Pastaio Royal Oak flung open its doors in the former HopCat space in Royal Oak. The restaurant, owned by Florida-based Pasqualle Lamarra. Lamarra, features brick oven pizza and house-made pasta. Lamarra told Crain’s that all three of property’s floors are being used, including a nightclub that occupies the upper two levels.

Mezcal Mexican Bar & Kitchen opened its doors in Ferndale in March, ushering in a much-needed boost to Oakland County’s Mexican food world. The bar features 30 different types of agave spirits, while the menu includes an impressive lineup of tacos, including birria, fish, campechano (a blend of chorizo and carne asada), and alambre — with bacon, chorizo, melted cheese, and choice of chicken or steak.

Trap Vegan made its debut in Detroit’s Green Acres neighborhood on the west side in November, adding to the city’s offerings of meatless restaurant menus. Owner Jasmine Raiford has developed a menu that will convert any discriminating meat-eater, with a variety of vegan burgers such as the BJ Burger made with grilled barbecue jackfruit and topped with grilled onions, mushrooms, pepper jack cheese, avocado spread, and the spot’s “Trap Sauce” — all served on a grilled brioche bun. Also expect a variety of smoothies, juices, acai bowls, salads, and loaded nachos.

This new Rosedale Park cafe celebrated its opening on June 11. Owned and operated by Charity Dean and Heather Zygmontowicz, the spot is named after Dean’s great-grandmother, Rosa Malone, who was among the first Black families to move to the community generations ago. According to the Freep, the founders surveyed residents to better serve the needs of the community. On top of coffee sourced by Black-woman-owned coffee roaster, Fast Haus Coffee Roasting Co., the duo are looking to offer breakfast and lunch, extend hours into the evening, host community events, and possibly offer beer and wine — all amenities identified in their survey.

A restaurant with the very intriguing name Ex-Wife’s Famous Chicken, debuted in Dearborn on May 2. The menu is remarkably true to its theme with Side Chicks (sides) and Child Support (kid’s menu) to accompany the fried chicken sandwiches and chicken tender meals. The restaurant seems to have big plans for expansion, with eight additional locations listed as “coming soon” on its website. For now, folk can dine-in or place an order online for takeout or delivery.

This new spot in Dearborn opened around early May and serves Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine, but with a seafood twist. Many of the classic offerings one would find in a traditional Middle Eastern restaurant are available here, including skewers, hummus, grilled kibbie, and kofta sandwiches, with one key distinction: except for beef, lamb, chicken, or other typical proteins, at Aliz, it’s all prepared with a variety of marinated or spicy fish or shrimp. The menu is rounded out with entrees like roasted red snapper, grilled salmon with herbs, as well as casseroles and shrimp biryani.

Father and son team, Christian and Julián Muñoz, launched a new fleet of food trucks in May in southwest Detroit, Tacos del Barrio and The Real Boss. Tacos del Barrio has locations at West Vernor and Central and Vernor and Dix, while The Real Boss joins the taco truck at the Vernor-Dix spot. Tacos del Barrio offers many of the classic taco truck fare, including tacos al pastor, tacos de lengua (beef tongue), and quesabirria, as well as hot dogs, tortas, and ramen birria. The Real Boss focuses more on barbecue and draws inspiration from the founders’ Argentine background with sandwiches like the Choriboy and Steak Bomba loaded with garlicky chimichurri. Both locations have ample outdoor covered seating.

Set in a historic firehouse in Southwest Detroit, Ladder 4 operates as a bar and retail wine shop, with more than 200 varieties for sale, with a particular focus on natural wines. The space hosts live music events and pop-ups, and features three patios and a spacious backyard. Hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays.

Ima founder Mike Ransom is now flexing his background in fine dining with the opening of Ima Izakaya in July inside the space formerly occupied by Gold Cash Gold. Guests can expect many of the growing chain’s casual favorites, such as its popular udon, pho, rice bowls, shrimp dumplings, and chicken karaage. In addition, Ransom adds a touch of creativity with new arrivals like hamachi crudo made with yellowtail, yuzu-lemon confit, jalapeno, micro cilantro, and black sea salt, robata grill with skewered bites, market cut meats, and a more robust bar menu. The new spot replaces Ima’s original Corktown location just down the street.

Momento Gelato opened on January 5 at 2120 Trumbull, as part of the Elton Park mixed-use development, next door to the longstanding UFO Factory. The Italian-style ice cream parlor specializes in using all natural ingredients and the menu features seasonal flavors, espresso drinks, and a delightful affogato.

The newly open Seasons Market features the Garden Cafe has sustainability in mind. Built using reclaimed materials, Seasons Market pays the many Michigan-based food vendors fair wages for its products. Guests can select a variety of packaged lunch items like salads, grain bowls, and baked goods, curated from local makers like Yum Village, Avalon Bakery, and Detroit Vegan Soul. Grab some lunch and have a seat upstairs in the market’s loft with near 360-degree views of the surrounding neighborhood. During the warmer months, dine and socialize on the outdoor garden patio.

Muslims and folks wanting to incorporate more halal food into their eating routines have another fast-casual Indian-style option in Charminar Biryani Express, located across the street from Wayne State University. The restaurant offers a takeout-friendly menu featuring prepared entrees, appetizers, and sides, including butter chicken, chicken 65, and tandoori chicken, as well as a variety of vegan-friendly selections.

This long-anticipated “playful French” inspired cocktail bar and restaurant flung open its doors on June 23 on the ground level of the historic Carlton Lofts in Brush Park. Behind the project, Joseph Allerton and Travis Fourmont, both alumni of the shuttered Michael Symon’s Roast. Named after the Parisian neighborhood, Quartier Pigalle — known for its nightlife, bars, and bistros — the space gives off unpretentious French brasserie vibes and a high caliber dining and drinking experience. Expect a variety of hot or cold small plates like bison tartar and chef Nyle Flynn’s selection of oysters, or heartier entrees like a Coney-style steak and frites. At the bar, a brief selection of French wines, a cocktail menu that highlights French spirits, and bottles of Budweiser, Jolly Pumpkin on draft or in the bottle, and other select craft brews and ciders.

Toledo, Ohio-born Pizza Cat swung open in Detroit’s Greektown in July with the ambition to “keep pizza weird.” Oddball toppings include Hot Cheetos, pickles, orange secret sauce, mustard, or brisket. The full-service, sit-down pizza shop and bar also features steamed bagel sandwiches such as the Monroe & Central Brisket that comes with barbecue sauce, smoked beef brisket, a six-cheese cheddar blend and cocktails with wacky names like the Mr. Bigglesworth, a nod to the hairless pet cat that belongs to Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers movie.

Looking for ways to enjoy a delicious sandwich, without the carbs? Breadless opened its doors in March on East Jefferson Avenue, featuring a line of sandwiches that are wrapped in greens instead of bread. Enjoy sandwiches like the Cloud 9 Pastrami loaded with havarti cheese, shredded cabbage, pickle, red onions, spicy ground mustard, house-made reuben sauce — all in a collard green vessel.