The Dogwood (CLOSED)

Carolina roots run deep at this Southern-comfort Brooklyn joint, from North Carolina native Matt Weavil (owner of Fat Beagle) and his wife Ashley. Named after that state's official flower, the rustic 35-seat restaurant specializes in updated down-home eats: Gruyère biscuits with arbol-chili–strawberry jam; heirloom tomatoes with summer melon, country ham and crispy hominy; and a Berkshire porterhouse with sautéed dandelion greens and grilled peach compote. Find peach cobbler, as both dessert (bourbon-spiked cobbler with goat-cheese drop biscuits and buttermilk ice cream) and cocktail (sauvignon blanc with crushed peaches, cinnamon syrup and thyme). Potted dogwoods are set throughout the bluegrass-soundtrack space, which also features mason-jar chandeliers and 1928 church pews bought off a local nun.