Mezcal Mexican Bar & Kitchen

Mezcal is a new Mexican fine dining option in Detroit | Eater Detroit

"Opened last year in Ferndale and expanded to Midtown Detroit on June 28, this casual taqueria and agave-centered bar was transformed by Guanajuato natives Sandra Haro and her brother Jose Granados into a modern, sit-down establishment at 51 West Forest (formerly Savant). The space is punctuated by vibrant alebrijes murals by Elton Monroy Duran, intricate blue-and-white talavera tiles, and weekly live mariachi performances, creating a lively backdrop for a menu that showcases regional Mexican specialties. Chef Jaime Flores from Mexico City builds on hits from the Ferndale location—tacobirria and quesabirria on flour tortillas, California-inspired burritos, and esquites—while adding dishes like sopa de lima, torres de mariscos with shrimp, octopus, fish, avocado and citrus, dumplings filled with Michoacán-style carnitas, and crispy chicharrones de ribeye atop guacamole. Flores’s pastry background shows in desserts such as house-made ice creams (avocado, sweet corn), tres leches cake with bits of pretzel, and pan de elote topped with house-made whipped cream, mazapán crumble, and caramel popcorn. Agave-based spirits are a major focus—flights of mezcal often from small craft distillers, mezcal margaritas, piña coladas, Moscow mules made with mezcal, and the Instagram-worthy La Mezcla Perfecta giant cantarito (using a full bottle of tequila with grapefruit, lemon, orange juice and soda) are all featured. As Haro says, they do “traditional Mexican with a little bit of a twist of cultures as well,” and the Midtown location’s expanded space allows the kitchen to more deeply explore the country’s geographic and cultural nuances. Hours are 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday–Saturday, and 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday." - Serena Maria Daniels