New on Resy: Miznon, Blue Smoke, Hunan Slurp

If you can’t fathom a roasted cauliflower with a cult following, then you haven’t been to Miznon. The acclaimed Israeli chain, which boasts devotees from Paris to Melbourne, landed in Chelsea Market earlier this year. And chef Eyal Shani is forgoing the hits in favor of capturing the flavor of each new city he’s in: think a pita with a cheeseburger folded into it, to honor New York. Get the run-over potato, ribeye minute steak pita, and, of course, flagship baby cauliflower.

Rooted in the culinary traditions of the American South but raised in New York City, Danny Meyer’s Blue Smoke (with locations in Flatiron and Battery Park) does barbecue right. Named for the curl of smoke that rises from the pit, the restaurant is helmed by executive chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois, who digs deep into his Louisiana heritage and family recipes to develop the restaurant’s specialties (think cornbread madeleines alongside a pulled pork platter).

Located in the heart of the East Village, Hunan Slurp highlights the mifen rice noodles of chef Chao Wang’s hometown (the chef-artist opened the restaurant as an antidote to a bout of homesickness). In addition to the many delightful Hunan-style plates–sweet-and-sour spare ribs, Hunan charcuterie, stir-fried chicken—your one-way ticket to noodle heaven lies in the fish fillet mifen, a flavorful broth that’ll have you happily slurping away.

Ever wonder what it’s like to fish for your meal? Japanese import Zauo boasts open tanks filled with trout, salmon, and striped bass—and hands you a rod on arrival. The kitchen serves your catch prepared to your specifications:  grilled, simmered in soy sauce, as sashimi, or tempura-fried. Be careful what you fish for; whatever you catch, you must eat!

Inspired by an era when adventure and discovery blossomed, The Musket Room is an ode to New Zealand’s culinary history. At the Michelin-starred restaurant, chef-owner and kiwi native Matt Lambert cooks an elaborate tasting menu that takes diners through the evolution of his island’s cuisine, from Old World traditions to modern-day locavore flavors.

Taking half of its name from its old pop-up days (Pig Beach in Gowanus), and the other half from its street, Pig Bleecker is not your typical barbecue restaurant. Helmed by Matt Abdoo (Del Posto) and Shane McBride (Balthazar), the meat destination brings fine dining flair to America’s favorite comfort food, so expect pigs in donut blankets with an extraordinary mustard sauce, brisket ravioli, and roasted cauliflower cacio e pepe.

You won’t have to sneak into an office lobby to get into this Sakagura. The East Village welcomed the izakaya’s second location just this month, offering the same well-renowned sake list (over 200 bottles, kept at an ideally cool 41 degrees) and Japanese bites. Menu highlights include fresh carpaccio with umami jelly, wagyu beef cooked table-side on hot stone, and kamameshi Japanese premium rice pots.

With its Bauhaus-style bar, whitewashed brick walls, and wood-lined dining room, The Richmond could be the ultimate Brooklyn restaurant, notwithstanding its location. The French-inspired bistro sits across the Narrows in Staten Island, and churns out market fresh plates, like an excellent octopus carpaccio, beef short ribs, and cauliflower Parmesan.

From the team who brought us Ruby’s, Dudley’s is a neighborhood staple that delivers good vibes and great food in equal measure. The American-meets-Australian all-day cafe serves a lust-worthy brunch (read: ricotta hotcakes), alongside sandwiches, and pasta (sample the decadent crab linguini), all within a lively environment that’s a destination to see-and-be-seen.

This whimsical cocktail bar is helmed by two industry veterans, promising exceptional cocktails, ranging from perfectly executed classics to choose-your-poison concoctions. Here, food and drink both receive equal attention, so bring an appetite. Opt for the Happiest Burger, a double-stacked melty-cheese-secret-sauce offering that’s one of the best in the city (yes, really).

Cozy up in a little slice of Paris after a stroll through Fort Greene Park. Petit Paulette is a French-style wine bar that focuses on organic and natural wines, with perfectly-executed charcuterie and a raw bar on the side. Look out for brunch, coming soon.

At Pietro Nolita, la vie en rose is taken quite literally. The healthy Italian eatery, which serves fresh plates and saucy pasta (get the fusilli al limone), is entirely decked out in the rosy color, from top to bottom. One thing’s for sure: you’ll be seeing—and drinking—through rose-colored glasses.

French cuisine meets Northern California flair at this neighborhood bistro. With Julia Child, Alice Waters, and James Beard in mind, chef-owner Nicole O’Brien creates a seasonal French-inspired cuisine at the Pandering Pig, dishing out boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin, and mussels steamed in white wine, alongside a French-Californian wine list.

Azasu combines the best of both worlds: a beer in one hand, chopsticks in another. The Lower East Side izakaya makes comforting curries, crispy pork gyoza, and hearty chanko nabe (sumo wrestlers’ favorite hot pot dish), all of which pair perfectly with Azasu’s extensive drink list, from Japanese whiskies to frozen shochu drinks. Kanpai!