Bruins Coffee Channels a 1990's Cafe; Babu Ji's Got Bollywood on the Walls

MIDTOWN SOUTH — The curiously large Bruins Coffee opened about a month ago serving quinoa bowls, omelets, and salads. There's a ping pong table and 90's style bean bag chair seating. Status: Certified open. 1250 Broadway.

CLINTON HILL — Mekelburg's is grocery store meets restaurant. Upfront there's a grocery and deli with porchetta, bread from Mazzola's, chocolate from Mast Brothers and the like, says Brownstoner. In the back, there's a bar with small plates and 16 craft beers, including some brew from Other Half Brewing. There's also a roomy backyard with picnic table seating for 40. The team is still getting some things in order. Status: Soft open. 293 Grand Avenue.

Courtesy of Babu Ji

EAST VILLAGE — Aussie import Babu Ji opened last week, complete with Hindi proverbs, photos of India, and Bollywood films projected on the walls. Owners Jennifer and Jessi Singh, who own Babu Ji in Melbourne, specialize in farm-to-table north Indian fare. The vibe is relaxed: Be prepared to fetch your own beer out of the big glass door refrigerator. Status: Certified open. 175 Avenue B.

Courtesy of Bareburger

COLUMBUS CIRCLE — Popular mini-chain Bareburger is bringing its organic burgers to the neighborhood today. To go with them, there's beer and wine, as well as some house cocktails like the breuckelen cup (gin, mint, lime, cucumber, pastiche, and sea salt) and the fig & pig (bourbon, lemon, fig jam, agave, and country bacon). Status: Certified open. 313 West 57th Street.

UPPER WEST SIDE — West End Hall will tap its 20 kegs tonight, reports the Post. The bar also has 30 beers by the bottle available and a selection of "international sausages" including several hot dogs, Moroccan merguez, and chicken bratwurst. Status: Certified open. 2756 Broadway.

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Co-owner Jose Reyes decided the neighborhood could really use a wine bar, so he opened Kazza last month, reports DNAinfo. There are 25 wines on the menu, along with some beer and sangria. To go with the drinks, there are some small cheese plates and things like mushroom empanadas. Status: Certified open. 708 West 177th Street.

HELL'S KITCHEN — Sisters Aya Tatsushiro and Tomomi Tatsushiro debuted their Japanese retail store, snack shop, and restaurant Mocu-Mocu (pronounced Mokoo-Mokoo) last week. Here, Japanese pancakes okonomiyaki are topped with chicken, pork, belly, veggies, and coconut shrimp. There's also an edamame soup on the menu, along with shishito peppers, crispy pork belly with pickled jicama, and wings. Status: Certified open. 746 10th Avenue, 212-765-0197.

Courtesy of Bisou Ciao

GREENWICH VILLAGE — Macaron shop Bisou Ciao recently took over the space next door to open its first full-blown pastry shop, Bisou Ciao Patisserie. There are eclairs and pretty little tarts topped with raspberries, oh, and La Colombe Coffee. Status: Certified open. 233 Bleecker Street.