1) Upper West Side: West Side Rag reports on the opening of Quick and Quality Sandwich which serves Banh Mi sandwiches. The menu also has calamari, caesar salads, and Buffalo wings. There are no tables and just a small amount of counter space, so this is geared more for takeout. Status: Certified Open; 254 West 108th Street, 212-510-8725.
2) Midtown: Midtown Lunch brings word that Australian meat pie chain Pie Face is now open. They are serving up both sweet and savory pies, as well as breakfast and lunch options. Pie Face is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In honor of Australian Day, they are giving away a free mini pie or coffee to anyone who comes in the store today. Status: Certified Open; 1691 Broadway between 53rd and 54th, 212-247-906.
3) East Harlem : Grub Street has the details on ABV, a new wine bar and restaurant from the team behind Earl's Beer and Cheese. They will be offering wine by the glass, the half-glass, the half-bottle and "by consumption" meaning you pay for whatever you drink. Status: Opening Friday; 1504 Lexington Avenue at 97th Street, 212-722-8959.
4) Greenwich Village: Boston-based taco shop Dorado Tacos, which specializes in "Baja California-style fish & shrimp tacos, and real quesadillas" is now open. Grub Street hears that they're going to serve breakfast tacos on the weekends.Status: Certified Open; 28 E. 12th Street, 212-627-0900.
5) Midtown: Zagat learns that a second location of Victorian-themed restaurant Lillie's is now open in the Theater District. Status: Certified Open; 249 West 49th Street, 212-957-4530.
6) Prospect Heights: Diner's Journal reports on 606 R&D a new restaurant from two former City Bakery chefs. The 30 seat restaurant will serve new American fare, and the space will have a retail counter selling things like breads, meats, and cheese. They eventually plan to be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Status: Opening Saturday January 28th; 606 Vanderbilt Avenue, Prospect Heights, 718-230-0125.
7) Upper West Side: LA coffee giant The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is opening a third Manhattan shop today. The new location features full table service and a large food menu. In the spring, an outdoor patio and sidewalk seating will also be open. Status: Certified Open; 392 Columbus Avenue.
8) Upper West Side: West Side Rag brings news of the opening of the second location of Spring Natural Kitchen. The menu that features many vegetarian and vegan option, but they also serve meat dishes like a grass-fed hanger steak. The restaurant is now open for lunch and dinner and will begin delivery on Wednesday. Status: Certified Open; 474 Columbus Avenue between 82nd and 83rd, 646-596-7434.
9) Midtown East: Pampano Botaneria is a tapas bar opening in the newly re-designed street level bar of Pampano. Botaneria serves contemporary Mexican small plates, with sangrias, and cocktails. The bar also offers a wide variety of tequilas and mescals. Status: Certified Open; 209 East 49th Street, 212-751-4545.
-Sarah Rose
[Photo: Midtown Lunch]