness ice cream served with chocolate and carmel covered pretzels. Sounds different but Michael Simon is after all an "Iron Chef".

How do I sum it up, lets start here. 

Give Roast a shot. 

The menu is nice and the food is good, and for a night out you can't do much better in downtown Detroit. Did I feel like I got what I paid for, no not really. I missed the wow factor. Maybe I had built it up too much in my head but on the ride home my wife and I agreed that for the money it was lacking.

If you plan on going to "Roast" here's a few tips:

1. Reservations are a must. They are "kid" friendly but don't push it. We went to the first seating and called ahead. 

2. Go for the Charcuterie for 2 as a starter, its simple and flavorful and just enough.

3. The hanger steak is a cut from the lower section of the cow so know in advance the flavor is stronger than most cuts. They describe it a little more irony in taste which I think is a bit misleading I thought it was full flavored and rich.

4. Choose a side to accompany the meal. The waitstaff was very knowledgeable about the selections and can steer you right.

5. Have a coffee or an after dinner cocktail but I'd choose to skip desert, not overly impressive

See Roasts menu for pricing.

3-3/4 out of 5 Tummy Pats

PS. Our waitress name was Wendy and she was spot on. 100% patient with us and the boys at times and very personable. The staff of Roast should take note and celebrate a co-worker like that.

Roast at the Westin Book Cadillac

114 Washington Blvd.

Detroit, MI 48226

313.961.2500     www.roastdetroit.com

I know this review is long but I was able to meet Michael Symom at Roast the night we were there. I have to tell you he was a very nice man. Much like the person you see on TV. He came to our table and talked for a few minutes, joked with the boys, it was a VERY (Mercedes vehicle launch night) busy night for him but he still managed time for his customers. He is somewhat of a celebrity these days but you wouldn't know it. 

Millers Bar

What can you can you say about the perfect burger. This is the bench mark that all others burgers aspire to be.

Millers Bar located between Outer Drive and Telegraph on the north side of Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. Other than the marquee on the avenue you could easily pass it by. However if you do stop in you are in for a real treat.

First off at its core Millers is a bar, plain and simple. They happen to make the best burgers in the metro Detroit area, but let's be honest it's a bar. You gain a sense of your surroundings as soon as you walk in, patron's line up patiently along the wall across from the cooks' line hoping to score the next table or booth. While waiting you can't help but notice all the burgers on the flat top sizzling away, the smell is divine. This is where the burger faithful come to eat.

Once seated the no nonsense waitresses take your order. Don't even think about asking for a menu here you have basically two choices, burger with or without cheese. If its slow enough you may entice them for a grilled cheese but really don't embarrass yourself. You will have a choice as to how your burger is cooked; after all we do live in a democracy. Condiments can be summed up into four words; mustard, ketchup, raw onion and pickles. They don't do lettuce or mayo; you can get that at Burger King.

Once ready, your burger comes piping hot from the grill oozing with Velveeta cheese on the customary wax paper and if desired, with onion in tow. Me, I prefer mine with onion and ketchup only, but that's just me. One bite though and I'm taken to another place. Time and time again the burger is spot on. Different then a fast food burger, Millers excels at what they do best; a damn good burger. The right amount of beef and fat offer a taste unlike other bar burgers around.

If you plan on going to Millers a tip or two:

1. Be prepared for a wait if you're going at a prime time. Waits could last up to 15 minutes at the way outside, but it is so worth it.

2. Know ahead of time this is a bar burger so remember they have no lettuce, mayo or tomato. Raw onion and pickles are the veggies de jour.

3. Always do the double, meaning go with an order of fries and onion rings.

4. The bill is the honor system, be honest, Millers has been doing business this way for ever and we hope it always will, so pay your share.

5. Skip the beer and wash down the burger with a Vernor's, another Detroit institution.

$33.00 plus tip for 4 with cheese, the double (fries & Rings), and three pops.

Rating:

5 out of 5 Tummy Pats

Miller's Bar

23700 Michigan Ave.

Dearborn, MI 48124

(313)565-2577

Reviews to come

Reviews to come