Desi Shack, Barboncino, Pulqueria, More Certified Open

1) Midtown: Midtown Lunch announces the opening of Desi Shack a new restaurant that will be serving a mix of Indian and Pakistani food. One Midtown Lunch reader called it an "Indian Chipotle". The menu has a variety of options, including skewers of grilled meats, salads, rice bowls, paratha and vegetarian options. Status: Certified Open; 331 Lexington Avenue at 39th Street, 212-867-3374.

2) Chinatown: The sibling team behind the cocktail club Apothéke have opened Pulqueria, a Mexican restaurant and bar. Pulqueria is located next door to Apothéke and will feature many innovative and strong cocktails. Status: Certified Open; 11 Doyers, 212-227-3099.

3) Greenpoint: Here’s Greenpoint excitedly reports on Lollipop, the first Vietnamese restaurant to open in the neighborhood. The sandwich shop will be offering pho, Vietnamese sandwiches and coffee, bubbly tea, and an assortment of delicious appetizers! Status: Certified Open; 685 Manhattan Avenue.

4) Upper West Side: Time Out dishes on the newest location of the vegan fast food restaurant Blossom du Jour II. The menu features many vegetarian comfort foods such as vegetable pot pies, mac and cheese and hearty sandwiches, which makes its opening perfectly timed with the arrival of cooler temperatures. Status: Certified Open; 165 Amsterdam Ave, 212-799-9010.

5) Prospect Heights: Time Out gives the scoop on Barboncino, a new Italian restaurant from Indie filmmaker Ron Brown and Paulie Gee’s alum Jon Greenberg. The duo hope to bring together their combined experience to create simple and delicious Italian fare. Status: Opened Wednesday; 781 Franklin Avenue, 718-483-8834.

6) Chelsea: Zagat gets the scoop on Ventanas, a new tapas restaurant from the people behind Son Cubano. No word on the menu yet, but be assured sangria will figure prominently in your dining experience at this new Spanish spot. Status: Certified Open; 100 10th Avenue, 212-366-1640.

7) Downtown Brooklyn: Time Out notes the opening of Sottocasa, a Neapolitan pizzeria from Luca Arrigoni who was formerly at Kesté. This restaurant boasts a wood-fired brick Acunto oven that Luca brought over from Italy. He also traveled to Italy to get many of the ingredients that will go into his pies. Status: Certified Open; 298 Atlantic Ave., 718-852-8758.
—Sarah Rose