Thursday Opening Report: Onda, Union Prime, Marco Polo, Zero Latitude Certified Open, Trigo Tomorrow

FiDi's newly opened Onda

1) Tribeca: Flo Fab listed a slew of openings in yesterday’s Times including Trigo, Mediterranean eatery and fall tracking alum. She writes: “In this Mediterranean place, opening for breakfast and dinner on Jan. 16, dishes like chickpea-crusted mackerel, monkfish escabeche and guinea hen with chestnuts anchor a menu that also offers plates of cured meats and cheeses. Status: Not open. Opening tomorrow. 268 West Broadway; 212-925-1600. [NYT]

2) Union Square: Also mentioned in the Times is Andrew Silverman’s Union Prime, which soft-opened in December but opens officially today. Here’s the lowdown on Chef Brady Duhame’s meaty menu from PR: “Modern creations of classic American steakhouse fare are merged with New York City's stylish sushi, sashimi, and raw marinated seafood...UNION PRIME's signature, the Union Ten, is a hand-carved beef tenderloin, served traditionally, with a tower of sautéed spinach and whipped potatoes..” Status: Certified Open. 9 East 16th Street; 212-675-4700. [NYT]

3) FiDi: Various media sources and PR have all informed us on the opening of Onda. The Times has it opening today and writes: “Raymond Mohan, who was the chef and owner of Plantain in Midtown, is taking his South American style to the South Street Seaport, where he will serve ceviche, chicken curry empanadas, Lima-style chicken and yucca fries. It opens Jan. 15.” Status: Certified Open as of tonight. 229 Front Street; 212-513-0770. [NYT]

4) East Village: Flo Fab also reports on the opening of Marco Polo Café on St. Mark’s. She writes: “The name says it all, for this mix of Asian and Italian fare. And go ahead, chuckle at the very notion of moo goo gai panini (chicken, shiitake mushrooms, fontina and onions). It is owned by Stefano Magaddino, from Buffalo, and his wife, Huihui Magaddino, from China.” Status: Certified Open. 102 St. Marks Place; 212-228-8456. [NYT]

5) East Village: DBTH reports that a new taco joint called El Atazcon has opened in the East Village, in case you get a ‘hankerin’ for some tacos: “A lot of times, we get a hankerin'. We can't predict when it will happen, or what we will get a hankerin' for, but when we do, look out. If you ever get a hankerin' for Tacos and Sangria, we suggest you check out the recently opened El Atazcon on 1st Avenue at St. Marks. Are they culinary pioneers bringing together the best of Spanish and Mexican cuisine just for you? Probably more like they only have a wine and beer license so they can't give you a margarita.” Some early Chowhound reviews confirm it open. Status: Certified Open as of two weeks ago. 1st Avenue, just south of St. Mark’s Place, phone unknown. [DBTH]

6) Williamsburg: Metromix checks in with word on two Williamsburg openings, the first of which is an izakaya with a bizarre name: qoo Robata Bar. Here’s the scoop: “Williamsburg izakaya spot qoo Robata Bar grills up finger foods from land and sea, like teriyaki chicken wings, barbecued eel ball and more. For those with less hearty appetites, there's sushi and noodles as well. Status: Unknown. No answer to calls. 367 Metropolitan Avenue; 718-384-9493. [Metromix]

7) Williamsburg: And next up Metromix reports on the opening of Zero Latitude, a gimmicky fusion place?.well, just check out the write-up: “In the running for 2009's fusion gimmick of the year: Zero Latitude, a new South Williamsburg spot focusing on cuisines found around the equator. That would be Latin America, uh?Indonesia and?uh?Afica. Did we already stress the "fusion" part?” Status: Certified Open. 84 S. Fourth Street, Williamsburg; 718-384-8282. [Metromix]