Try this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=623819
In post #2, theres a cab for just the start menu (non-Manilla TV) that I installed that works without any problem for me. Just FYI, I'm running MightyRom 6.5.2012. This way, when you click the start button in the top L corner, you get a start menu that looks a lot like the programs tab from 6.1. And, just so you know, the windows hard key will still take you to the old start menu with the honeycomb/folders/etc. This cab only affects the top left start softkey
Hope that helps - I had to search long and hard to find this, but I'm super happy that I found it because it was exactly what I was looking for. Alternatively, there are a lot of cabs out there that will take the honeycomb start menu and make it into a vertical list with the folders (see post #1 of the favorite cabs sticky)