Bun

Photo: Wenyi Huang

Bun
The noodle revolution rages on at this Vietnamese spot from husband-and-wife team Michael Bao Huynh (Mai House) and Thao Nguyen. Expect a range of rice-noodle dishes paired with proteins like duck leg and pigs’ feet, and small plates including a poached egg with sea urchin and truffle. 143 Grand St at Lafayette St (212-431-7999)

Arepas Cafe
Onetime truffle salesman Riccardo Romero left the gourmet game to open this 36-seat café. Inspired takes on the Venezuelan snack (try Riccardo’s Tuna, made with tuna, pico de gallo, avocado and truffle butter) are offered alongside the classics. 33-07 36th Ave between 33rd and 34th Sts, Long Island City, Queens (718-937-3835)

Athens Tavern
Authentic flourishes, like a selection of hard-to-find Greek cheeses, separate this newcomer from Astoria’s more conventional tavernas. Chef Yianni Baxevanis of Athens eatery Hytra consults. 23-01 31st St at 23rd Ave, Astoria, Queens (718-267-0800)

Bocca di Bacco
This Venetian wine bar goes for cozy with communal dining and more than 40 wines by the glass. Chef Roberto Passon (of Roberto Passon) offers panini, pastas and Italian tapas. 828 Ninth Ave between 54th and 55th Sts (212-265-8828)

Cantina
Cook-on-the-lam Jason Neroni (Porchetta) surfaces as a consulting chef at this East Village Pan-Latin spot, designed by Jason Volenec (La Esquina, Joe’s Pub). Neroni’s slant on South of the Border eats includes a lamb tongue sandwich with membrillo and almond butter. 29 Ave B between 2nd and 3rd Sts (212-228-0599)

Cafe Katja
Monkey Bar vets Andrew Chase and Erwin Schrottner tap their Hungarian and Austrian backgrounds in the former El Bocadito space. Small plates, including homemade bratwurst and a lemony smoked trout with cucumber salad, complement the four German drafts and a mostly Austrian wine list. 79 Orchard St between Broome and Grand Sts (212-219-9545)

Eat-pisode
Husband-and-wife duo Tatwara Supulchai and Numpetch Plengpanich serve homey Thai fare—like duck with tamarind sauce and black sticky rice rolled with minced chicken and turnips—at this 35-seat Lower East Side newcomer. 123 Ludlow St between Delancey and Rivington Sts (212-677-7624)

Frank White
Named for Christopher Walken’s character in the cult film The King of New York, this coffeeshop-cum-gallery opens on Atlantic Avenue. A photograph of rapper Biggie Smalls, who used Frank White as an alias (popular name!), crowns the otherwise old-world interior. 936 Atlantic Ave at St. James Pl, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn (718-622-0840)

Label

Photo: Beth Levendis

Label
Empanadas warming in the window throw night owls off the scent of this Meatpackingesque boîte from former Cielo manager Nick Valencia. Live DJs pump 21st-century sounds through 14 speakers six nights a week. Sample caipirinhas, or relieve hunger pangs with one of those golden stuffed pastries (yes, they actually sell them). 174 Rivington St between Attorney and Clinton Sts (212-228-9600)

The Bourgeois Pig
Owner Ravi Derossi snagged a larger space just across the street for the second coming of his three-year-old bar, the Bourgeois Pig; the first location will close in the coming weeks. The 60-seat spot (an improvement over the original’s 20) features a wine, beer and champagne cocktail menu (think “champagne punch,” made with peach preserves, elderflower cordial, orange bitters and lemon) designed by Death & Company booze alchemist Philip Ward. 111 E 7th St between First Ave and Ave A (212-475-2246)

105 Riv
Nestled beneath the Hotel on Rivington’s 21 stories is this snug 50-seat lounge from the folks behind Cielo and Spy Bar. Cherry-red carpeting, black leather banquettes and an illuminated bar buck the rustic-chic trend. Expect international house music and an annoying door policy to rival West Chelsea’s most stringent. Hotel on Rivington, 105 Rivington St between Essex and Ludlow Sts (no phone)