Neighborhood Watch

Free Cocktails at Nuela; Tree Hosts ‘Speed Plating’ for Singles

Carroll Gardens: Catering company Crave will expand their premises to include a wine bar; it’s likely to open in September. [Brownstoner]
Cobble Hill: An unnamed Mediterranean restaurant replaces former Mexican spot El Pitayo at 213 Smith Street [Brownstoner]
East Village: Visit Tree for “Speed Plating,” a food-oriented speed-dating event, on August 17. Chef Danny Boome will serve four courses to paired singles, with dining partners rotating after each twenty-minute course. [Grub Street]
Flatiron: To celebrate the restaurant’s liquor license, diners at Nuela receive a complimentary Perucho cocktail tonight and tomorrow. [Zagat Buzz]

Greenpoint: Veronica People’s Club, a restaurant from the owners of East Village bar Heathers, is open at 105 Franklin Street. The former Polish punk-rock club serves coffee and pastries by day and tamales and drinks by night; Sunday suppers feature a rotation of guest chefs. [Brownstoner]
Lower East Side: Opera singer and ‘Inoteca employee Stephen Lavonier will perform for diners during a special dinner on August 3 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The $50 prix fixe includes wine; 212-614-0473 for reservations. [Zagat Buzz]
West Village: Each week in August, August features a menu inspired by a different historical culinary figure including Catherine De Medici, Marie-Antoine Careme, Escoffier, and contemporary chefs Juan Mari Arzak and Marco Pierre White. The a la carte dishes will be available alongside the regular menu. [Grub Street]

Free Cocktails at Nuela; Tree Hosts ‘Speed Plating’ for Singles