New on Resy: Mamaleh’s, Sarma, Cafe Sushi

A Jewish deli for the modern age, Mamaleh’s delights in many ways. First, most everything is homemade, from the pillowy bagels and bialys to the brisket, which is smoked and brined in-house. Then, there’s the space, deliciously old-school in a way that calls back to the soda shops of lore. But most importantly, there’s a warmth that permeates the air of this Kendall charmer, where troves of locals come to delve into matzo ball soup that may just be better than their bubbe’s.

There’s a love for small plates at Sarma, or Oleana’s little sister. At this buzzy Somerville locale, vibrant Middle Eastern plates (courtesy of James Beard Award-nominated chef Cassie Piuma) weave in and out of the kitchen in a blur of spice and color. Get ready for feta cheese gnocchi laced with loukaniko, sugar snap peas with a dollop of pistachio tahini, and a seven-layer hummus, decadently scooped up with falafel crackers.

The undisputed sushi king of Harvard Square is in a nondescript retail complex with a 1980s neon sign. But step inside the sleek space, and you’ll see college crowds and omakase connoisseurs alike, for Cafe Sushi has it all: rolls, bento boxes, and nigiri, alongside one of the most astounding omakase in town, where jeweled pieces of cured tuna, seared salmon, and creamy Hokkaido uni will leave you nothing short of breathless.

Lively and delicious, The Painted Burro is a Davis Square stalwart through and through. While the kitchen explores the tangy flavors of Mexican street food (read: toothsome tacos, melty carnitas, hearty tortas), the bar boasts an impressive collection of 100+ tequila varieties. So pull up a chair, order an array of tasty snacks, and definitely get a margarita.

When in Fort Point and in need of pizza, make a beeline for Pastoral. Firing up artisanal pies from a wood-fired oven straight out of Naples, this rustic-industrial gem shows a deep love for Italy. Case in point: handcrafted pasta, regional Italian wines, and a seasonal approach to large-format plates and toppings. Plus, chef-owner Todd Winer has been certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, so you know those perfectly blistered pies are as authentic as they get.

If you’re friends with a Bostonian, they’ll suggest going to the North End for Italian. If you’re really good friends with a Bostonian, they’ll tell you to go to La Morra (and they’ll try to join, too). This Brookline gem wows with its old-school Northern Italian specialties—think Cornish hen grilled under a brick, duck breast simmered in chocolate, and house tagliatelle sauced in Bolognese. There’s special love put into these plates, and you’re bound to feel it.

Your first thought might be, “Is this a dive bar?” And the answer to that is yes and no, for State Park is many things. It’s where college students down beers and play pool, longtime friends share a cocktail pitcher, sports fans of every stripe watch the game, and industry folk chomp down on truly sensational bites (the fried chicken is as close to a revelation as it gets). All in all, State Park is an underground hangout for everyone, and has a serious juke box to boot.

Enticingly eclectic is one way of describing this Union Square locale. With its iron-clad chandeliers and colorful Game of Thrones-esque chairs, the space reads as an inviting medieval home. And it suits Bronwyn Restaurant well, where German and Eastern European fare steals the limelight. Tuck into house-made wursts, crispy-thin schnitzel, and luscious twirls of spätzle, alongside a stellar flight of German beers.

This David Square favorite has all the trappings of a buzzy French brasserie: a checkered floor, plush banquettes, mirrored walls, and a menu peppered with classic bistro fare (moules-frites, French onion soup, coq au vin). But the Foundry throws in a touch of Americana, too, bringing in proper ales, expertly stirred cocktails, and elevated pub grub to round it all off.

Tucked below Foundry on Elm, Saloon is an ode to pre-Prohibition-era establishments. That means a den-like locale, outfitted in wood paneling, antique drum chandeliers, and red leather banquettes, alongside tasty plates (read: mussels à la plancha, grilled ribeye, poutine). Drink-wise, the libations are stiff and uncomplicated, but you’re here for the whiskey; Saloon boasts over 120 varieties.

Arabic for “pantry,” Moona does indeed guard a kitchen rife with aromatic spices and herbs. And we’d expect no less from Boston Magazine’s Best Middle Eastern Restaurant of 2018, where the kitchen lovingly puts together hot and cold mezze, from feta and currant fritters to Bandari-style mussels (with green chickpeas, fennel, and spring onion). Pro-tip: leave room for dessert, where Lebanese knafeh shines.

Fresh, zippy, and bright, the plates at Urban Hearth are farm-to-table perfection. And that’s because chef Erin Miller crafts a menu that plays to the tune of the seasons, utilizing locally-sourced goods. So, settle into this cozy North Cambridge stalwart bathed in natural light, and build-your-own 3-5 course menu at night—the sunchoke truffle soup isn’t to be missed.

There are plenty of (meat) tips and taps to rave about at this Beacon Hill gastropub. Helmed by chef Brian Poe, The Tip Tap Room offers a variety of wild game cuts—from boar meatballs to antelope burger—alongside a stellar lineup of craft beers.

An underground lounge with a serious kitchen, Brass Union deals in spruced-up tavern food. We’re talking braised pork belly with brown butter pumpkin, buttermilk fried mushroom sandwich, and lamb burger with caramelized fennel mayo, with an enticing beer and cocktail list that’s got the Union Square crowds streaming in.

Asian American-inspired fare makes up the menu at 2Twenty2, a lounge-like spot on the outskirts of the West End. Here, specialty rolls brush up against crispy soft-shell crab tempura and beef-stuffed scallion pancakes, which are exactly what you want when playing shuffleboard and giant jenga.