Rockin' Cupcakes to Compete on TV, Dishcrawl Coming to Town and More Local Restaurant News

If you're hungry for the latest restaurant news from around Oakland County, we've got you covered! Read on to find out what's new, what's closed and more.

Ferndale

Garden Fresh Gourmet

The company, known for its chips and salsa, has been named 2013's "Manufacturer of the Year" by the Michigan Food and Beverage Association and Detroit Association of Grocery Manufacturers Representatives. The company, which is headquartered at 1505 Bonner St., will be honored at the 85th Annual Trade dinner on Thursday, March 14, at 42° North in the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center.

Royal Oak

Dishcrawl

Foodies and anyone curious to try the creative creations of some of the city's top chefs can take part in a new activity called Dishcrawl. You've heard of a bar crawl or a pub crawl? A dishcrawl is the same concept applied to restaurants and samples of the various dishes they offer. For $45, you can be a part of this foodie adventure that starts at 7 p.m. March 5. Tickets are available here. Visit Dishcrawl.com for more information. 

Maria's

The restaurant is now offering 'all you can eat' pancakes for $5 on weekends. The Italian eatery opened its doors in June serving king crab fettuccine, stuffed shells and gnocchi. The new expanded brunch menu – pancakes, omelets, homemade cinnamon rolls, oatmeal, eggs and Mickey Mouse pancakes for the kids – is served from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Novi

Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory has announced that it will open a location at Twelve Oaks Mall later this year. The popular national restaurant chain, whose claim to fame is its huge selection of cheesecakes and desserts, can be found in nearly three dozen states. This would be the company's first official location in Michigan.

Troy

Tre Monti Ristorante

Hour Detroit magazine named the eatery 2013 Restaurant of the Year in its March issue. The honor returns to Oakland County, joining recent winners Forest Grill in Birmingham (2009) and Mon Jin Lau in Troy (2008), following two years in Detroit, with Joe Muer Seafood and Iridescence.

Rochester Hills

Rockin' Cupcakes

The bakery known for its rock-themed treats is about to get a national audience. Rockin' Cupcakes owner Mary Ohngren and her daughter, Kara, will compete on the Sunday, March 3, episode of the Food Network show "Cupcake Wars."

Oakland Township

Paint Creek Cider Mill

The cafe, which has been closed for the winter, will reopen Friday, March 1. Proprietor Ed Granchi said he has been busy gussying up the cafe's interior with a vintage vibe, will add at least two hand-crafted sodas to the revamped pizza and lunch menu, and move to year-round hours in 2013. Cider and doughnuts, as tradition dictates, will be mainstays in the fall.

Lake Orion

Sagebrush Cantina

Readers of Real Detroit Weekly selected Sagebrush Cantina for a spot on the tabloid's "The Best of Detroit 2013" list published this week. The popular restaurant, with locations in Lake Orion and Fenton, won the "Best Guacamole" category.

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