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[title]The following venues are expected to open by June 13. Always call ahead, as openings can be delayed.
Casa Ventura Brothers José and Giovanni Ventura (Calle Ocho), GM and chef respectively, showcase Latin American fare at this 90-seat canteen. Perch at the copper-topped bar, which is stocked with 20 varities of rum and ten organic wines, and swig a Watermelon Cooler Mojito (Brugal rum and fresh basil, plus lemon, lime and watermelon juices), or settle into one of the wood tables for a full meal. The menu features hearty plates—with an emphasis on their mother's Puerto Rican dishes—like chicharrón de pollo (adobo-marinated chicken), mofonguitos (crispy green plantains mashed with citron and aioli) and asopao de langosta (Puerto Rican gumbo made with lobster and fried plantains). 210 Seventh Ave at 3rd St, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-965-4000, casaventurarestaurant.com)
Dacha Following a spate of high-flying Russki openings (Brasserie Pushkin, Onegin) comes this swank 74-seat spot, named after the Russian word for country house. Austrian crystal chandeliers, an ornamental fireplace and gold-and-burgundy banquettes add a sumptuous luster to the the barnwood-paneled dining room. The menu recalls the old country's pre-Revolutionary Francophone era with traditional dishes both French (sautéed foie gras, mussels in garlic sauce) and Russian (beef Stroganoff, braised short ribs served in ceramic pots). As expected at an Imperial-influenced restaurant, the bar showcases plenty of vodka, including 11 infusions with the spirit, varying from classic (horseradish) to confounding (chocolate cake). 541 LaGuardia Pl between Bleecker and W 3rd Sts (212-931-0660, dachanyc.com)
The 'dam Upper West Siders can tilt back a brew and play dominos at this laid-back tavern, outfitted with oak tables, brick walls and vintage photos of New York City. Casual drinkers and beer snobs will find something from the wide-ranging selection that includes pours both commercial (Bud Light and Amstel) and craft (Delirium Tremens, Fire Island). Pad all the boozing with a plate from the pub-grub menu, which features shepherd's pie, meatball sliders and frickles (crisply fried pickles served with a rémoulade sauce). 998 Amsterdam Ave at 110th St (212-257-4998, thedamnyc.com)
Gelato Ti Amo Italian native Luca Meacci brings an outpost of the all-natural gelateria, based in his hometown of Arezzo, to the East Village. Like the original, this takeout shop makes its creamy, cold treats with top-notch ingredients, such as Italian organic Mukki milk, hazelnuts from Lagne and pistachios from Bronte. Twenty-five gelatos—including, in a nod to Gotham's signature sweet, a cheesecake flavor made with strawberries, homemade cream cheese and digestive cookies—rotate daily. 68 Second Ave at 4th St (212-432-2800)
Jum Mum Asian-style buns are the focus of this wood-lined takeout joint, from Chace Restaurant Group (Ember Room, Spot Dessert Bar). Find more than seven versions—including pork belly, bulgogi and chicken cutlet—plus a handful of rice dishes (pork cutlet) and sides (steamed dumplings). 5 St Marks Pl between Second and Third Aves (212-673-6745)
Kahve Hell's Kitchen locals can sip Turkish coffee at this Mediterranean café, which is outfitted with a 100-year-old pressed-tin ceiling and salvaged-wood benches covered with burlap-coffee-bag cushions. The 12-seat spot—whose name translates to "coffee" in Turkish—also offers sweets (baklava, almond cookies), salads and panini, as well as espresso shots pulled from a Nuova Simonelli machine. 774 Ninth Ave between 51st and 52nd Sts (212-256-0207, kahvebean.com)
Nicoletta In the past few years, chef Michael White has crisscrossed Gotham, erecting standard-bearing beacons of Italian cuisine: the gleaming seafood temple Marea on Central Park South; the raucous Bolognese trattoria Osteria Morini in Soho; and the hushed fine-dining hotel restaurant Ai Fiori in Midtown East. Now the empire-building toque sets his sights on the East Village to debut his first pizzeria: a 58-seat, brick-walled joint with sidewalk seating, pitchers of beer and, yes, delivery coming soon. In the open kitchen sit two hulking Marsal brick ovens, which chef de cuisine Ben Lee will fire up for seasonal pizzas, such as radicchio or porcini with Taleggio cheese, plus a smattering of other dishes, including specials like bone marrow pizzaiola. Antipasti (cured meats and cheeses), lasagna napoletana and pastry chef Bob Truitt's fior di latte (Italian soft-serve) round out the simple menu. The beverage selection also befits the casual vibe with both tap wine (house red and white) and beer (Birra Morini: a proprietary lager and stout from Wisconsin's Lakefront Brewery). White also brings more to the New York City pizza canon than his own pies—each table features a custom-designed tiered pizza rack that extends up from the center, freeing up precious surface real estate. 160 Second Ave at 10th St (212-432-1600, nicolettanyc.com)
The Mayflower Get creative cocktails—like the Hazard County: Scotch, egg white, lemon, maple syrup and rosemary—at this 25-seat drinkery, from the owner of Aita next door. The charming space, which is decorated with vintage Renaissance prints and a marble bar, also offers biodynamic Italian wines and draft beers (Lagunitas, Goose Island). 132 Greene Ave at Waverly Ave, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn (718-576-3584)
Noodies Slurp down street-style noodles at this 24-seat Thai joint. The menu features pad thai, pad si-ewe (wide noodles with chinese broccoli and egg) and ba-me (thin egg noodles with crabmeat, BBQ roasted pork, bok choy and crispy wontons), as well as small plates, such as cold tofu or rock shrimp with spicy mayo. 830 Ninth Ave between 54th and 55th Sts (646-669-7828)
The Ploughman South Slope brewhounds can stock up on craft beers at this neighborhood specialty food store. Ten draft lines dispense beers like Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA and Ommegang Hennepin, and more than 30 suds are available by the bottle. Shoppers can also choose from artisanal products, including 75 cheeses (Jasper Hill Farm Weybridge, Cabot Clothbound Cheddar), Pain D'Avignon breads and 20 varieties of cured meats. The lunch special—inspired by the shop's namesake British pub meal, a ploughman's lunch—features a daily-changing selection of bread, cheese, charcuterie and pickles, along with a 16-ounce beer. On Saturdays from 4 to 7pm, boost your hops IQ with free tastings at the shop. 438 Seventh Ave between 14th and 15th Sts, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-369-7595, theploughmanbklyn.com)
Purple Ginger A hodgepodge of Asian dishes—Thai-style spicy lemongrass chicken, Japanese ramen and Chinese lo mein—are on the menu at this petite East Village eatery. 507 E 6th St between Aves A and Ave B (212-228-9688, purplegingeravea.com)
Sweet and Shiny This bakery-boutique hybrid features sweet treats and local crafts. Snack on lychee coconut cupcakes or green-tea scoops from Chinatown Ice Cream Factory while perusing local artists' wares, such as colorful glass pendant earrings, furniture and tableware. 214 Knickerbocker Ave at Troutman St, Bushwick, Brooklyn (347-305-3860, sweetandshiny.com)
Yemen Café This outpost of the Atlantic Avenue original—a family-run Brooklyn stalwart since 1986—serves Yemeni classics, like hummus, fassolia (white kidney beans with onions and tomato on bread) and haneez (slow-cooked roasted lamb with a mix of vegetables and rice). 7130 Fifth Ave between Ovington Ave and 72nd St, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (718-745-8000)
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Cool down with ice cream, sundaes, pops and more frozen treats this summer