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1) East Village: Grub Street learns that the long-awaited Cooper Square Hotel has finally opened its second floor bar and lounge, although Table 8 is still a ways out: “The Cooper Square Hotel tells us that its second-floor bar and lounge is now serving, starting at 6 p.m. each night (it closes around 11 p.m., or later if there’s a crowd). There’s a full bar, a fireplace, and when the weather warms, a back garden, but no food — for that you’ll have to wait for Govind Armstrong’s Table 8 (in early May, we’re told).” Status: Certified Open. 25 Cooper Square; 212-475-5700. [GS]
2) Midtown East: UrbanDaddy has the scoop on a new Belgian-themed bar called BXL East, the east side sibling to the west side original. They write: “Oh, and if you feel like cheating on your Chimay with a little nourishment, they're making seven different types of mussels, from Moroccan and Thai-style mollusks, to one flavored with wheat beer (you just can't get enough). If you can't decide on a flavor, show up on Sunday or Monday for $20 all-you-can-eat mussel nights, which also happen to come with a Stella.” Status: Certified Open. 210 E. 51st Street; 212-888-7782. [UD]
3) Greenwich Village: And finally, after talking to the cleaning crew outside, an Eater operative reports that a new Qdoba is opening today on 6th Avenue and 8th Street, and sends a pic. Status: Signs Point to Open. 404 6th Avenue; phone unknown. [~E~]