Boston area diners who think they know Chinese food are in for an education. While the Cantonese, Sichuan and Mandarin styles are common, the Hub hasn’t hosted a restaurant exclusively featuring Hunan cuisine—until now. Opened in late July, Sumiao Hunan Kitchen (270 Third St., Cambridge, 617-945-0907, sumiaohunan.com) offers the spicy, flavorful tastes of this region in a colorful, modern setting that boasts both an open kitchen and a fireplace along with a seasonal outdoor patio. Sample dishes generously laced with chili peppers and garlic while sipping exotic cocktails made with rice wine or the Chinese spirit baijiu, a liquor made with fermented sorghum.