Joe Pro Shop, La Vara, Ribalta, and More Certified Open

1) Chelsea: Earlier this week, the Joe mini-chain opened a new location on West 21st Street, which they're calling the Pro Shop & Headquarters. The space feature a small coffee bar stocked with beans from a handful of respected roasters from across the country, as well as a retail space with professional gear and brewing equipment, and beans for purchase. This is a place to buy grinders, tampers, shot glasses, steaming pitchers, etc. Status: Certified Open; 131 West 21st Street.

2) West Village: Grub Street reports that Daniel Mancini has opened his new spot Meatball Obsession. The all-natural meatballs can be ordered at a walk-up window, served either in a cup with a side of dipping bread or in a ciabatta bread pocket. Status: Certified Open; 510 Avenue of the Americas, (212) 262-8646.

3) Union Square: Flo Fab learns that the folks behind Taboon in Hell's Kitchen have opened up a take-out only version of their Mediterranean restaurant named Taboonette. The new spot offers breakfast pitas and flatbreads stuffed with a variety of vegetables and meats. Status: Certified Open; 30 East 13th Street, (212) 510-7881

4) West Village: DNA Info reports that the German and bar Landbrot opened its first location in Manhattan over the weekend with a second spot expected to open soon on the LES. The menu changes from breakfast to lunch to happy hour, but diners can expect to find German pastries, bread, pretzels, sausages, and German beers. Status: Certified Open; 137 7th Avenue South, (212) 343-7011.

5) Cobble Hill: Pardon Me for Asking reports that Alex Raij and Eder Montero, the duo behind Txikito and El Quinto Pino, have opened the doors to their new Brooklyn restaurant La Vara. Spanish tapas as well as larger dishes are available, all showcasing the influence the Moors and Jews had on the region's cuisine. Status: Certified Open; 268 Clinton Street, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, (718) 422-0065.

6) Times Square: The Tryp Hotel in Times Square now has a tapas restaurant located on its ground floor. The Gastro Bar at 35th offers an informal lunch and dinner menu featuring Spanish tapas, flatbreads loaded with things like vegetables, chorizo, and cheese, and salads. The new spot is also open for breakfast. Status: Certified Open; 345 West 35th Street; (646) 200-8857.

7) Union Square: A new Neapolitan pizzeria is now open on East 12th Street called Ribalta. The pizzaiolo, Massimiliano Crocetti, hails from Florence, where he studied under legendary pizza maker Graziano Bertuzzo. The space features three different pizza ovens, to make three different styles of pizza, plus a bar with a full selection of beer, wine, cocktails, and grappa. Check out the menu here. Status: Certified Open; 48 East 12th Street, 212-­?777-­?7781.
[Photo: Joe Coffee/Twitter]
— Claire Nugent.