Small Plates Restaurant in Downtown Detroit: A Great Spot for Visitors

If you frequent the Detroit Opera House, you most likely have seen, heard of and probably even dined at the little restaurant across the street appropriately name Small Plates. This restaurant is usually filled with Opera House patrons on evenings of engagements, so filled, in fact, that we attempted to visit the restaurant on three separate occasions before we were finally able to get a table before the start of a Detroit Tigers game.

Upon entering the restaurant, you will immediately notice the warm woodwork which gives the impression of fine dining establishment of years gone by. Except for the low hum from the diners conversation, the restaurant offers a quiet dining experience as well as the choice of outdoor sidewalk dining, weather permitting. We experienced moderately fast, friendly and very attentive service.

Small Plates offers a low to moderately priced menu with some unique food choices. The menu includes five salad choices Maurice ($9 full/$7 half) , Classic Caesar ($7 full/$5 half), Chicken Caesar ($9 full/$7 half), Greek ($10 full/$7 half) and Chop-Chop Salad ($7 full/$5 half). Chop-Chop Salad is the only out of the ordinary salad choice and is created using Iceberg Lettuce, Cucumber, Carrot, & Crispy Wonton Strips with Ginger Vinaigrette Dressing.

Sandwiches are also among the well-liked favorites of the restaurant. Chicken Caesar Wrap ($8), Tuna Wrap Melt ($8), Roasted Turkey ($9), Grilled Eggplant ($8) and Grilled Tenderloin ($13). On this date, my dining partner ordered the Grilled Tenderloin sandwich. It came to the table served on three onion rolls, the tenderloin was topped with crispy onions and a Gorgonzola cream sauce. I was told "the taste was beyond belief", so I too took a bite and agreed.

Small plates 9 varieties of Brick Oven Baked pizzas appeared to be a favorite of diners on the night we visited. The pizzas are served on a 8-in, Thin Crust, Served with Small Plates own Four-Cheese Blend, & Garlic-Infused Olive Oil. The personal pizzas are priced at $8 to $11 and are offered in BBQ Chicken, Garlic Shrimp, Roasted Veggie, Greek Pizza, Smoked Salmon, Margherita (Buffalo Mozzarella, Fresh Basil & Sliced Tomatoes), Hawaiian and Quattro Formaggi (Mozzarella, Parmesan, Asiago, & Provolone with Infused Garlic Oil).

I decided to try the BBQ Ribs on my visit to Small Plates. The half a slab of Tender Baby Back Ribs served with hand-cut fries was priced at $12 and, in my opinion, considering the taste was well worth the cost. The ribs were melt in your mouth tender and the sauce was tangy topped off with fires that reminded me of home-made. Choosing the BBQ Ribs was not easy as I had also contemplated the Sesame Beef Stir Fry ($11) and the Grilled Chicken Skewers ($12). I was not disappointed with my choice and currently plan on returning to try the others.

I have a rule I follow when visiting a new (to me) restaurant, that being, always order dessert. With six great sounding dessert choices to choose from, we chose the Chocolate Chunk Cookie Sandwich ($6). Two homemade Chocolate Chunk cookies piled with butter pecan ice cream between them and topped with the old-time Detroiter's favorite, Sanders Hot Fudge. This dessert was big enough for both of us to enjoy and there were no complaints. Other dessert choices on the menu included Banana Splits, Creme Brulee, a Mini Pastry Sampler and the old stand by Fresh Fruit Plate for the diet conscience diner. Desserts range in price from $6 to $9.

Small Plates is located at 1521 Broadway, across from the Detroit Opera House and one block South of Comerica Park and Ford Field.