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The Hottest Restaurants in Detroit Right Now, March 2015

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Welcome to the March Eater Detroit Heatmap, which invites diners to experience something new across the city's 143-square-miles. Unlike the stalwart collection captured by the Eater 38, the Heatmap aims to pinpoint the most popular places to eat and drink each month.

Did we miss your favorite new restaurant? Been somewhere else that feels worthy of high praise and popular approval? Drop us a note on our tip line or leave your thoughts below.

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Zeke's R&R BBQ

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Zeke’s Rock & Roll BBQ is already receiving positive reviews from local media and diners. The restaurant serves a standard selection of barbecue paired with several special sauces alongside unexpected items like Sriracha coleslaw and fried cheese curds. Check their Facebook page for regular updates on live music.

Brew Detroit

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Brew Detroit’s taproom opened quietly in Corktown January. With more than 40 seats, the space offers a comfortable atmosphere to grab a beer and watch a game (the bar boasts six televisions). While customers are encouraged to order-in or bring food from local dining spots, Brew Detroit is also hosting food trucks Delectabowl and The Mean Weenie on Fridays and Saturdays. [ Photo]

Kuzzo's Chicken & Waffles

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Former pro-football player Ron Bartell opened Kuzzo’s Chicken & Waffles following more than two years of anticipation. The menu features 11 different chicken and waffle combinations as well as Southern favorites like shrimp & grits.

Republic

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This long anticipated G.A.R. Building restaurant was finally revealed last month and is already earning praise for its historic tavern feel and menu composed of small plates and “feasts.” While chef Kate Williams' food is often described as “meat-centric” there are plenty of vegetarian options and the craft cocktails are worth a trip. [Photo]

Selden Standard

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Since opening last fall, Selden Standard has received the A+ approval of diners, critics, and chefs alike. It was recently named Best Restaurant of 2015 by The Detroit Free Press. Chef Andy Hollyday is also in the running for the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef in the Great Lakes award. [Photo]
Named to Eater’s National 38 and an across-the-board critical favorite, Torino is worth a visit if you can manage to snag a coveted reservation. Chef Garrett Lipar’s innovative seasonal tasting menu has put him in line for the James Beard Foundation's Rising Star of the Year award. [Bill Addison]

Freshii

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This healthy fast food chain debuted its first Detroit location last month in the Campus Martius area. Freshii is a card-carrying member of the juice bar club, but there are plenty of salads, wraps, bowls, burritos, and soups on the menu as well. [Photo]

‎Batch Brewing Company

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Batch’s owners and supporters alike gave a sigh of relief when this project was finally completed. The 2013 Hatch Detroit winner offers nano-brewed beers in a cozy Corktown pub atmosphere. Check their Facebook page regularly for kitchen specials. [Photo]

Cafe 78

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This new space in MOCAD features a cocktail list inspired by the Pantone color palette. The eatery, located in a former garage, transitions from a café with Zingerman’s pastries and Anthology coffee in the morning to a bar and bistro at night. [Photo]

Wright & Co.

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Chef Mark Djozlija’s downtown gastropub's excellently executed dishes, craft cocktails, and comfortable atmosphere earned the number three spot on critic Sylvia Rector's list for best new restaurants. Now Djozlija is vying for Best Chef in the Great Lakes alongside Selden’s Andy Hollyday. [Photo]

Krema Pastry Shop

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Kremnuts? Bougatsa? Gelato? This new Greektown pastry shop owned by the people behind Astoria Bakery sounds like the perfect option for breakfast or a late-night snack. Maybe both. [Photo]

Azul Mexican Cantina (in the DIA beginning March 15)

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For those planning on visiting the DIA for the “Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Detroit” exhibit opening March 15, the Azul cantina pop-up will be a must-try. Decorated with wares from Southwest Detroit vendors, the pop-up will offer tacos, chips and salsa, guacamole, beans, and rice as well as Mexican beers, wines, and margaritas. [Photo]

El Asador Mexican Steakhouse (Frida Kahlo Menu)

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In honor of the Detroit Opera’s production of “Frida,” El Asador’s chef Luis Garza will offer special menu items, including moles, pulled straight from the personal recipes of artist Frida Kahlo. [Photo]

El Barzon Restaurante (Frida Kahlo Menu)

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Chef Norberto Garita will explore the recipes of Frida Kahlo at his Mexican-Italian restaurant, El Barzon, this month. Garita is part of a team of local chefs bringing Kahlo’s legacy to life in their respective kitchens. [Photo]

La Terraza (Frida Kahlo Menu)

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Artist Frida Kahlo was known for her raucous dinner parties as much as her art. As part of the celebration of the Detroit Opera’s production of “Frida,” chef Israel Rocha of La Terraza will prepare Kahlo’s seafood dishes and a posole stew at his Southwest eatery this month. [Photo]

Zeke's R&R BBQ

Zeke’s Rock & Roll BBQ is already receiving positive reviews from local media and diners. The restaurant serves a standard selection of barbecue paired with several special sauces alongside unexpected items like Sriracha coleslaw and fried cheese curds. Check their Facebook page for regular updates on live music.

Brew Detroit

Brew Detroit’s taproom opened quietly in Corktown January. With more than 40 seats, the space offers a comfortable atmosphere to grab a beer and watch a game (the bar boasts six televisions). While customers are encouraged to order-in or bring food from local dining spots, Brew Detroit is also hosting food trucks Delectabowl and The Mean Weenie on Fridays and Saturdays. [ Photo]

Kuzzo's Chicken & Waffles

Former pro-football player Ron Bartell opened Kuzzo’s Chicken & Waffles following more than two years of anticipation. The menu features 11 different chicken and waffle combinations as well as Southern favorites like shrimp & grits.

Republic

This long anticipated G.A.R. Building restaurant was finally revealed last month and is already earning praise for its historic tavern feel and menu composed of small plates and “feasts.” While chef Kate Williams' food is often described as “meat-centric” there are plenty of vegetarian options and the craft cocktails are worth a trip. [Photo]

Selden Standard

Since opening last fall, Selden Standard has received the A+ approval of diners, critics, and chefs alike. It was recently named Best Restaurant of 2015 by The Detroit Free Press. Chef Andy Hollyday is also in the running for the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef in the Great Lakes award. [Photo]

Torino

Named to Eater’s National 38 and an across-the-board critical favorite, Torino is worth a visit if you can manage to snag a coveted reservation. Chef Garrett Lipar’s innovative seasonal tasting menu has put him in line for the James Beard Foundation's Rising Star of the Year award. [Bill Addison]

Freshii

This healthy fast food chain debuted its first Detroit location last month in the Campus Martius area. Freshii is a card-carrying member of the juice bar club, but there are plenty of salads, wraps, bowls, burritos, and soups on the menu as well. [Photo]

‎Batch Brewing Company

Batch’s owners and supporters alike gave a sigh of relief when this project was finally completed. The 2013 Hatch Detroit winner offers nano-brewed beers in a cozy Corktown pub atmosphere. Check their Facebook page regularly for kitchen specials. [Photo]

Cafe 78

This new space in MOCAD features a cocktail list inspired by the Pantone color palette. The eatery, located in a former garage, transitions from a café with Zingerman’s pastries and Anthology coffee in the morning to a bar and bistro at night. [Photo]

Wright & Co.

Chef Mark Djozlija’s downtown gastropub's excellently executed dishes, craft cocktails, and comfortable atmosphere earned the number three spot on critic Sylvia Rector's list for best new restaurants. Now Djozlija is vying for Best Chef in the Great Lakes alongside Selden’s Andy Hollyday. [Photo]

Krema Pastry Shop

Kremnuts? Bougatsa? Gelato? This new Greektown pastry shop owned by the people behind Astoria Bakery sounds like the perfect option for breakfast or a late-night snack. Maybe both. [Photo]

Azul Mexican Cantina (in the DIA beginning March 15)

For those planning on visiting the DIA for the “Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Detroit” exhibit opening March 15, the Azul cantina pop-up will be a must-try. Decorated with wares from Southwest Detroit vendors, the pop-up will offer tacos, chips and salsa, guacamole, beans, and rice as well as Mexican beers, wines, and margaritas. [Photo]

El Asador Mexican Steakhouse (Frida Kahlo Menu)

In honor of the Detroit Opera’s production of “Frida,” El Asador’s chef Luis Garza will offer special menu items, including moles, pulled straight from the personal recipes of artist Frida Kahlo. [Photo]

El Barzon Restaurante (Frida Kahlo Menu)

Chef Norberto Garita will explore the recipes of Frida Kahlo at his Mexican-Italian restaurant, El Barzon, this month. Garita is part of a team of local chefs bringing Kahlo’s legacy to life in their respective kitchens. [Photo]

La Terraza (Frida Kahlo Menu)

Artist Frida Kahlo was known for her raucous dinner parties as much as her art. As part of the celebration of the Detroit Opera’s production of “Frida,” chef Israel Rocha of La Terraza will prepare Kahlo’s seafood dishes and a posole stew at his Southwest eatery this month. [Photo]

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