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1) East Village: According to EV Grieve, St. Mark's Place bar-saloon East Village Social has opened. The first solo project from veteran bartender Dee Dee Patton, formerly of the Niagara and Bowery Electric, features 10 beers on tap as well as seasonal drinks like sangria, and the bar menu offers Southern-influenced comfort food like a pulled pork sandwich with applesauce. Status: Certified Open; 126 St. Mark's Place, 212-473-1620.
2) Upper West Side: Michelin-starred Irish chef and Peacock Alley alum Conrad Gallagher has opened The Purple Fig in the former All State Cafe space, FloFab reports. The menu blends traditional comfort food with more contemporary elements. The decor reflects the restaurant's namesake color. Status: Certified Open; 250 West 72nd Street, 212-712-9823.
3) Lower East Side: Bowery Boogie sends word that Australian-American bar and restaurant Dudley's is open for business, serving dinner every night until 2 a.m. in the space that formerly housed Little Giant. The restaurant, owned by Nick Mathers of Ruby's, serves a straightforward menu, with things like burgers and pastas. Status: Certified Open; 85 Orchard Street.
4) Kips Bay: FloFab also reports that Indian restaurateur Shiva Natarajan has opened Chote Nawab, the latest in his growing empire of restaurants throughout Manhattan, Westchester, and Connecticut. Featuring largely kebabs and rice dishes, Chote Nawab joins three other Natarajan restaurants on its Kips Bay block. Status: Certified Open; 115 Lexington Avenue, 212-679-4603.
5) Midtown: Midtown lunch checks out new Japanese food truck Okadaman. The truck, owned by Okada Yasuhiko, specializes in okonomiyaki, a kind of scallion pancake, and takoyaki, or fried octopus. Status: Certified Open;okadamannyc.com.
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— Alison Herman