In honor of the Detroit Institute of Arts exhibition, Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Detroit, local restaurants and bars have created specialty dishes and cocktails to celebrate the lives of these renowned artists. The DIA invited area restaurants and bars to develop specialty cocktails and dishes with Rivera and Kahlo in mind. Several popular venues responded, ranging from the well established to the brand new.
Antietam
“El Poco Querido”, a cocktail made with colorful ingredients, inspired by Kahlo’s masterpiece The Wounded Dear. It is light, delicate, sweet and a bit bold, made with Espolon tequila, shaken and served in a classic short-stemmed glass with an edible flower garnish. The drink pays tribute to the legendary pelea de gallos (fighting cocks) and Rivera and Kahlo’s sometimes heated relationship. 1428 Gratiot Ave., Detroit | 313-782-4378
El Asador Steakhouse
Pork in yellow moleguajillo chiles, tomatillos and the leaves of hierba santa. Poblano chiles stuffed with picadillo or cheese, chicken pipián, (güero chiles, pumpkin seeds, almonds or peanuts). 1312 Springwells St., Detroit | 313-297-2360
El Barzon
Traditional Oaxacan mole negro (black sauce)—three types of roasted chiles, sesame seeds, chocolate, raisins and almonds, peanuts, and cloves served over turkey legs. 3710 Junction Rd., Detroit | 313-894-2070
El Zocalo
Frida Fridays—every Friday a different entree taken from the cookbooks and notes of Frida Kahlo will be featured. 3400 Bagley St., Detroit | 313-841-3700
Fourteen East
(Extended hours on Friday nights to serve evening exhibition visitors) Mexican spiced hot chocolate whisked with a molinillo. Lime pie with a crust made of Marias Almond Polvorones, traditional Mexican cookies. 15 E. Kirby St, Detroit | 313-871-0500
Gold Cash Gold
Frida’s Blue House—Lunazul Blanco tequila, fresh cucumber and lemon, blue curacao. 2100 Michigan Ave., Detroit | 313-242-0770
Las Cazuelas Grill
Diego’s Mole Poblano—chile ancho, roasted peanuts, chocolate, roasted pumpkin seeds, black pepper, garlic and salt. 4000 Livernois Ave., Detroit | 313-996-5529
La Feria
Red: the color of passion, the color of communism, the color of love. La Feria, heralding from the country of Spain where the color of red is equally revered, pays tribute to the spirit and energy of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera through tequila and tapas draped in red.
Sipping tequila—Corralejo Reposado.
Cocktail—La Pasión De Frida, an invigorating mix of Corralejo Añejo tequila, tamarind, freshly squeezed lime and lemon juice and a splash of Maraschino water.
Tapa—Papas Arrugadas con Mojo: red skinned potatoes with a red bell pepper and garlic salsa. 4139 Cass Ave., Detroit | 313-285-9081
Rock City Eatery
Panzón + Friducha—pan seared tongue, ash-baked beets, radish, avocado, pickled corn, dill and cilantro served with a shot of Cabresto tequila (choice of silver or gold). 11411 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck.
Traffic Jam and Snug
Mixiotes — tender chicken marinated in guajillo chiles, garlic, onion, cinnamon, tequila, thyme and marjoram, steamed and served with potatoes and corn tortillas. Garnished with traditional accompaniments including avocado, pineapple and house pickled onion and habanero peppers. This dish hails from Rivera’s birthplace, Guanajuato, Mexico. 511 W. Canfield St., Detroit | 313-831-9470
Union Street
“Ode to Detroit Industry”—made with Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Chartreuse Green, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur and fresh lime elegantly presented in a martini glass.
“La Casa Azul”—Mexican hot chocolate trifle made with luscious layers of chipotle-chili-spiked chocolate cake and cinnamon pastry cream topped with fresh whipped cream and candied jalapeño.
Chiles En Nogada—poblano chiles stuffed with picadillo covered in walnut-sherry cream sauce and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. 4145 Woodward Ave., Detroit 313-831-3965
The DIA has also created the pop-up eatery, Azul to accommodate expected crowds when the museum’s cafeteria and café are full. Azul offers light Mexican fare, Mexican beer and margaritas. www.dia.org | 313-833-7971.