1) East Village: As reported earlier in the week, East Village staple Veselka will be expanding one storefront to the East on 9th Street. Here's a shot of what will be there new space. [PLYWOOD]
2) LES LEV: The PR behind the new project in the old Julep space, writes in with an update: "Attached is the first look at Carlton Varney's build out of Ella. This September owners Josh Boyd, Darren Rubell and Jordan Boyd (owners of Plan B and Gallery Bar) launch what they call the LEV's (Lower East Village) first piano bar and cocktail lounge....Varney designed the late Joan Crawford's homes and dedicates the space to her." [PLYWOOD]
3) East Village: Some new intel on a Japanese place going in on the northern stretches of Ave B, from a tipster: "We saw some plywood action going on on Ave B b/w 11th and 12th. Looks like it's going to be a Japanese restaurant (used to be a clothing store called Suzette Sundae's...she lost her lease because it sky-rocketed). The notice says they have a beer & wine license, no outdoor space." [PLYWOOD]
4) Chinatown: A Chinatown resident fills us in on the slow progress at Apotheke: "My evening dog walk often takes me past the location of what is sure to be the douchebaggy-est enterprise that Chinatown has ever witnessed...'singapore-style' cocktail establishment on doyers...There seems to be extremely little progress, at least FOH...construction materials are strewn about a partially finished area, and what appears to be a bar on the back wall has had liquor bottles on display, as if the place were just about to open, for the past month and a half or so. The place is way smaller than one would expect (guesstimating 20x14 in its entirety)...the biggest reason many people i know live in chinatown is precisely because it lacks a place like this." [PLYWOOD]
5) Soho: Yet another new yogurt spot. This one, called Yogurito & Coffee Beans, is going in on Spring between 6th Ave and Sullivan, next to Fiamma. [PLYWOOD]
6) Upper West Side: And someone sends in the latest shots from Zak Pelaccio's newest baby, the Upper West Side Fatty Crab, opening on Broadway between 76th and 77th. [PLYWOOD]