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Scene In Detroit: Green Dot Stables Is Off And Running

By Amelia Kanan, CBS Detroit Blogger

Think sliders, think race track, think beer served in glass mugs, think nuanced, and most importantly, think cheap -- The moment I pushed through Green Dot Stables' corral doors, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Leather cushioned seats were bound to dark wooden chairs, a world soccer game was playing on one of the flat screens (although I don't follow the sport, I find the images oddly calming), exposed brick held a mix of photography and old jockey helmets and of course, there was a bar with good-looking people not only working behind it but sitting at it as well (I refuse to mask my superficiality).

Before I go on, I need confess something: I was a little jaded when I sat down at the bar from remembering every 'fusion' burger, taco and sausage restaurant I've ever been to, all outside of Detroit. All of them have been inviting, hip with good beer, the food might have been 'ehh' -- but even if the food was incredible, it was expectantly overpriced and over hyped.

However, once I ordered my Belgian style ale from the local Dragonmead Microbrewery and brought my eyes to the menu, I realized my presumptuous attitude had been silly and insulting. This was not New York and I really need to learn my lesson about judging books by their covers.

Here's the deal. $3. For everything. Sometimes $2. Cheeseburger sliders, coney dogs with venison chili, lamb sliders, truffle and herb fries, hummus with rosemary-garlic nann, soup, smart beers and proud cocktails, cheesecake and even, dare I speak of it...a s'more slider made of Nutella-Fluff, all of it 3 bones and under.

Seriously, forget the Eminem and Clint Eastwood commercials because this is what the world needs to see of Detroit.

I hesitate using the word "gourmet" to describe the menu at GDS because even though the menu can make a food snob drool, what's so brilliant is that that same food can satisfy the stomachs of anyone, anywhere on the eating spectrum. Picky eaters, vegetarians, meat lovers, adventure tasters, and people who just like their food simple can all walk away from a meal not only full but with happy tastebuds.

To break the menu down, there are 18 different sliders, seven different kinds of fries, eight kinds of soups, sides, and salads and three desserts. On the drink front they have a wine list, a 25 bottle beer and four draft beer list, a few fun cocktails plus the basic beverages like pop, lemonade and tea/coffee. There are hints of French, Canadian, Southern, Creole, Detroit and Asian cuisines that all work together in producing a good old American menu.

GDS has only been open for five weeks and not even a week ago, received their liquor license. As of right now, their hours are Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Their goal is to be open weekend nights (late) and possibly even for a weekend brunch. There was a sneak preview of the brunch menu on Kentucky Derby Saturday and it was a huge success. Yet, there are still a few kinks to be ironed out. One being that they don't want to use and abuse their incredibly talented chef Leslie Molnar who has also worked at Roast as well as Royal Oak's Town Tavern.

In true local Detroit small business fashion, GDS supports local artists, business and products in every way they can.

I'm already champing at the bit to go back and I just ate there today. If you eat food, drink beer and/or like bang for your buck then it's in your best interest to saddle up and ride on down to Green Dot Stables for some finger licking goods. (Forgive the horse terminology, I just can't help myself.)

Please note: Green Dot Stables is technically located in Corktown however, it's off the beaten path so don't be confused by its location.

Amelia Kanan is freelance writer/photographer and a returning native of Detroit. A graduate of Columbia College in Chicago, she wrote for an Emmy nominated sketch comedy show and pursued her passion for documentary filmmaking in Los Angeles. An incomplete list of her loves: books, human rights, improv, the smell of new shoes, talking to strangers, libraries, France, yoga, furniture, music, sociology and pushing the limits.

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