Cork & Gabel — Restaurant in Detroit

Stopped in to meetup with some friends and to come see Wakefire play a set. I entered the parking lot and was astonished that I was able to find a close parking spot to park as at first the bar appeared full of people and the parking lot full. I was happy to find a spot as the bar is not in a really good area of the city. I walked in and right up to the bar. I pulled out a $20 & looked to place an order. Unfortunately, I wasn't greeted promptly, as four staff members, walked right on by and didn't even acknowledge my presence or even asked if I had been helped out or had someone taken my order. After several others who came in and had their orders taken before me was I finally approached and my order taken. The young man brought the IPA, I ordered and placed my receipt down on the bar. Everything appeared to be fine and the band was coming on and I was still waiting for my friends to arrive, what made this kind of awkward was I was approached by another bartender who proceeded to ask if I was a police officer? The leather jacket I was wearing that night does have on patches that resemble what the police wear on their uniforms. I politely replied "No, I am not a police officer!" It appeared odd as I thought I heard the bartender said was okay! I was goinng to let everybody...he then stopped his statement. I felt like it I had stated I was that somehow that he was going to send out a alarm to all the staff that there was a police officer standing at the end of the bar. Then after I stood there for a moment I wondered if I was being ignored at first when I first came in and that's why the others who came in after me were approached and greeted and had their order taken before mine. I also wondered if I was going to be ask to leave due to the patches on my jacket and if i had said I was a actually police officer. I wear those patches as a tribute to a Detroit police officer, whom I am named after, and who was a friend of my father's, who was killed in the line of duty trying to stop a robbery that was committed outside a bar in Detroit. So I wear those patches proudly. I finished my beverage and ask to get cashed out and I left as I felt like the whole atmosphere changed due to the perception that I was a police officer. As I walked to my car the parking lot attendant thanked me for coming and I left. I cannot state to the fact if this was the staff's mind set but it sure did feel that way. I would recommend coming here as the place was packed and everyone seem to having a good time with the aroma in the area smelt of good food and there were many drinks on many of the tables..they accept cash and credit cards. I would recommend parking in the parking lot and not on the street unless it is up close to the front door as the establishment is not in a good area of the city. The area is rebounding, but it's better to be safe...

Excellent hospitality, exceptional beverages, delicious food, and amazing ambiance! Upon entering the beautifully designed tile floor and the graffiti in the vestibule set the ambiance for this amazing building, which is absolutely stunning with the open kitchen, ceiling beams, and all the repurposed decor. We did not have reservations, which I would suggest making, but as we came right at opening on Saturday we were immediately greeted and seated at the long community table, which was a wonderful experience. There was another group at the table but we had enough room that we weren’t on top of each other and could still have private conversations. Service was great and attentive! Waters were always immediately refilled We had a house red wine, which was featured and with good reason. It was a delicious smooth blend. I am a cider fan, so we shared a bottle of cherry apple cider (bonus brewed in Michigan!) that was delicious and not too sweet. The real treat is the handcrafted cocktails. I had to have a second “Southwest” it was so exceptional! I love the infused tequila made in house, but it is spicy! We shared Miffy’s Mac with Chicken, which came with a true chicken breast not a frozen boneless, skinless breast. This was no normal “Mac n Chz” it was as gourmet as could be! We also shared the C&G Burger, which I cannot even describe - it belongs in a category of its own. It is well beyond a “burger” and cooked to perfection. The fries, which I try to usually skip, were so delicious that I was unable to pass them up. We were too stuffed for dessert, but seeing them as we were exiting, I will definitely be saving room next time! I have to comment once more on the service. Even after we had cashed out, the staff continued to be attentive and take care of us. We didn’t feel rushed. There was a table singing and celebrating a Birthday Party in the corner that added to the friendliness and ambiance. I loved Cork and Gable and will...

I went to an event in the private event space. The view was great, the food was decent (although not particularly special), but I can't get over how rude the staff were.

We put in a drink order shortly after arriving (once we finally found a waiter), and then it took 15 minutes to get our drinks. When it was time to order, the waiter was rushed and visibly annoyed, and kept mentioning how busy they were and how they needed to get our orders out of the way quickly. It was a night when you would expect a restaurant to be busy. It is up to the management to have enough staff to make a (presumably very expensive!) private event feel welcome, to not book the event space on busy nights, or to accept fewer patrons in the main restaurant.

The worst part is that we had a guest in a wheelchair, and the tables were high and completely inaccessible. Even for people with no mobility issues, they weren't very comfortable--some of the stools had no backs, and my table rocked back and forth.

When we asked if there was any way to get a small table, or even a normal-sized chair, we were once again reminded how busy the restaurant was by the waiter who was practically tossing meals around and then running back out.

Once again: this event was pre-planned. The hosts made an effort to make it a nice event, and presumably paid quite a bit of money. As a result of the restaurant set up and staff, we were made to feel packed in, rushed, and uncomfortable.

There are plenty of places in Detroit to get good food and an interesting atmosphere. Cork & Gabel has made decisions that sacrifice guest experience, which is not a way to gain...