El Barzon

"Sometimes you have to see it to believe it. Or, when it comes to food, maybe “eat it to believe it.” When I first heard El Barzon in Southwest Detroit was having success with two menus, a Mexican side and an Italian side, I said, “Now this I gotta see.” It’s true. We have been there twice, once for Best Mexican Restaurant, and the other time for Best Italian Restaurant, of course. We absolutely blown away each time by Chef Norberto Garita, who is a native of Pueblo, Mexico, but was classically trained while working in New York City. We also stopped late one night on a recent search to check out his new place, La Noria Bistro, a wood-fired pizza place next door that is equally as good. On the Mexican side we loved the seasonal chile relleno, which was stuffed with pork, pears and peaches, then covered in a pecan cream sauce and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. Also, you can’t go wrong with the enchiladas, barbacoa or anything on the menu. Equally, we loved everything on the Italian side. If you want white tablecloth dining, this is must trip. In the summer months you can dine in on a beautiful patio."