Bistro Vendome Opening Monday; Ninth Ward This Spring

CASUAL RACISM— This month, in honor of Black History month, NBC's Cafeteria is serving fried chicken, black eyed peas, collard greens, cornbread, and soda. Or they were until questlove twittered a pic of the signage and they took it down. [Vulture]

EAST VILLAGE— The owner of Shoolbred's in the East Village is opening a New Orleans style bar called 9th Ward across the street at 180 2nd Ave.: "the new place will have an 1890s' New Orleans feel, with absinthe drips and classic cocktails, much like Laffite's or the Old Absinthe House on Bourbon Street. Some food -- most likely, Cajun standards -- will be served." [FitR]

MIDTOWN EAST— Flo Fab reports that Bistro Vendôme, a restaurant that has been delayed for half a year, is opening Monday in the old March and Nish space: "The menu of Mr. Petiteau and his chef de cuisine, Charles Le Tous, features snails, sole meuniere, cassoulet and, true to form, assorted mussel dishes. The three-level space has been done with an unmistakable Gallic touch, and there is a warm weather terrace area to open in another season." And this is new. Fabricant even includes a pdf of the menu. [Diner's Journal]

NOLITA— When Nur Khan and Paul Sevigny soft open their re-do of Civetta next week for Fashion Week, it will be called Kenmare. Vogue has a rendering. [GS]