Those of us at Restaurant Hospitality regularly see what independent operators are dishing out, but some menu items make us stop and stare — whether they involve an out-of-the-box way of using an ingredient, the appearance of a burgeoning trend or simply stunning presentations. We bring to you NOM: our New on the Menu weekly roundup.

The latest dishes and drinks that have us doing a double-take this week include a soup with all of the flavors of a cheeseburger, a black lava salt-rimmed cocktail, a fine-dining version of the classic poke bowl and a huge “Panther Bowl” drink featuring Kalahari truffle-infused gin and locally harvested honey.

See what stands out from the crowd. 

Email Anna Kang at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @euphoric_eats