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[title]Bar Chevere Sip wine and nibble on small plates at this Mediterranean-influenced wine and tapas bar. The 36-seat drinkery—featuring exposed brick and crystal chandeliers—offers bites like steamed mussels, pizzas and meze plates (olives, hummus, falafel). 181 Essex St between E Houston and Stanton Sts (212-477-1550)
Beloved Get craft cocktails at this handsome Greenpoint drinkery, appointed with a stately mahogany wood bar, gunmetal-black pressed-tin ceiling and Victorian-style patterned wallpaper. The drinks list features creative tipples like the Backhand (rye, coffee liqueur, Campari) and the That's My Word (gin, St.-Germain, yellow Chartreuse, lime). But beer hounds can tilt back a Sixpoint Righteous Rye, Brooklyn Summer Ale or can of Tecate. 674 Manhattan Ave between Bedford and Norman Aves, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (no phone yet)
Beer Boutique Williamsburg brewhounds can fill their growler from ten lines (Ommegang Pale Ale, Founders Centennial IPA) at this wood-paneled suds shop. Antique lamps light the 120-bottle selection. Bonus: The 25-ounce reusable growlers are free (no deposit required). 497 Union Ave at Meeker Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-599-0020)
Claw The Chelsea seafood restaurant brings its Hamptons-inspired lobster rolls to Hell's Kitchen with this 25-seat spot, decorated with coral-and-white walls, wicker ceiling fans and upholstered banquettes. Chef-owner Joseph Miller (Daniel) plugs Maine lobster into mac and cheese, bisque and the signature Long Island–style rolls, made with the butter-poached crustacean, a light dressing of mayo, chives and a toasted potato bun. Diners can also choose dishes like crab cakes, corn chowder and a grilled chicken sandwich. 744 Ninth Ave at 50th St (212-581-8400)
Dizzy's on 5th This spin-off of the homespun original, a Park Slope standby since 1998, offers the same American comfort-food menu of mac and cheese, biscuits with gravy and corned beef hash. Retro furnishings—red diner chairs, pendant lamps, a black-and-white-tiled floor—outfit the 50-seat space. 230 Fifth Ave at President St, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-230-5551)
e. e. cookies Sate your sweet tooth at this 40-seat bakeshop in the back of kiddie lit shop Books of Wonder. Old-fashioned cookies (like mint chocolate chunk), brownies (such as triple chocolate espresso) and whoopie pies (including the classic black and white) make up the sugary menu, from accountant-turned-baker Kori Stanton. Books of Wonder Café, 18 W 18th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (646-245-7408)
FPB Master pastry chef Francois Payard opens the third location of his French pâtisserie, serving croissants, cakes and breads. The 24-seat shop also offers light lunch fare, including sandwiches, salads and soups. 1775 Broadway between 57th and 58th Sts (no phone yet)
HBH Gourmet Sandwiches Get pastrami on marble rye or pulled pork with kimchi cole slaw on a seeded roll at this Brooklyn cafe. The 30-seat spot, which features a mosaic-tiled bar, bakes all its bread and smokes its own meats in house. 407 Smith St between 3rd and 4th Pls, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (347-689-9478)
Pizza Luca This roving pizzeria takes food trucks to the next level with a tricked-out, royal-blue 1952 Chevy. FCI grad Dean Medico pulls pies from the wood-burning oven on its flatbed. Choose from four traditional varieties—marinara, Margherita, bianca and filetti (fresh tomato, garlic, buffalo mozzarella)—all made with imported ingredients like DOP San Marzano tomatoes, Trapani sea salt and Caputo 00 flour. For locations, visit twitter.com/pizzalucanyc (203-219-5702)
Sugar Shop More than 500 candies, like saltwater taffy and Charleston Chews, line the walls of this bright sweetshop. Locavore sugar fiends can beeline for the "Made in Brooklyn" table, which features Mast Brothers Chocolate, Brooklyn Hard Candy and Betsy's Buns sea salt caramels. 254 Baltic St between Clinton and Court Sts, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn (718-576-3591)
Sweetleaf Coffee ace Rich Nieto brings the game-changing La Marzocco Strada EP, the Porsche of espresso machines, to his first Brooklyn outpost. Most machines blast out highly pressurized water automatically, but this sleek gadget features an "EP"—a state-of-the-art electronic paddle, similar to a handheld gas pedal, that allows baristas to adjust the pressure as they pull a shot, resulting in a smoother, fuller espresso. While the Strada EP offers more control, it's much harder to master, and Nieto spent a few hair-pulling months tinkering with it. He thinks the effort is worth it: Baristas can tailor the pressure, as well as the temperature, to every single coffee, whether it's a delicate, floral variety or a robust, chocolaty brew. Brooklynite bean nerds can also get a cup of joe from the Hario V60 pour-over bar, or pick up top-notch tools (Bartaza Virtuoso grinders, press pots) and java from roasters like Ritual and Stumptown. But it's not all about serious coffee geekery: The laid-back, 30-seat spot also features a foosball table, comfy chairs and a communal wood table, plus home-baked goodies, like ham-and-cheese croissants and carrot cake. 135 Kent Ave at North 6th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (no phone yet)