We came here for our 2 year anniversary and wanted to try a unique twist. We both love Mexican and Italian, and this was a perfect fit. Our waitress was amazing. Prompt, well informed about the menu and patience with my indecisiveness. We got a surprise anniversary dessert as well. There are so many items I want to try here. We sat in the courtyard and it was nicely maintained, plenty of flowers, and a cozy Mexican villa like atmosphere. read more

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Looks are deceiving the outside has been updated but you wouldn't think when you walk in it is like you stepped into a rustic modern restaurant exposed brick and hardwood floors, white linen tables. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. We had the frito mixto, the caprese salad for appetizers. The frito mixto was very nicely cooked calamari and shrimp with some zucchini and the peppers in it gave it a little kick. The caprese salad was so fresh and tasty. We had the halibut special and the zuppe de Pesci. The halibut was cooked perfectly the buerre blanc sauce and capers with potatoes and broccoli rabe. The zuppe was great lots of flavor and filled with mussels, shrimp, cod, calms and calamari with some crostini. We will be back. read more

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For a Friday night at 8pm La Noria was not too busy, dine in wise. Although I didn't feel like I was waiting too long for anything, my server felt bad and gave me a free flan for dessert which I so appreciated since I was thinking about going for a sweet treat afterwards. This restaurant is located on corner so there's street parking and they have parking in the back alley along with their neighbor restaurant which is also ran by the same owner and the same menu (El Barzon). My server told me the main difference is that La Noria has the woodfire pizza oven and something else I can't recall. My fiance came here with his buddy and recommended that I get the enchiladas with green sauce, so that's what I did. On their paper menu, you're able to choose between chicken, beef, or cheese for all their enchiladas. Online however, it looks like they only have the chicken option which was confusing to me when I was thinking about placing an online order vs dining in. On the menus it also doesn't say the dish comes with rice and beans which would be nice to know beforehand. When the food came out, I thought the enchiladas and rice and beans. Boy was I wrong. I was stuffed and took the last little bit to go. Very filling and very delicious. This place makes me want to try enchiladas from other places since I usually don't order those. I would definitely come back to La Noria and try some of their other food. This place does both Mexican and Italian food which sounds like an interesting combo but you can't go wrong with either cuisine. read more

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Excellent food and great service. The interior is decorated simply but has a great atmosphere.

Do not come here for a special occasion. I made a reservation and noted it was our big anniversary. 20 years of togetherness, 19 wedded and nada. Nevermind that we talked about it all through dinner, too. As the only table other than the large party at the back, they had to have heard us. No acknowledement whatsoever. Clearly, their entire focus was the big party at the back. Heck, we came in the front and could not even figure out how to get seated. Very poor setup here. Nice staff, but no leadership or organization at all. It's so awkward coming in as first-timers. No need for that reservation, other than the big party the place was dead. Because of that party, a waitress dropped a big tray of food right behind our table in the middle of our meal. They then came to do cleanup, mopping with a noxious cleaning solution that triggered an allergy attack and popping a quick effect benadryl. An apology and moving us to another table. Did management notice or apologize? Nope. The waitstaff was nice but there was no concern from anyone in charge. Heck, if there even is anyone in charge. The food was hit or miss. Great chips and salsa. The fritto mixto el barzon was tasty but had some quite chewy calamari tentacles. The calamari rings were very nice, as were the two shrimp we received. My husband liked his filet branzino but was not a fan of the sauce. The scalloped potatoes were not to his taste, and while I loved the spinach, he was not a fan. I got the zuppa de pesce with the squid ink pasta. The soupy broth and most of the seafood in it was very tasty, but the pasta was hard and did not taste good at all. The clams were the clunker of the seafood. They were totally hard and chewy to the point of inedible. Dipping the toasted bread into the broth was a delight, though. We skipped drinks as they were all overpriced, and my husband ended up with his number one pet peeve, diet coke in a damn can. At a nice restaurant to boot! I can tolerate it at a dive, but c'mon, this place is pricy and has a bar but no fountain diet drink?. We also had thought to get dessert, but after all the issues we had, the benadryl had kicked in, and I was getting sleepy, we decided to just skip it and call it a night. This place gets a big nope from us. I'm just really a bad combination of mad and sad at the whole pathetic experience. Way to kill the romance. read more

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First time here, menu was extensive, a blend of Mexican and Italian, really nice selection. Visited during lunch, a Lunch, a Brunch and a Dinner menu was offered. We were the only table in the restaurant. I ordered Enchiladas Rojas, which were spicy steak enchiladas. They were very good, strangely the meal was served with 2 over easy fried eggs, and another plate consisting of some fruit and berries and a warm potato and pepper compote. Everything tasted good, however our service was very slow and not attentive. Being the only table, our server never checked on our entree, we had to ask for water and our bill. read more

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Food was delicious; vodka spaghetti. They were all out of my favorite dessert, crème brûlée and the flan is my only complaint. Service was great and always is. I hope ICE police don't ruin things. read more

What's not to like at a restaurant that has table clothes and a vase with a rose at every table? . Right off the bet - great impression. And red brick decor with paintings on the walls greatly compliment the whole ambiance. Add to the mix a great host/waiter and you are already half way to a home run. And then seal the deal with a great food and - you have a winner! On our request they made none-breaded calamari. Octapus dish spices were too over powering for our taste, but owner graciously substituted for tomatoes/mozzarella caprise salad which we liked. I tried filet branzino - it was also good. Finally for dessert - tiramisu was well done. read more

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This restaurant is very unassuming from the outside, but very beautifully decorated inside. It's an old firehouse that was converted into the Italian and Mexican fusion restaurant it is today. Elements of both cultures are strung throughout, the space is lit to set the mood for a great date night spot. I will say the service was incredibly slow- it took us about 15 minutes for them to find us a waiter, 30 mins before we were able to place an order and then another 40 mins before our food arrived. I ordered my drink before anything else but received it after I was already done with my meal. I ordered the branzini and it was cooked very well. The fish was flakey and light. The reduction was the perfect balance, and the sides of asparagus hearts, potatoes, and spinach were not bad. A solid 7.5/10. I sadly had to take a star away for slow and lacking service. The food isn't bad, but I think some dishes get lost in the attempt to be a fusion restaurant read more

La Noria Bistro - Branzini - Mexican Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

We love El Barzon, so we had to try the sister restaurant. El Barzon might win for ambiance, but the food at La Noria is exceptional. We were celebrating a birthday, and they made her day special too. We'll be back! read more

La Noria Bistro - Mexican Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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This is a great hidden romantic spot right in Southwest Detroit! It is a sister restaurant of the neighboring El Barzón, another one of our favorite romantic spots! The menu has changed since Covid, it shares the menu with El Barzón. Hopefully they will bring back their wood fired pizzas and amazing tacos! You must try the CAVATELLI ALLA BOSCAIOLA which is Portabella and Porcini Mushrooms in a Cream Sauce. It is the most amazing pasta! It is such a great atmosphere on a warm summer night when the garage doors are open and allow the night air to flow through! I can't wait to go back! read more

La Noria Bistro - CAVATELLI ALLA BOSCAIOLA - Mexican Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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La Noria for lunch and dinner overflow for El Barzon Restaurante has been a staple to the City of Detroit since 2007, Serving both Traditional Mexican and Traditional Italian dishes. Real Italian Wood Fired Neapolitan Pizza we going back soon to try, the dining room smells fantastic with the wood burning in the oven. I went for the Mole house made Omg the very best slathered heavily on Shredded Chicken Enchiladas . ENCHILADAS DE MOLE POBLANO 3 Enchiladas filled with Meat or Cheese topped with Mole Sauce, Cheese, Sour Cream and Avocado Started with Queso Fundidio not good really hard cheese and almost no Chorizo. Shout out to Edgar our superstar waiter you rock. The lady manager on duty so fun and friendly doing a fabulous job. Really great lunch specials I tried three fantastic Tacos . She had a marvelous POLLO ALLA MARSALA Chicken Breast Sautéed with sweet Marsala Wine and Mushrooms outstanding Delicious . Limited hours lunch time only T-F till 11am till 2:30 , well worth a visit. See thousands of 5 star reviews around the web for El Barzon a Detroit Classic for 16 years just three miles to Downtown Detroit. #lanoriawoodfiredbistro @lanoriawoodfiredbistro #moleenchiladas #polloallamarsala #woodfiredpizza #lunchspecial #mexicanitalian #eatswdetroit #downriverfriendseat read more

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Thought it was a restaurant week and booked this place. Upon getting there, realized the area where it's located a bit shady BUT it was worth it. We're greeted by the owner and after short conversation realized it wasn't a restaurant week after all. Decided to stay and were pleasantly surprised. Ambience is very warm and welcoming. Overall, all dishes we tried were yummy except for one (didn't like chili peppers on octopus) and it was easily replaced with another one without a hassle. Since there was a little mixup at the beginning, we were offered free dessert. The place was short on staff but the owner himself was waiting on us and made sure we had a pleasant experience. 'A' for effort! read more

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While the location leaves a bit to be desired, the ambience, friendly service and food more than made up for it. The special drink was a pumpkin margarita, which sounds weird, but was quite tasty, not sweet having just a hint of pumpkin and cinnamon. It was a good start to a great meal. The appetizer was a caprese salad. Very fresh, a good portion of fresh mozzarella and the balsamic was drizzled over top table side. Very very good. Dinner consisted of the best chili relleno I've had. It was stuffed with cheese, had an amazing sauce and came with tortillas, which were used to eat the sauce that was left on the plate. The penne a la vodka was rich with perfectly cooked al dente pasta. Definitely a winner. A little gem in Detroit that we will definitely go back to. And the menu has many more items that looked tantalizing to the pallet. read more

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We had a large party size and last minute birthday reservations, so fortunately we were able to come to La Noria, a very quirky place serving Mexican and Italian dishes all in one establishment. The service was very strong and everyone we interacted with was patient, fun, and accommodating. The ambiance of the dining room was comforting but elevated with Italian and Mexican aesthetics strewn about. It did feel culinarily confusing to get tortilla chips right before pasta, but I'm not mad! I got the Strozzapreti Alla Norcina and the Zuppa Di Pesce with Black Ink Linguini to share. The Twisted pasta in the Strazzapreti was delightfully al dente and really clung tight to the meaty cream sauce. The Zuppa was pretty good with various seafood mixed in but felt a little lacking in salinity and briney-ness. Also the bite of the ink linguine was a bit strange. Not chewy but not soft. I couldn't really taste much squid ink in it, which I was really hoping for and not my favorite. Additionally, we got a complimentary birthday flan, which was delicious and a perfect end to a meal. read more

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La Noria is on Michigan Ave and Junction near old tiger stadium in what people call Southwest Detriot . It's near the "new" train station. ( worth seeing at nite) It's a white linen cloth restaurant with very good , actually cooked for you by a chef, (no salt no prob tom , kosher... " we don't know how but tell us and we will try". As examples . It's a 4 star restaurant that is homey and friendly with 4 star service and training and apx 2 star prices . If you look deep the owners and their families are some of those serving you Across the alley is the sister restaurant. Le Barzone which they share Menu , staff, and even the wine cellar , if need it 's interesting to see the scurrying between the two. La Noria is a little more causal ( yes this is in Detroit and the perfectly safe enclosed, well lit parking lot is down a short alley which may be a little scary for some from Birmingham ) It calls it self Spanish Mexican but it's as Mediterranean as any. Veal , Seafood, pasta , Mexican and even pizza on some nights priced . mostly 20-35 , beer $5-8 , wine $12 or so The food is very very good , friendly , accommodating, very pleasant atmosphere . It is every bit as good as Da Francesca and about equally distant from Royal Oak and not as crowded Well worth a try read more

We were pleasantly surprised. The restaurant was very cute inside. I particularly like the bar where Daniel assisted us so very well. He was very hospitable and helpful. At first we were disappointed that our table was in a cold area of the restaurant. We sat at the bar to wait for a table in a warmer area. It was well worth the wait as we ended up at a very nice table with a nice waitress. Our food which were both veal dishes were great. We ate everything. One of the sides was spinach. The spinach was good but I think another vegetable would be a better side than spinach. Yes, I could have another vegetable but there was an UP charge attached. All in all, we had a very nice time at a restaurant that was new to us. We hope to return soon to try the Mexican dishes since this time we had Italian entrees. read more

Food was awesome, fun atmosphere because you can watch them make hand-tossed pizzas and throw them in the brick oven, and service was exceptional. We made reservations, we had a party of 10 on a Saturday night. Everything went smooth. Bathrooms were clean. Overall, an awesome experience and we will definitely be back again when we visit Detroit. read more

Definitely a strange combo of Italian and Mexican but it works for their sister restaurant El Barzon. Very happy with the experience. We had veal saltimbocca and the pappardelle. The veal was very good but a little tough. The pappardelle was perfectly cooked. The sauce was a touch on the sweet side though. The Salsa was very good and the guacamole was great. Excellent tequila selection and specialty drinks. Overall, 4.5 stars as the service was outstanding. Vreme Brulee and tiramisu were fantastic as well. Definitely recommend and will be back. read more

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I'm so excited! These were honestly some of the best tacos I've had. In order to try a selection, I chose a steak, chicken, and pork. The chicken was flavorful, and not dry at all. The steak was delicious, tender and yummy. The pork was my favorite. It had some sort of spice blend on it that just rocked! The guacamole was every bit as good as it was my last visit, which is to say, some of the best I've ever had. It's creamy, flavorful, and amazing! read more

La Noria Bistro - Pork, Steak, and Chicken Taco - Mexican Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

This place is cool. It has italian and mexican food. My mom and I split enchiladas with mole sauce and a Cesar salad. The enchiladas were unique. I never had a real mole sauce with chocolate in it. I know it takes hours or days (?) to make, so I was really excited to try it. The salad was fine. I really liked the interior and the waitress was very nice. I would be happy to come back except for how the management handled a situation (see my last paragraph). I also ordered delivery one day w/ lemon chicken, asparagus, and pasta with blush sauce, and gnocchi with cream sauce. (I forgot all these names). All of these dishes were so rich but tasty. There were like 5 pieces of asparagus in a sea of butter sauce. They were good, but it's hard to eat the whole thing bc of the richness. I think my favorite (probably bc it had the least cream) was the blush sauce one. However, I'm taking off a star because (1) the prices and (2) the management. The prices are kinda insane and this is coming from someone who is willing to spend $75 per person for a tasting menu at Mabel Grey. Maybe these prices are typical for italian places though? The management was also pretty inflexible/rude. At the end of our meal, my mom realized she didn't have her wallet. I know this is our fault, but I asked the guy can you take Zelle, Apple Pay, Paypal, Venmo?? And he was like "feel free to leave your ID here so you can drive home and get money." Excuse me?! Seriously, it's 2021 and there's no other way to pay you?! What if we lived 1 hour away? Also my mom didn't have her wallet so she didn't have her ID...... anyway I ended up asking the waitress can you take a credit card number and key it in manually bc I had a number on my phone. She said yes and it was straightened out. read more

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THIS PLACE IS MAGICAL. I adore the setting and ambiance, it's so classy, clean, and well thought out. There are small details like the beer bottle roses that are so beautiful and thought out. The complimentary chips and salsa...addictive. We couldn't stop eating them and asked for more. That salsa good enough to drink. By far the best linguine allá vongole I've tasted, the red sauce really changes the game. I love the pairing of the shrimp and clams, and found the croutons to be particularly delightful to dip in the sauce to enjoy. The servers were kind and attentive :) Will come again. read more

Pushed here , because of a wedding at el barzon - same owner, same menu , just next door. Really great decor inside the building. Server was spot on. Shared a pappardelle tre Boconi - ya U try spelling that after an adult beverage! , along with a halibut special. Fresh chips and salsa - bread basket. Homemade pasta - lots of meatballs- enough food for leftovers! Everything tasted perfect! Sangria and margarita added to the mix ! Just a bit pricey at $15 each ! Fun time ! read more

Even though I've been to the sister restaurant El Barzone several times, this was the first time I had the pleasure of coming here. Looking to grab a lite bite before the Elton John concert, we order the con queso and the shrimp appetizer. Both were excellent and spot on, but the shrimp definitely win out. They use a sauce for the shrimp that is nothing slight of exquisite. Now I don't know if it's always this delicious or if it was just because we were the only 2 in the place but good golly miss Molly (not Abrams) this was awesome. The con queso was also excellent. They use a chorizo that is perfectly cooked you just want to grab a fork and dig in like it was stew. To top it off, our bartender made us two delicious drinks. The margarita was fresh and you could tell it wasn't from a mix of any kind and my tequila concoction was muy bueno. No I don't speak Spanish so who even knows if that yummy yummy!?!?!? Anyhow, I look forward to coming in and having a complete meal. They are the perfect casual addendum to El Barzone. Fantastic. read more

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My whole family is somewhat obsessed with La Noria Bistro. When any special occasion comes up, this is first pick. The menu is eclectic, with a mix of upscale Mexican and Italian, and literally every single thing we've had has been out of this world phenomenal. Every server we've had has been responsive, friendly, and knowledgeable. My daughter has the kitchen make gnocchi with chorizo. It was a special once in the past, and now that's all she wants when she's there, and they are happy to make it. Desserts are yummy, so if you have room (you probably won't), you will not be disappointed. Check out my pictures of various dishes we've had. They've all been wonderful, and the photos with the captions say everything you need to know. There is a parking lot right across the street, so no worries about having to walk a long distance. The restaurant is lovely on the inside, and in warm months there's a welcoming patio that connects to the back part of the dining room. I really hope you make a point of going here. You will be impressed! read more

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Wonderful experience. Started with a great watermelon salad, then frito mixto, then spaghetti carbonara. Gabby was a great server. Highly recommend! read more

This place is a winner. The decor is quite nice. The staff and service are good. I do feel that fusion restaurants fail at actual fusion and serve mostly two distinctly separate cuisines. I don't think this place is any exception. However, the food is very good. I had caprese and lobster bisque to start. They were both very delicious. I ordered roast goat for the main course. But what I got appeared and tasted to me like pressure cooked lamb shank in broth. Big difference; I'm not sure what happened. It wasn't quite what I expected, but it was still very good. I didn't mention it because yum. Who gets disappointed by lamb shank? Not this guy. I shall return. read more

La Noria is the sister restaurant to its better-known neighbor, El Barzon. Like El Barzon, La Noria specializes in both Mexican and Italian food. Last night, we all ordered from the Mexican side of the menu. My son and I both had the Mole Poblano and it was the best I've ever had. The sauce it fantastic; you can really taste the complexity of all of the different ingredients. My wife had some chicken tacos and they were the authentic Mexican style and very good. Our server was Bety, who was very nice. The manager, Jorge, stopped by to ask how everything was and when I told him how much I enjoyed the Mole, he asked if we had ever tried their goat. When I said I hadn't, he went and brought me a small taco to try. It was pretty good, I must say! They clearly take pride in their restaurant and the quality of the food. If you're looking for something unique in the D, this is a solid choice. read more

Y'all got more sauce than a little bit. Let's start there. On the outside if you pulling up it don't look like much. But that's a smoke in mirrors. Y'all too mf hard lol. My waiter? Super nice. Like I can tell he nice when he get off work. I ordered a Detroit mule I think it was? Y'all know the small cup that mules come in? It's not the small one. It's a huge one. Didn't even know they came that big. I finished my food before I finished that drink. Literally. The lady brought a tiki torch to the table lit my jalapeño on fire and dropped it on my drink. That bitch was fire. Now the menu. To be honest. I can't pronounce shit on there. Not none of the dish names at least so I can't say exactly what I got. But it was a pasta with calamari, shrimp, fish, salmon, clams and mussels. I know salmon and the fish fall under the same umbrella. It was another fish in there lol. That I enjoyed. Hella seafood in there. Shrimp was huge. Sauce was saucy. I'd go back and I'd recommend others to go. Y'all got it La Noria. Ima fan. read more

La Noria Bistro - Mexican Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

I did not realize this place opened last year - and I really do feel I missed out on not coming here sooner! To start they give you chips and two types of sauce - some sort of red sauce (maybe mole sauce) and a spicier green salsa. I did not care for that being in a squeeze bottle but I will assure you I had no difficulty eating a ton of it. The green salsa had a great kick to it! The red was unfortunately a bit bland but had an interesting taste and was not a traditional "salsa" moreso a sauce. The atmosphere outside seems a bit sketch as we parked in a free lot across the street but it was definitely a bit run down, the entire area- which I was surprised by based on the reviews and the fact this restaurant shares space with its sister restaurant el Barzon. However I did like the ambience inside- it had brick walls and appears the windows open up in the summer and the staff were all very hospitable and welcoming. It had a chic, casual feel and there were all types of people dining in- families and parties. The menu is extensive and has a bit of everything both Italian and Mexican options! I couldn't decide between tacos, pizza, or pasta! Not a bad decision to have to make ;). I ended up going for the homemade lasagna and I could tell it was fresh - the only thing I did not love was it was in a creamy light orange vodka type sauce versus a marinara which I'm typically used to seeing. I sampled the Caesar salad and liked it but it was a bit overpowering with the garlic taste after a bit. I also tried the meat on the goat taco and even though I do not love goat it was tasty! I would definitely come back- prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is casual but chic and you can come here for any occasion for tasty food without breaking the bank. The cocktails were also tasty and not overpriced. Overall a great date night or great place to catch up with friends in a warm welcoming environment! Tip: make sure to carry tide to go or a wipe in case you spill the yummy salsa everywhere- the bathroom here is tiny! read more

La Noria Bistro - This lasagna mmmm ! Good portion. - Mexican Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Hidden gem, and I do mean pretty hidden. Don't get turned off if you miss it the first time and have to turn around. The place is gorgeous, and the food is just amazing. I was here for a wedding shower and it really was the most beautiful day, which added to the ambiance. They had the windows/doors rolled up so everything was open and airy. Hanging plants with their leaves trailing across the ceiling added to the garden feel. Seasonal drinks were offered, including an apple cider margarita, of which I had, and a pumpkin margarita which my mother-in-law had and loved. Others at the table had a Moscow Mule, which they said was great as well. Appetizers started with chips, salsa, and guacamole, which was devoured. Arugula salad was fine. We had a choice of sea bass, mushroom and ricotta cheese ravioli, or a stuffed poblano pepper which the staff recommended the most although everyone enjoyed their choices. My ravioli was simply delicious. For dessert we had choices of coconut, lemon, lime, or pineapple sorbet which was a nice light finish to our meal. The bar is beautiful and large and well stocked. Looking forward to a date night here soon so I can bring my husband! read more

On a cold and windswept midweek lunch hour, a colleague and I ventured into La Noria Bistro, recently recognized by the Detroit Free Press as one of the Top 10 Best New Restaurants in Detroit. La Noria sits quietly with one solitary sign on the south side of a barren stretch of Michigan Ave. just a few blocks east of Livernois. The exterior of the building looks freshly painted as it has been open just less than a year. This is the heart of the southwest side...not exactly Mexican-town but close, gettin' there. One look at Owner and Chef Norberto Garita's menu and I was thrown for a loop. Hailing from the east-central area of Mexico (Puebla), Norberto combines a strong selection of his native Mexican dishes with a full Italian menu. What a combo!!! The inside of the building has been tastefully renovated with a full bar, an old school pizza oven and plenty of exposed brick and beams. Very cool w/ a nice layout. We went Mexican all the way today starting with an outstanding appetizer...the Shrimp La Noria, Sautéed Scampi Marsala in a puff pastry w/ a cream sauce...you can't beat it with a stick. We stayed south-of-the-border ordering the Fajitas de Pollo and an order of Enchiladas Rojas. The chicken enchiladas were smothered in a tasty Mole Poblano, a traditional deep red sauce popularized in Norberto's home Mexican state of Puebla. The rice and beans were also authentic to Puebla and delicious. It is clear why the Detroit Free Press chose La Noria as one of Motown's Top 10 Best New for 2018. Congrats to La Noria - 5 stars. read more

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My husband and I visited La Noria after being told El Barzón had no open tables. We were intrigued when they told us the two places shared the same menu. Of course I'd go if the menu was what I originally was seeking. Italian food with Mexican favorites . Don't pass up this gem it is one place that will quickly become a regular spot. read more

La Noria Bistro - Chicken with mozzarella cheese tomato sauce and capers delicious the potato casserole was out of this world !!! - Mexican Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Waiter is nice and the place is really nice. I couldn't get past the posole appetizer It must be a North American recipe Canceled our two on trays and left the soup read more

La Noria Bistro - White posole - Mexican Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

We endured the LONG wait in great anticipation of our meals only to receive overpriced, flavorless dishes that were served with a smile. I must say the server was very pleasant and courteous to us and the restaurant looks great! I was immediately impressed with it's tasteful decor and the wonderful accents of color via the various mexican works of art that adorn the brick walls. That coupled with a charming ambiance, belied the lackluster food and watered down cocktails that we were served. Very disappointing . read more

El Barzon but better. It's the best of everything El Barzon does right. To start, it's right next to El Barzon. We walk in and are the only people there. We get sat down and the only thing I'm hopping for is that they still have the same chips and sauces El Barzon has. Trust me they're better. They're closer to a mole version of each and served in a squeeze bottle. I get the mole and chicken pizza with a chorizo taco on the side. My guests got a pepperoni pizza and a torta. The pizza was amazing and brought out incredibly quickly. The chorizo was amazing as well. The waiter said the torta was her favorite thing on the menu and she was right. The pepperoni pizza was really good as well. I loved how the pizza wasn't greasy at all! Finished with a total around $40. Half as much as El Barzon and equally as good. This may be the new look! read more

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Best place in Detroit!!! Italian summer vibes with both Mexican and Italian food. Staff is amazing!! Ask for Alex. Food is phenomenal. Great for groups of people. read more

We had the BEST meal at La Noria last night! I went with 3 friends before a show downtown

Even adjusting for the labor shortage, the kitchen had a bad night. Too bad it was on my 1st visit. It is right next-door to its sister restaurant, El Barzón. It is in a very sketchy part of town and from the street looks like a Coney Island. They do have a fenced parking lot in back, but the guard booth is unattended. You can enter through the rear alley, which will give you a much more impressive entrance. Inside it is extremely well done and the decor is a wonderful upscale casual feel with lots of brick. Very similar to El Barzón, but maybe a bit more upscale? 5 starts for atmosphere. Definitely date night place. I tried their classic margarita; when it arrived, it was so sour it made my eyes turn white. Literally, it was undrinkable. I asked if they could sweeten it or do something to it. The manager remade it himself and it came back much more drinkable. My wife's tamarind mule was actually quite good. The menu is huge and very diverse. Very ambitious. For apps we ordered the octopus and the eggplant stuffed with tomato/cheese. I have never had such tender and properly cooked octopus. Too bad the lemon sauce was extremely sour; too sour. The stuffed eggplant was very good. For entrées, my wife ordered the lasagna and I got the zuppa di pesce. The lasagna: very good. Properly constructed. Too bad it arrived luke warm and clearly had been sitting waiting for my zuppa to be microwaved. Yes, I said microwaved. My zuppa arrived in a large bowl and filled with lots of seafood. The amount of seafood is overwhelming. I mean like tons of seafood. The broth itself was bland, watery, and extremely scaldingly hot. It gave me the impression that it had been frozen and brought to a extremely high temperature by being left in the microwave too long. The seafood was clearly not cooked in the broth it was added after the fact. But because the broth was so scaldingly hot, it quickly over cooked all the seafood. The squid was like chewing on hard rubber. I requested some Cayenne which they did not have. The server did take it back to try to doctor it up to give it a little more flavor. It came out pretty spicy, but still watery and pretty flavorless. We wanted to try the flan but the server was a bit overwhelmed, so we just got the check. I admire what this restaurant is trying to accomplish; upscale food, creative menu, quality ingredients, all with a mix of Italian and Mexican cultures. But the quality control was just not there this night. I do plan to come back and try some of the other menu items. read more

Such a Delicacy, I had to share my Experience!! FROM Seating to Dine, service was Great!! Now since I wasn't pressed for time and my 1st visit!! Nadia pleasantly talked me through their Menu; Cocktail Specials, Entree Choices and even the "Oven Station!!" And Oh yeah I stood there Impressed while Tony prepared a Personal Veg'Piz....or in his WORDS, "Making a Veggie with Love!"....So my choices weren't limited. So pointing and asking I ordered the Enchiladas; Chicken and Cheese topped with Red Sauce..Steamed Rice and their House Salad!! .....Hot, Fresh and Good!! Chicken was so Tender, didn't even need my Butter-knife!! You know the dullest knife used only for Spread!! Crazee how Tastee the Red Sauce was!! Muuch flavour!! The House Salad...its actually the Bezt I have had...that Good!! For your Cocktail and Chill Sipping Visual-- I ordered my favorite Beer, Corola...Good and Cold!! Even had the 'OPPOR' to Taste an Avocado Martini!! [You are reading it right and I don't like that Green Stuff either] Shiggity came with Tequila....Ooh going back for another sample! I gotta make Sure I like it! My Lasting Impression, Seating was Spacious and Dim -- For the Cozy Mood'r!! ***Xtra(s) Dinner menu has Exotic sampling choices, if yah into that! Me, I need to know my food didn't have Tenticles, so there!! Dine in or Call -- but a Must Try!! Till Next Time.... read more

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