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— The Lower East Side location of Speedy Romeo has doubled in size, from 50 to 110 seats at 63 Clinton St., a move that’s been in the works for some time. To mark the expansion, chef-owner Justin Bazdarich and partner Todd Feldman are introducing two family-style menus to the restaurant today. Look for Caesar salad, mozzarella crostini, peppers stuffed with soppressata, prime rib, and porchetta on the Triple Crown menu, while the Fight for your Right to Pizza Pary menu includes pizza, wings in three combinations, Prosecco, pitchers of beer, juice, grilled orange wheels, and desserts like olive oil cake and a banana split —with sparklers. The Manhattan location opened in March.
— Villanelle opens today (15 E. 12th St.), a partnership between chef Nick Licata formerly at Degustation, Catherine Manning, and Andy Amer. The couple were fans of his cooking and reached out to him when they learned he had left. The 44-seat restaurant with a 10-seat marble bar offers dishes like braised octopus (below) with chard and tarragon as well as beef with polenta, mustard greens, and grated horseradish.
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— Restaurant and music venue The Green Room 42 opens Sunday on the fourth floor of the YOTEL at 570 Tenth Ave. It’s 120 seats, with banquettes against the walls and tables framing the stage. The hotel’s chef of Green Fig, Gabriel Israel runs the kitchen, with a menu of share plates like falafel bites and larger plates like a schnitzel sandwich. Tickets are $30 to $45 to events (including brunch regulars, The Skivvies, a duo that performs in just that.) There’s no food and drink minimum.
— Luke’s Lobster will reopen in Brooklyn Bridge Park on March 15, taking over the entire Smokestack Building it had shared with No. 7 Sub at 11 Water St. New this season, Luke’s has set up indoor seating and it’s serving beer and wine. This season, there’s also a branded spot for selfies at Luke’s Photo Walk, with backdrops of the Brooklyn Bridge and the skyline.
— During happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. at Salvation Burger (230 E. 51st St.), select beer, wine, and cocktails are $6 to $9, along with sliders, let’s call them pocket burgers, that run two for $10.
—Lower East Side coffee and wine bar, River Coyote (121 Ludlow St.) is launching a pour-over Sunday brunch with limited-edition pour overs at the bar from micro-lot Nobletree beans. Look for a menu of shakshuka, coffee-rubbed steak and eggs, and a Jewish take on eggs Benedict with latkes, smoked salmon, poached eggs and Hollandaise.
— Last up, a refresher on the nine rules for brewing coffee at home.