Rockin' Cupcakes to Compete on TV, Dishcrawl Coming to Town and More 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.

Rockin' Cupcakes in Rochester Hills: 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."

Dishcrawl in Royal Oak: 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.

Cheesecake Factory in Novi: 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. 

Spice and Tea Exchange in Birmingham: Culinary Kisses will stop by the spice shop from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 3, to teach a class on cooking vegan soul food. Learn to make collard greens, macaroni and cheese, black-eyed peas, jalapeno cornbread muffins and sweet potato pie. To RSVP, visit CulinaryKisses.com.

Maria's in Royal Oak: 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.

Paint Creek Cider Mill in Oakland Township: 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.

Garden Fresh Gourmet in Ferndale: 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.

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