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Last Updated:
Mar 19th, 2008 - 07:43:02 |
Hot Melone:
Westborn Market
Approaching Westborn Market on Woodward Avenue in Berkley is a visually stimulating experience. Most often, one experiences food with the eyes first. Sometimes one may be able to smell a certain food product, especially prepared foods, as one approaches it or it approaches one’s self. And then, all else follows, including taste and touch. And this very valid visceral key to a moving market experience is extraordinarily ample in its usage at Westborn.
Eye popping summer colors — lavenders, reds, pinks, greens, yellows and oranges — all bounce about in one’s visage while walking up the path toward the wide open doors of Westborn Market’s octagonal copper-topped dome of the new edition that was constructed from the summer of 2005 through the summer of 2006. Impressive as that may be, the other half to the major addition, which lies in back, houses the prepared foods and cheeses, deli and fish market, as well as the great olive display, baked goods, chocolates and wine.
With the assistance of General Manager Dominick Ascione, RD was given an impressive tour of the market amid the hustle and bustle of a bright Saturday early afternoon.
Summer fruits originating from California were on display just awaiting the arrival of anticipated Michigan-grown products. In addition to Michigan-grown fruit favorites like cherries, we will see vegetables such as tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers and bell peppers, all growing until first frost.
The “hot bar” really cooks, as they say, from 4:30-7:30 p.m., with a peak at about 6:45. Living in a culture that is constantly on the move, little time is lent to prepare a hot meal at home. Appealing to the go-go-go in many of us, here is a place where you can easily choose a beautifully done item or two to carry away.
Popular dishes like the daily done salmon have great appeal for flavor, easiness to eat and healthy Omega-3 oil. RD sampled the wood plank herb roasted salmon. Also on the plate was the Panko crusted Dijon boneless chicken breast as a summer special.
On the summer list was a zucchini cake with feta. Held together with a light egg batter, this beautifully balanced pancake alternative was flavored with a hint of salt, and a bit of white pepper.
Summer salad selections were bountiful, including seafood and broccoli slaw, curried chicken salad and Greek orzo salad. But RD found a broccoli tortellini salad that swung either way — main course or on the side, baby. With a bit of a pop from a peppering of green peas, this prodigal plate of pasta puissance put down.
Perhaps a nice camembert or Halloumi from Cypress would be appropriate for the evening. As there is a gorgeous cheese display available for shoppers, one may focus on the soft cheeses or the hard, displayed separately to help assist in the decision-making process.
The deli is simply overwhelming in the selection of meats offered. By far one of the many jewels of Westborn Market, the deli case is incredible.
A new fresh seafood counter has been installed offering great summer catches like salmon, shrimp, walleye and the like. Westborn houses an outstanding sushi counter, too. Attended by a sushi chef to take special orders, one may just start to feel as if there is perhaps just a little too much goodness!
But wait! We are not done. We need to garnish our lovely imaginary dinner with a selection of olives. Showcasing perhaps the most outstanding olive display I have seen in quite a while, Westborn touts some 30 different types of olives or olive combinations. Impressive — just impressive!
Stop for some gorgeous chocolate on the way to the cashier. And say hello to Rene, the wine specialist, as you choose that special summer bottle. Ask her about the “patio pounder.” | RDW
Westborn Market is at 27659 Woodward Ave., Berkley; 248.547.1000 or westbornmarket.com; Hours: Mon-Fri; 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sat; 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sun; 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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