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[title]The following venues are expected to open by August 22. Always call ahead, as openings can be delayed.
Blossom du Jour The 12-seat location of this café proves that vegan cuisine and comfort food aren't paradoxical terms. Look into the open kitchen, where chefs cook up meatless dishes, like the Midtown Melt (Cajun-spiced seitan, agave guacamole, vegan cheddar and chipotle aioli on rosemary focaccia) and a vegan burger with soy bacon and onion rings. Healthy organic fruit and vegetable juices are blended on site, including the Field of Green, which combines spinach, kale, ginger, lemon, apple, cucumber and parsley. 617 Ninth Ave between 43rd and 44th Sts (646-998-3535)
Blue Spoon Coffee Co. Sip on cups of Intelligentsia coffee and nibble on Balthazar pastries at the second location of this coffeeshop. The homey 12-seat café—which is outfitted with white-tiled walls and dark wood tables—also serves lunch fare throughout the day, including sandwiches, salads and soups. 90 William St at Platt St (212-809-8880)
The Bowery Kitchen Find wallet-friendly modern Italian plates—like whole-wheat salmon lasagna and curried chicken risotto—at this 65-seat Nolita restaurant. The artsy spot features a poured-concrete bar, black-and-white photos and handcrafted Italian tables for sale. 220 Bowery between Prince and Spring Sts (212-837-2370)
Down East Clam Shack This takeout storefront channels Maine's seafood shacks, serving sustainable New England fish in nautical-themed digs. Get freshly shucked oysters, such as Wellfleets and Montauk Pearls, or a lobster roll: Claw, knuckle and tail pieces are piled on a butter-toasted split-top roll, swiped with Helman's mayo and sprinkled with celery salt. Meat lovers can opt for a natural-casing beef hot dog, sourced from New England supplier Old Neighborhood. 79 Delancey St at Allen St (646-389-3474)
La Dolce Café & Bakehouse This Italian-style bakeshop beckons Park Slope sugar fiends with showy eight-tier cakes, exhibited in the front window display. Inside the 20-seat café, find fruit tarts, cookies, croissants and biscotti, as well as gelato (flavors include banana, tiramisu and passion fruit). 461 Fifth Ave between 10th and 11th Sts, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-832-8282)
Macaron Café Pair a glass of bubbly with macarons at the Midtown East location of this French dessert bar. The signature treats come in flavors like pumpkin-cinnamon, lychee-rose and chocolate–passion fruit. Also on the menu: espresso drinks, sandwiches (including the Capri, with goat cheese, apple and honey) and salads (like the French Caesar, with bacon, egg and Roquefort sauce). 750 Third Ave between 46th and 47th Sts (212-983-2370)
Maison Kayser French baker Eric Kayser—whose holdings include more than 20 boulangeries in the City of Light—opens his first stateside café, on the Upper East Side. Nab one of the brass-rimmed marble tables and choose from French breads and pastries (including lemon tarts, brioche and financiers). The 104-seat space is handsomely appointed with wainscotting and light sconces. 1294 Third Ave between 74th and 75th Sts (212-744-3100)
Pork Slope While fellow Top Chefs chased Hollywood fame, All-Stars contestant Dale Talde left behind the reality-show lights to stage his solo debut—Talde—in a sleepy Brooklyn 'hood, drawing two-hour waits for "pretzel" pork dumplings way out in the Slope. Now for his sophomore project, the toque—along with partners David Massoni and John Bush (Thistle Hill Tavern)—switches gears, pivoting from his signature Pan-Asian plates to full-blooded, boozy Americana. At this honky-tonk watering hole—styled with stuffed boars' heads, dinged tin signs and a pool table—drinkers can toss back a canned brew or whiskey at the long oak bar. The muse here is Patrick Swayze in the cult classic Road House, with a daily beer-and-shot special named after his character Dalton and a framed movie photo on the wall. But Talde's pro kitchen chops are still on display with the porcine-heavy drunk eats: a griddled burger topped with house-smoked pulled pork, or biscuits served alongside artisanal country ham, plus hot wings made with all-natural poultry and Chicago-style dogs featuring all-beef franks. 247 Fifth Ave between Carroll St and Garfield Pl, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-768-7675)
Sugar and Plumm Upper West Side, meet Candyland: This 4,300-square-foot bistro features dentist-defying confections from pastry chef Pichet Ong, like a tiramisu affogato, layered with thick mascarpone semifreddo, amoretti cookie crumbs and freshly ground espresso. There are also decadent options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, such as a waffle loaded with house-smoked Berkshire pulled pork and maple BBQ sauce. The decor keeps the sugar parade going, with lollipop door handles and a candy-themed glass mosaic. An adjoining gift shop sells treats from master Parisian chocolatiers. 377 Amsterdam Ave at 78th St (212-787-8778)
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