Neighborhood Watch

The Secret Lounge Under Merkato 55; New Amsterdam Market Represents

Clinton Hill: Bar Olivino has opened at 899 Fulton Street, making it a good stop for a glass of wine when you get off the C train. Plus, they’ve been giving away cheese plates while they ready a larger menu. [Clinton Hill Blog]
East Village: Arlo and Esme seems to have found a winning formula: “Come during the day and you’ll savor strong coffee and plenty of space to sprawl out; after dark, you’ll sip expertly prepared classic cocktails and dance until the wee hours.” Though some nights are crazy fun, others can be strangely slow. [Bottomless Dish/Citysearch]
Flushing: Max & Mina’s Ice Cream, at 7126 Main Street, is known for eccentric flavors like lox, potato-chip fudge, and beer and nuts.
Greenpoint: Lomzynianka is the Polish pick in this list of the nabe’s diverse, cheap restaurants. [NYT]
Meatpacking District: The former Sascha space at 55 Gansevoort is now home to Merkato 55, but one of the restaurant’s club-inclined partners just opened a secret lounge downstairs called Bijou. [Down by the Hipster]
South Street Seaport: Sunday’s New Amsterdam Market featured delicious, artisanal bites like “pistachio rhubarb bread from Bouchon Bakery, birch beer from Heartland Brewery, sauerkraut sourdough-esque bread from AQ Cafe, sweet basil ice cream from The Bent Spoon,” and frozen rhubarb pops from a start-up called People’s Popsicle. [Serious Eats]
Tribeca: The opening of Le Pain Quotidien on West Broadway at Murray Street seems imminent; pastries and bread have been put on display, but staff was still in training on Saturday. [Grub Street]
West Village: The new Corrado Bread shop on Christopher Street opens July 1. [Grub Street]

The Secret Lounge Under Merkato 55; New Amsterdam Market Represents