Petty Cash opened up under a collective partnership with Art Hicks, Kelly McBride, Ron Bartell Jr., and Rufus Bartell.
Photo courtesy of Building Bridges In Our Community
Described as moody, elevated and soulful, an eagerly awaited new restaurant in Detroit is being welcomed on the Avenue of Fashion as the latest dining spot with an upscale vibe and feel.
Petty Cash, 20050 Livernois, is a Black-owned establishment under the collective partnership of Art Hicks, Kelly McBride, Ron Bartell Jr., and Rufus Bartell.
Petty Cash officially opened its doors to the public on Thursday, July 7 with an intimate ribbon-cutting ceremony and is currently accepting reservation-only dining, according to a press release.
Executive Chef, Dominic McCord curated the menu to blend his culinary artistic vision with soulful upscale and “approachable swag” that fits Detroit’s north side vibe, along with an accompanying craft cocktail menu by Bar Manager, Lani Ingersoll.
Kelly McBride, co-owner told the Michigan Chronicle in an interview that the group came up with the Petty Cash name to back their upscale-casual dining spot.
“We brainstormed and threw some ideas back and forth,” McBride said. “To me when you think petty cash (it’s) like your extra money; your loose money you take to spend.”
McBride added that restaurant-goers can feel comfortable wearing a blazer or jeans and a white T-shirt.
From lamb ribs and charbroiled oysters to a grilled caesar salad and tiramisu – gastronomical delights are set to tantalize the taste buds without hurting the pocket.
Vegan and vegetarian options, smoked meats, unique seafood, and pasture plates are also available.
McBride, a chef by trade, said that he and McCord collaborated on food ideas for the top-tier menu, which he knows will be a hit.
“He executed what I wanted and … he put his touch on everything I threw at him,” he said adding that a recently-held preview event of the restaurant “went very well” where attendees tasted their menu.
The execution and maintenance of Petty Cash cannot be done without staff, who McBride described as a young group of roughly 30 talented Detroiters, which he described as “amazing.”
“We make everything in-house,” he said adding that he loves everything on the menu including the duck. “One thing we want people walking away with is we made quite a few of our dishes sharable. If you come in to dine and have guests our dish is sharable enough for two to have.”
The 2,800 square foot space designed by Urban Alterscape and developed by R&J Development, pays homage to Black excellence, according to the press release, which will feature seasonal and eclectic foods that are locally sourced.
Located across from the Pembroke Plaza, the walkway leading up to Petty Cash is inviting with greenery intentionally placed throughout the spacious path.
During the event, attendees enjoyed the décor and camaraderie outside (and inside) the sleek black-and-gold themed space complemented with earthy and rustic elements dispersed throughout.
Ron Bartell Jr. Told the Michigan Chronicle during the event that bringing something upscale to the neighborhood was important.
“For something like this … a lot of times you have to go downtown… midtown,” he said of fine eating. “The neighborhood deserves (this). We deserve it, particularly as Black Detroiters. So that’s important for us.”
When it comes to catching the spirit of entrepreneurship, Ron Bartell Jr. said that it’s important to “don’t take no for an answer.”
“Be steadfast in your beliefs,” he said adding that making money is great but making an impact is even better by being an “influence.”
And what an influence this new spot is already having on others.
Wayne County Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman (Dist. 5) said while presenting the co-owners with a plaque that she plans to bring her associates, friends, and business partners out to eat at Petty Cash.
“I’m so proud to represent this district,” Clark-Coleman said as she congratulated the group and welcomed them to the neighborhood.
Operation hours are from 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday – Thursday (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.; bar open until 11 p.m. Also, they are open from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday (kitchen closes at 11 p.m.; bar open until midnight) The restaurant is also open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday with dinner from 5 to 9 p.m.
For more information visit https://www.pettycashdetroit.com/.
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