Add Posts type functionality option to admin menu

I would like to add a new Admin menu option and sub-menu options that mimics the behaviour of the Posts menu options for some post categories. Similar to what is going on here http://w-shadow.com/blog/2012/11/20/pre-select-category-for-new-post/comment-page-1/#comment-777526

However, I want my menu option to be a new top level option and not to be under Posts. Is there a way to do this? I looked at add_menu_page but it seems to be expecting a function to render a page.

Thank you