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Rafele
Photograph: Caroline Voagen NelsGnocchi at Rafele

Restaurant and bar openings: May 3–9, 2012

New this week.

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Bishops + Barons Red velvet banquettes, crystal chandeliers and peacock-feather fans decorate this flashy East Village supper club, from nightlife vet Danny Kane (the Gates). Sink into a zebra-striped chair and choose from contemporary cocktails—like the Alexandria (pisco, chamomile liqueur, fig puree, lemon juice)—created by Dushan Zaric (Employees Only). The menu features gussied-up comfort food, including a braised pork-belly-topped 5 Points Burger and a Slow-Roasted B&T (Bridge & Tunnel) Tomato Salad with horseradish leaves and Jersey cheddar cheese. 243 E 14th St between Second and Third Aves (212-253-2123)

The Corner Social Eighteen taps dispense craft and commercial beers (Goose Island, Stella) at this Harlem drinkery, decorated with exposed brick, white subway tiles and a working steel fireplace. Boozers can also choose from more than 40 bottles (Hitachino, Peroni) and classic cocktails at the 20-foot-long reclaimed-wood bar. Settle into a tweed banquette or communal high-top for a full-fledged meal—the menu includes lobster mac and cheese, semolina-crusted branzino and buttermilk-fried oysters, all made by chef Jonathan Romans (Tribeca Grill, Southgate). 321 Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave) at 126th St (212-510-8552)

Hungry Ghost Prospect Heights brewhounds can relax over a cup of joe at this expansive café, from the owner of Prospect Perk up the street. Baristas pull shots of Stumptown espresso from a La Marzocco GB5 in the airy spot, which is outfitted with a dark-wood floor, pressed tin ceiling and plenty of elbow room. A full-fledged daytime menu offers quiches, sandwiches and homemade pastries made by baker Pete Solomita, formerly of Little Buddy Biscuit Company. 253 Flatbush Ave at Sixth Ave, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (718-483-8666)

Kimchi Grill Owner Phillip Lee gained a following for his Mexi-Korean eats with roving truck Kimchi Taco, before opening this brick-and-mortar spin-off in Prospect Heights. In addition to kimchi-spiked BBQ short-rib tacos, tofu-edamame falafel rice bowls and Kim-Cheesesteaks, this location will serve edamame guacamole, pork belly burritos, and chicken tostadas with Mexican and Korean spices. Grab one of the butcher-block tables in the 16-seat spot, which also features whitewashed brick and antique barn lights, or take your order to go. 766 Washington Ave between Park and Sterling Pls, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (718-360-1839)

The Liberty NYC This clubby 4,000-square-foot behemoth boasts a 34-foot-long black granite bar, weekend DJs and food served until 2am. Partygoers can throw back a draft beer (like Narragansett Light) or classic cocktail (including the Bronx) and chow down on comfort-food riffs, such as a Reuben-style hot dog, baked carbonara mac and cheese, and citrus-honey-glazed lamb ribs. 29 W 35th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-967-4000)

Max Bratwurst und Bier Swig from steins and feast on brats at this 40-seat German beer hall in Astoria. Six taps dispense Deutschland brews, including Radeberger Pilsner, Hofbräu Lager and Spaten Oktoberfest. Soccer fans can catch games from Germany's Bundesliga league while chowing down on currywurst, frikadelle (flattened, fried meatballs) or schnitzel. 4702 30th Ave at 47th St, Astoria, Queens (718-777-1635)

Rafele Naples-born Raffaele Ronca, formerly chef at Bellavitae and Palma, debuts his first solo project: a 70-seat, bi-level trattoria devoted to his Italian roots and adopted New York home. Ronca works local ingredients (Long Island fish, Ottomanelli grass-fed meats and produce from upstate's Blooming Hill Farm) into traditional antipasti, primi and secondi dishes. Take a seat at the Venetian-marble counter and watch him pull plates from a mammoth brick oven in the dining room, where terra-cotta floors and reclaimed wood outfit the space. The imported wood-burning hearth from Acunto, an esteemed Italian manufacturer since 1892, lends a smoky scent to most dishes on the menu, including a boneless roasted chicken accompanied by kale and ramps, a tomato-based zuppa de pesce and porchetta-style pork belly. Ronca also douses the wood with different spirits (brandy, grappa) to add an extra layer of flavor. Downstairs, a glass-enclosed wine cellar housing 70 European selections doubles as an intimate private dining room, with a 20-seat table crafted from old beams. 29 Seventh Ave South at Morton St (212-242-1999)

Ryu This Meatpacking izakaya, from Keeping Up with the Kardashians' Scott Disick, gets some food-world cred from Fatty Crew execs Rick Camac and his son Jesse. Downtown revelers can tuck into a late dinner of Japanese small plates—like rock shrimp tempura with a spicy yuzu mayo, hamachi tartare with rice cracker and grilled kobe short ribs with cucumber kimchi—before hitting the clubs. Get the party started with a few cocktails, such as Setting Sun (aperol, yuzu juice, sparkling sake, grapefruit zest, mint), created by Fatty Crew's beverage director, Adam Schuman. 46 Gansevoort St at Ninth Ave (212-776-1446)

Schmackary's Cookies Career changer Zachary Schmahl—who transformed himself into a food entrepreneur after losing his marketing job—built a successful online cookie business before opening this Hell's Kitchen bakeshop. Sweet tooths can choose from cookies in funky flavors, like red velvet, peanut-butter cup, and gluten-free sweet corn with cranberries and pecans. Also on the menu: sticky buns, milk shakes and granola-and-yogurt parfaits. 362 W 45th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves (646-801-9866)

Sensation Neo Shanghai Cuisine Shanghai natives Zhongxia Shen, Yuchi Zhang and Weichun Gao bring soup dumplings to Williamsburg with this candlelit 60-seat spot, decorated with vintage Shanghai posters and photos. Find two versions of the "juicy" dumplings (pork or pork and crab)—a neighborhood favorite of DFA's James Murphy. Diners can also choose from an extensive menu of Chinese specialties, including sliced chicken with garlic sauce, roasted BBQ pork ribs and hand-pulled noodles. 208 Grand St between Bedford and Driggs Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (347-335-0063)

Siro's of Manhattan This swank midtown spin-off pays homage to the original: trackside restaurant Siro's in Saratoga Springs. The bi-level space features a floor-to-ceiling horse-racing mural, glass chandeliers and velvet drapes. Dig into signature dishes, like a lobster-and-grilled-avocado salad with mango chutney and lavender crème fraîche; linguine with white clam sauce; and barbecued king salmon with soba noodles and shiitake mushrooms in a lemongrass broth. 885 Second Ave between 47th and 48th Sts (212-486-6400)

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