Corktown pub pokes fun with 'the Gilblit' cocktail

At St. CeCe’s Pub in Corktown, the motto is “drink now, repent later.” That kind of ask-for-forgiveness-not-permission attitude may be what inspired owner Celeste Belanger to put a cocktail called the Gilblit on her menu.

It’s a reference to businessman Dan Gilbert, chairman and founder of Rock Ventures and Quicken Loans, who’s been buying buildings downtown over the past several years.

“The Gilblit costs $50, it’s Laphroaig Scotch and Bitter Truth EXR liqueur,” says bar manager Chris Rose. “You can choose any other person in the bar, and we’ll take their glass from them, pour their drink out and make your drink in that glass.”

If that’s too subtle, the drink’s tag line is “to quicken your buzz.”

Rose says the Gilblit has been ordered only once since it popped up on the cocktail menu last spring.

Besides coming with cheeky drink themes, St. CeCe’s is gearing up to launch its fall menu, which debuts Thursday.

The gastropub, at 1426 Bagley, also will offer a special menu for the Dine Drink Detroit promotion that starts Thursday at many bars and restaurants across the city. The 10-day event promises at least one food item and one drink for $15 at one of the more than two dozen participating Detroit restaurants.

St. CeCe’s, noted for its stone fireplace in the dining area and stained-glass touches, offers hearty comfort foods like a Dutch Scotch egg and house-made ravioli but always has something for vegetarians, too.

mbaetens@detroitnews.com

twitter.com/melodybaetens