The new year begins minus one of the multiple Mexican joints on E. Liberty. Adam Baru closed Isalita Cantina Mexicana as of December 23 after twelve years next to his destination Italian restaurant Mani Osteria & Bar. He’s planning to remake the space as Mani Next Door to accommodate family-style meals, larger parties, and private events, aiming to open in time for U-M’s graduation. “Some of these other restaurants are doing a really good job of doing Mexican food,” he acknowledges.

He considered using the space to revive the bistro Mikette, which closed on Plymouth Rd. in 2020, but instead will concentrate on his most successful restaurant and perhaps bring back its Sunday brunch.

“We’re really enjoying the fruits of all the labor, and being able to focus specifically on Mani,” Baru says. “We can see that concept and that brand just has a lot of opportunity moving forward.”

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