Nearly fishbowl-size goblets are filled with boozy and non-boozy drinks. Over-the-top milkshakes labeled “insane” are topped with doughnuts or s’mores. Entrees of rainbow beef sliders are served on colored buns.
And there’s the 24K edible gold-draped burger served with fries sprinkled with more edible gold. It’s served with a 24K rich chocolate golden milkshake laced with more gold, an ice cream bar, macaroons, and more. And all that indulgence and gold will set you back a cool $150.
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Step into the Sugar Factory American Brasserie and, well, you’ll feel like a kid in a candy store that also offers fancy sweets, ice cream treats, and other desserts along with dinner.No surprise, there are tons of sweets here at the Sugar Factory. For starters, there’s a retail candy store with hundreds of candies such as sugary gummy varieties tucked into neat little bags and ribbon-tied. Then there is the menu of “insane” milkshakes and pancakes topped with M&M’s and chocolate cake along with a huge menu of savory dishes, burgers, salads, and sandwiches.
Not into the extravagant milkshake? No worries. There are traditional vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ones, too.
At the Sugar Factory’s first Michigan location, just about everything is over-the-top from its famous King Kong sundae with 25 scoops of ice cream, fruit toppings, cupcakes, candy necklaces, gummy bears, and more to crepes filled with s’more Nutella to Boston cream.
“We know it’s (Detroit) an upcoming city so we wanted to come put our stamp in the heart of Detroit, Michigan,” said Rula Khoury, Sugar Factory’s corporate events coordinator.
Here’s what to know about Sugar Factory:
What is the Sugar Factory?
The Sugar Factory is known for its wild dessert creations plus a candy store and a restaurant with a menu heavy on sweets but also with plenty of savory options. It’s also known as a celebrity-friendly place and one of the most Instagrammable restaurants. The main attraction at the Sugar Factory’s Goblet bar is the huge goblet drinks. Several of the drinks are celebrity designed and listed as tested by celebrities, including Kendall Jenner, 50 Cent, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, John Varvatos, and Nick Jonas.
Where is it?
Detroit is the first Michigan location from the chain that has locations worldwide. The restaurant and candy retail store is at 45 Monroe on the ground floor of the Campus Martius building in the former Hard Rock Café space. It opened over Labor Day weekend.
What’s it like inside?
Inside the more than 200-seat spot, there’s a spacious dining room seating with two cozy corner booths and booth wall seating along two areas. There’s also seating at the Goblet Bar and an outdoor patio. This is a spot to have a special celebration. The dining room is known for its glamorous setting with its floral wall and candy heart wall, perfect settings for selfies. When you enter from the Campus Martius Building lobby, you are greeted by the large candy heart wall — another setting ideal for a selfie.
What’s on the menu?
The Sugar Factory has a huge menu. This is the place to splurge on a celebratory drink, milkshake, or over-the-top dessert. It offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. On the breakfast menu, you will find pancakes topped with a slice of cheesecake or chocolate cake along with eggs, omelets, eggs Benedict, and crepes. For lunch, there are sandwiches, soups and salads, and burgers. There are a variety of appetizers. Dinners range from grilled entrees to pasta dishes to surf and turf.
What’s it cost?
Brace yourself. Things are over-the-top here, so expect to pay more. The “insane” milkshakes are $22 to $32 for the Campfire Spiked S’mores milkshake and served in chocolate-coated large mugs. The huge goblet drinks are $39 for those with alcohol and $29 for those without. Both the goblets and milkshakes look shareable.
The King Kong sundae, which feeds 12, is $99. Pancakes range from $15 for a stack of three to $26 for Strawberry Cheesecake Overload Pancakes. Burgers are $19-$25 and entrees run $19 to $79.
Can they accommodate large parties?
Yes. This is a special occasion spot. And they also have a menu just for parties. There are packages that range from just desserts to those with food offerings.
The Sugar Factory, 45 Monroe St., in the Campus Martius Building, will soon have a new lunch menu served 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Its happy hour is 3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close Monday through Thursday. Regular hours are 11 a.m. -11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday, and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday.
Reservations are through opentable.com. For more information or to book parties email [email protected] or call 947-219-0700.
Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: [email protected]. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.
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