Opening Report: Eli Zabar Opens Eli's Essentials; Friedman's Lunch Lands in Hell's Kitchen

Upper East Side: Eli Zabar opened grab-and go-spot Eli's Essentials last week. There are pre-made pastas and entrees, along with cookies named for neighborhood private schools like Spence and Nightingale. This spring, the space will turn into a wine bar and restaurant in the evenings. Status: Certified open. 1270 Madison Avenue.

Courtesy of Friedman's Lunch

Hell's Kitchen: Friedman's Lunch opened its newest outpost on the way west side last week. The menu ranges from matzo ball soup to fish tacos, and an Asian chop salad. Status: Certified open. 450 10th Avenue.

East Village: Stand Coffee is now operating in the early hours (7-11 a.m.) at Eddie Huang's Baohaus. The cafe is serving Grumpy coffee from Greenpoint and testing out the idea of using restaurants or bars, which don't open until later in the day, as coffee shops, notes EV Grieve. Status: Certified open. 238 East 14th Street.

Brooklyn Heights: Irish pub Eamonn's, which shuttered in 2012 after 17 years in business, has risen from the dead. The bar recently reopened down the street in the newly vacated Taperia space. "Eamonn's was special, it had a lot of great chemistry," co-owner Terry Traynor told the Brooklyn Heights Blog. "Will it be the same? Probably not, but we can try." Status: Certified open. 132 Montague

Midtown: Sweets shop Sugar and Plumm opened a small cafe on the first floor of toy landmark FAO Schwartz, reports DNAinfo. The outpost offers savory and sweet waffles, which come with toppings salted caramel, Nutella, or the classic butter and sugar. There's also tea and coffee, and plans are in place for a salad menu to debut in a few weeks. The mini-chain will also continue to operate its tiny kiosk on the second floor. Status: Certified open. 767 Fifth Avenue.