Devon Follbaum and Anton Veliu shared chef duties at Streetside Seafood in Birmingham, until Veliu moved to sister restaurant Town Tavern in Royal Oak. Follbaum says because she’s a single mom of a 5-year-old, “my time outside of the restaurant is usually spent with him. I am a big believer in teaching my son about food and where food comes from. We spend a lot of time going to Eastern Market, Honey Bee Market in Mexicantown, New Yasmeen Bakery in Dearborn, and other local markets and farm stores. My son is my little sous chef.” When they dine out? “We on occasion go to Al-Ameer in Dearborn (best shawarma ever!), Bangkok 96 in Dearborn for amazing Thai, and Miller’s burgers can’t be beat.” Taqueria Lupita’s in Mexicantown is their destination for street tacos, “and his personal favorite is Buddy’s Pizza.” On her metro Detroit restaurant bucket list are “Gold Cash Gold, Republic, Selden Standard, and Torino, to name a few.”
Veliu didn’t have to ponder long when asked about his favorite: Thuy Trang in Madison Heights. “The place is a complete hole in the wall but they make the best rendition (of pho) in the area,” he says. Veliu learned to love the dish while attending culinary school in New York. “I would eat pho at least three times a week. For some reason it is as comforting as my mother’s cooking.” Pho is a traditional Vietnamese dish consisting of a rich broth served with rice noodles. “You can add the ingredients to your liking, making it the perfect custom dish, adding spice or more texture as you go.”
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