Corktown is the oldest existing neighborhood in Detroit, located in the downtown area. The area has seen waves of Irish and German immigrants - the name Corktown deriving from County Cork, where most of the Irish immigrants arrived from. It is mostly residential; therefore, restaurants are located in neighboring areas.
The Whitney offers fine dining in the heart of downtown Detroit. Situated on Woodward Avenue, just east of Corktown, this restaurant is housed within a lavish mansion that dates back to the 19th century. The menu features modern dishes that fuse ingredients from around the world; examples include rib eye steak with buttermilk redskin mash and bacon, and celeriac potato pancake with Swiss chard. Despite the luxurious surroundings, the prices are far more reasonable than one would expect: lunch ranges between $7 and $15, while dinner can cost between $20 and $40. The opportunity to walk around the well-kept gardens should not be missed.
Sports fans will enjoy Cheli's Chili Bar, owned by former Detroit Red Wings player Chris Chelios. Comerica Park, the open-air ballpark that is home to the Detroit Tigers, is right next door. Large flat-screen televisions show sports (particularly hockey matches), and this bar is a popular haunt for groups of friends after a good time, rather than an intimate supper experience. There is plenty of food, however, from steaks to the eatery's signature chili dishes, as well as 14-hour smoked pork sandwiches. Cheli's Chili Bar is also a safe bet if you're hoping to spend under $10 on food.
The Caucus Club combines the feel of a nightclub with a fine-dining restaurant. The interior is dimly lit, with period features such as old-fashioned carpets and ornate wooden furniture, its soothing décor having attracted many celebrities over the years. The menu features favorites such as filet mignon, Veal Marsala, pasta dishes, and shrimp and scampi over rice. Entrees are priced at around $20 to $25.
Slows Bar B Q is situated on Michigan Avenue, within the neighborhood of Corktown. As the name suggests, this eatery specializes in barbecued meats; the menu has beef brisket, baby back ribs, pork on the bone, and fish such as Alaskan salmon in apple BBQ sauce. All food is either slow-cooked or smoked for several hours for maximum flavor. Main dishes average around $15, and delivery options are available. This eatery prides itself on being eco-friendly -- all the wood used in the furnishings was recycled, and beers are all sourced from local producers.
