1) Tribeca: Only the newspaper covering the window (above) gives a hint that Tribeca's Balthazar-to-be, Cercle Rouge, is not yet open for business. Next week is the word.
2) Murray Hill: Sad teardown news. Reports an Eater correspondent, "At 411 Third Ave, corner of 29th Street, the former Sams Noodle Shop?the best and cheapest Chinese food you could get in Murray Hill?was recently torn down. Rumor has it that the guys who run Mercury Bar and Twelve Bar (two very "hot" Murray Hill nightspots), bought the place and are going to make it a three-story bar/lounge/restaurant. Maybe something like the Libation of Murray Hill?
3) Fort Greene: The Rice empire, with toeholds in Nolita and Dumbo, continues its expansion. It's opening a branch on DeKalb and Cumberland/Washington Park in Fort Greene. Notes an Eater spy, "The identifying sign was painted in late August. The place, where Tommy's Blue Corner used to be, had been empty for 5-6 months. I called the Mott Street Rice to confirm, but didn't ask when it would be open. I'm excited! That place is delicious!" Indeed so.
4) East Village: A special Eater correspondent reports: "Drink Me Cafe on 6th Street between Avenues B & C (quintessential New York coffee shop that everyone wants around the corner from their apartment) has been bought out by Mario Batali & Co. It'll be turned into a tapas-serving wine bar at the end of September. Lots of neighborhood-ly people are pissed/distraught."
Plywood in your neighborhood? Eater wants to hear about it.
