French baker, Hervé Poussot, was forced to close his Dumbo bakery, Almondine, after Hurricane Sandy destroyed all the equipment in the basement’s production kitchen. Almondine, named Best Bakery by the Voice in 2008, finally reopened yesterday. The next few days will be “a sort of soft launch,” says Poussot, with limited production. 85 Water St Brooklyn
Mira Sushi and Izakaya opened last week. Owen Wu of Nobu 57 oversees the sushi bar, while Brian Tsao of Telepan is at the helm in the kitchen. The menu is inspired by street food and traditional Japanese izakayas. A sloppy joe consists of kurobuta pork on a potato bun slathered in sour mustard. Other dishes from the sushi bar include appetizers like spicy tuna pizza. 46 W. 22nd St.
Sweetleaf, the coffee shop with locations in Long Island City and Williamsburg, is opening its third location in partnership with Richie Boccato of Dutch Kills. The new outpost, also in Long Island City, will serve coffee in the daytime and booze in the evening — and combine the two in coffee cocktails. The bar had a soft opening on Monday night and will be open to the public tonight. 46-15 Center Blvd., Long Island City
Grape Vine opened on Monday in the Jade Hotel in Greenwich Village. The menu features an extensive raw bar, steak tartare, grilled duck breast, and classic “American” fare like a Cobb salad and bacon cheeseburgers. Dishes will change seasonally, and right now some of the ingredients come straight from Union Square Market. 52 E. 13th St.
Gabriel Stulman and partner Tien Ho, formerly of Má Pêche, opened Montmartre in Chelsea last week. The French-American bistro serves chicken-liver croustillant with scallions and blond miso, cassoulet, and braised short ribs. Pop art hangs on the walls and newspapers are stored on scrolls for guests’ perusal. 158 8th Avenue
The plywood has come down around the entrance to East 12th Osteria, and a sign on the door reads, “East 12th Osteria will open next week Wednesday, March 6.” Weekend brunch will start at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Robert Deiaco, the former executive chef at Armani Ristorante, owns this Northern Italian restaurant, and according to Flo Fab, will serve truffles and foie gras. 197 First Ave.
Ippin Sushi and Noodle Bar had a grand opening on March 1. The East Village restaurant is serving octopus, yellowtail, and shrimp ceviche, eight different types of ramen, and pork buns. To set it apart from other similar spots in the area, a samurai coat of arms guards the door. 141 First Ave.
Slide is now open in the West Village. Expect sliders, (boozy) milkshakes and cannoli from British restaurateur Madison Cowan. Specialties include a fried-chicken-and-cheddar waffle slider, a BBQ pork-belly option with fried brussels sprouts, and cherry-chocolate-chunk cannoli. 174 Bleecker St.
