Alabama white BBQ pork plate. Handmade bratwurst, bacon bourbon.
Standby, a restaurant at 225 Gratiot Ave. in the heart of downtown Detroit, is definitely dstinctive.
It's tucked "into a rough-hewn, art-embellished alley known as The Belt," food critic Molly Abraham writes in The Detroit News:
Standby is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, but for those who appreciate the hideaway feeling and a menu that is far from traditional, it’s a haven. Unlike many of the new downtown establishments that appeal to a broad audience, Standby is a niche spot. You’ll either like it a lot or fail to appreciate its attractions.
A glance at the small fold-over menu makes it clear that the chef has surprises in store. He wraps sturgeon in chicken skin and garnishes the dish with confit gizzard and pickled mushrooms and finishes it with tea-smoked crème fraiche. It’s the most expensive entrée at $29. The Memphis-barbecue style loin and leg of rabbit are among the handful of main dishes, some of which have an exotic Moroccan spin, including the steak served with tabbouleh couscous, yogurt and leeks. Although not one of the sharable dishes, it’s hefty enough to split.