More Detroit Eats: Gold Cash Gold
Last month, my wife took our daughters and some friends on a girls’ weekend in Chicago. While they were living it up by going to a show, shopping and having great food, my son got to watch me put up a tile backsplash.
Correction – he watched me for about five or ten minutes before hopping on his computer for a couple hours of nerdy Minecraft fun.
After the third or fourth session of using the wet saw to cut tile in a 25 degree garage, I decided “to hell with this.” Why should the girls have all the fun? So Mini-me and I went to downtown Detroit to do something manly – we went to the Auto Show. I suggested we turn up the manliness by running around shirtless through the worst areas in Detroit.
He had a better idea – dinner. What can I say, the kid’s a genius.
I had heard a little bit about Gold Cash Gold, a restaurant that opened a couple months ago a few doors down from Slow’s BBQ. It’s housed in a space that used to be a pawn shop of sorts, hence the name…
Like other new Detroit restaurants, there’s a firm commitment to local urban farmers and having a menu that changes based on what’s in season. In other words, total hipster overload.
But what I really like about Gold Cash Gold is that it’s more than the general farm-to-table “American” fare. The food here is firmly Southern with some old world European influences, all elevated with fine techniques and presentations. So in addition to fried chicken and shrimp & grits, you’ll also find classics like cassoulet and frites w mayonnaise.
The space itself is beautiful with its high ceilings and white-painted bricks giving it an airy feeling. I really loved the reclaimed wood ceiling –
There’s also a chef’s table, which is the only way you can get a reservation.
Otherwise, it’s first come first served. They don’t start seating people until 5pm, but if the bar opens at 4:30. So if you get there early you can put your name in ahead of time.
I started the night with a Boom Box.
Old Charter Bourbon, ginger-fennel syrup, Vernor’s, orange bitters
What We Ate
Cauliflower prepared three ways
Roasted, pickled, and pureed. With fresh herbs, capers, & raisins.
3-day short rib
With carrot puree, confit rutabaga, & turnip, pickly gremolata
Pickle brine fried chicken
with cornbread and gravy
Hazelnut Trifle
Honey & rum, diplomat cream, chocolate custard
Everything was delicious. The three preparations of the cauliflower gave very different flavors and textures that all worked together. The fried chicken was really juicy and perfectly crisp. But the real star was the short rib. It was so tender and not a hint of dryness and the root vegetable planks were great. The trifle was ok, a little too sweet for me but I supposed that’s the point of dessert, right?
Unlike true Southern restaurants, the portion sizes here were a little on the small side. However, the prices weren’t outlandish. This is definitely worth going to.
But Wait, There’s More…
I had this post mostly written for a while, but never got around to completing it. While it was waiting patiently, the whole family went to Gold Cash Gold a week or so ago. They were jam-packed but, luckily for us, someone had canceled their reservation for the Chef’s Table.
Here’s some more food
Burrata & pepper jam with grilled bread
Shrimp & grits with fennel chow chow
Cookie plate
The Burrata was excellent, as were the frites (not pictured). I really loved the shrimp & grits, especially the fennel. I just wish it were a little bigger. The cookie plate was good, but not sure it’s worth the eight bucks.
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10 comments on “More Detroit Eats: Gold Cash Gold”
Leave a Reply to Michelle Williams Cancel reply
wine century
Doppel Member, Baby!
i’ve been wanting to check out this spot and now you’ve inspired me to do so, sooner, rather than later –
Wow that place looks fantastic! But I have to agree, $8 for three cookies is a bit steep!
http://www.danikamaia.com
Then again it did come with half a glass of mik… Nah, still steep
The restaurant sounds awesome. You are doing a great job raising your son to be a foodie! Way to go! I have been to the Detroit Auto Show. It was awesome. We were in Sarnia for a hockey tournament that ended early due to defeat. We had some free hours before our flight and our choice was attend a game at the Joe (no way I was going in there unless the Stars were playing) or the auto show. Cheers!
The downside is theres no such thjng as a simple dinner out , bc they always pick te expensive places!
No, a downside I peoples who only like Applebees
I’ve been meaning to check this spot out. Also, Craft Work!
Hadnt heard about Craft Work. Looks good, affordable. Not sure when im going to the D next, so lmk how it is!
Vernor’s. The ginger ale of my youth. “Aged in Wood” Can’t always get it here anymore and definitely not as you move east.
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