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1) Hell's Kitchen: Life With Food and Drink has the details on the new Donna Bell's Bake Shop. The Southern-tinged menu features breakfast pastries, cakes, cookies, puddings and other sweets, and some savory stuff (like their Chicken-n-Flapjack Biscuit with BBQ “Slather Sauce”). Status: Certified open; 301 West 49th Street, (212) 582-8463.
2) East Village: Reps from The Beagle, a new American restaurant in the old Orologio space, bring word that they are now open. Proprietor Matthew Piacentini is also the co-owner of Clyde Common, the popular eatery in the Ace Hotel in Portland, OR. The chef is Garrett Eagleton, a vet of that restaurant as well as PDX hot spots Le Pigeon and Lincoln. There is an extensive cocktail list (complete with fancy ice), and the menu features large plates ranging from $19-26, and small plates for $15 or under. Status: Certified open; 162 Avenue A, (212) 228-6900.
3) Midtown: Midtown Lunch reports that the Red Hook Lobster Pound Truck hit the streets earlier today. They're serving their lobster rolls for $16, shrimp rolls for $8.50, and some special combo deals for $18 and $11. Robicelli's cupcakes are on the way, and they promise "fast-moving lines." Follow them on Twitter here. Status: Certified Open; roving.
4) Little Italy: Bowery Boogie learns that La Cremeria, a new specialty gelato store in the old Cinema Nolita space, is now open. All ingredients are sourced from Italy, and owner Martino Caciagli claims his gelato is a native recipe that tastes creamier than the nearby competition. Status: Certified open; 178 Mulberry Street.
5) Upper East Side: Sprinkles Cupcakes, who claims to be the first cupcake-only bakery in the world, are opening their first NYC outpost tomorrow, right near Bloomingdales. They'll feature over 50 flavors, including red velvet, banana and chai latte. They've also gotten the OK from the MLB to feature Mets and Yankees' logos. Status: Opening tomorrow at 9AM-9PM; 780 Lexington Avenue, (212) 207-8375.
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—Jackie Goldstein