Hot Restaurant Openings: Mister Jiu's, Pineapple And Pearls
12 new places to add to your must-try list
New York City
Foster Sundry: This gourmet provisions shop makes a mean sandwich. The selection includes an Italian hero with house-made ham and mortadella, an egg and cheese biscuit with spicy greens and aioli, and a Reuben made on Roberta's rye with house-made corned beef or pastrami, Emmentaler and sauerkraut. Find Foster Sundry here, or in our DINE app.
San Francisco
Mister Jiu's: Bar Agricole and Quince alum Brandon Jew wants to bring locals back to SF's Chinatown with his new restaurant in the old Four Seas space. "We're trying to define San Francisco Chinese food," he says. The five-course, $69 menu has everything from hot and sour soup with fish cake, nasturtium and lily buds to rice noodles with uni and sprouts, which is served communally for the table. Find Mister Jiu's here, or in our DINE app.
Chicago
SteakBar: The Benchmark crew brought in Hogsalt Hospitality—the team behind Au Cheval—to develop the menu at this casual steakhouse. There's creamed spinach fondue with blue cheese and caramelized onions, "chicken fried chicken steak" and several other steak options, all of them wet-aged. Expect a lively atmosphere, especially as the evening goes on. Find SteakBar here, or in our DINE app.
La Cocinita: Benoit and Rachel Angulo, the duo behind the popular food trucks by the same name, now have a brick-and-mortar restaurant where they're serving patacones (sandwiches made with plantains in place of bread) with carne asada, slaw, queso fresco and salsa verde; arepas; and tacos. There's also a Venezuelan brunch with breakfast tacos and cachapas, or sweet corn pancakes, topped with eggs, cheese and meat or veggies. Find La Cocinita here, or in our DINE app.
Washington, D.C.
Pineapple and Pearls: The new space from Aaron Silverman of Rose's Luxury has been open during the day for almost two months now, but the tasting menu dinners are just getting under way this month. While there are no menus online (they will likely change frequently), some Instagrammers have given little peeks of the stunning multicourse meals, which seem to end with personalized chocolate soufflés with buckwheat and honeycomb ice cream in baby copper pots. Find Pineapple and Pearls here, or in our DINE app.
Zannchi: This new Georgetown spot joins the growing group of casual, modern Korean restaurants sprouting up. Most of the menu focuses around banchan, like a Korean cheese omelet, mandu and japchae, as well as bibimbaps, like one made with sesame leaves or Korean basil, onion and ground beef, and another with tofu and avocado. Find Zannchi here, or in our DINE app.
RELATED Meet the New Guard of Korean Cooking in America "
Austin
Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot: The city's first outpost of this hot pot chain just landed with its swimming pots of chile-laden broths in which diners can dip and cook beef, shrimp balls, pork kidney and a host of other proteins. There are also lots of vegetables, like seaweed knots, bok choy and bean curd skins. Oh, and for those who don't like it too hot, don't worry: There's a mild version, too. Find Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot here, or in our DINE app.
Houston
Restless Palate: Texas food isn't only meaty platters and thick-as-your-thumb toast. This health-focused Katy spot has salads, sustainable fish and cauliflower mash galore. For a small charge, you can even swap your side of fries for dehydrated vegetable chips or the challah burger bun for a gluten-free rice flour roll. Find Restless Palate here, or in our DINE app.
El Burro & the Bull: The only bad thing about this barbecue counter is you'll have to waddle back up the art deco staircase after a blissful meal of ribs, smoked pork tacos and chopped brisket. This small-batch meat joint is located in Conservatory, the city's first food hall, which is also home to Melange Creperie and Samurai Noodle. Find El Burro & the Bull here, or in our DINE app.
Kuma Burgers: Whether you opt for barbecue, Texan or spicy, you'll start feeling like the animal in the logo—a furry friend giving chef Willet Feng's burger a big bear hug. If you're feeling bold, try the spicy burger, which has a trifecta of jalapeños (fresh, pickled and charred), plus sambal-spiked mayo. Find Kuma Burgers here, or in our DINE app.
Miami
Ms. Cheezious: Head to Coral Gables to visit the second location of the beloved food truck-gone-gourmet grilled cheese joint. Choose between a comforting Frito pie melt or a house-smoked turkey number, or tap into your creative side and build your own. And, yes, the turquoise truck (and its giant pinup girl decal) will still roam Miami's streets. Find Ms. Cheezious here, or in our DINE app.
Caviar Russe: It should come as no surprise that you'll find plenty of pinky-up fish eggs at this elegantly designed spot, which also stocks Dom Pérignon and house-made blini. Not only is it in the name, but some of that luxury comes from the location: The chandeliered restaurant is located inside the Four Seasons hotel in Brickell. Find Caviar Russe here, or in our DINE app.