Openings Roundup

Bacaro: Frank DeCarlo of Peasant and his wife Dulcinea Benson transport you to Venice in their 80-seat wine bar/restaurant on the Lower East Side. Northern Italian menu offerings include cicchetti, (think Venetian bar snacks) like crostini, sardines, artichokes, and more, cheeses selected by Lou DiPalo, and pastas, quail, and duck for those seeking heartier fare. 136 Division Street, between Orchard and Ludlow Streets, 212-941-5060.

Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill: The Blue Ribbon team is at it again, this time with their greatest hits. This newcomer, located in boutique hotel 6 Columbus, serves up both the full Blue Ribbon Sushi menu and selections from the Blue Ribbon menu, each gussied up with an Asian flair. 308 West 58th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues, 212-397-0404.

Lunetta: Chef/Owner Adam Shepard opens a second outpost of this Smith Street favorite, bringing his rustic, comforting Italian fare to Manhattanites. Although the dining room is bigger, Shepard isn't making things splashy; he's sticking to his seasonal, sustainable menu which includes favorites such as meatballs with toasted garlic-red sauce, the ricotta lunette pasta pomodoro, and the Lunetta ricotta (which is made in-house). 920 Broadway between 20th and 21st Streets, 212-533-3663

Smith's: Danny Abrams, the man behind the Mermaid Inn, Red Cat, and the Harrison comes together with chef Pablo Romero (formerly of Bouley) at this new bistro. The menu focuses on seasonal American fare with peeks of the Mediterranean sneaking through. Offerings include grilled taleggio cheese with fig marmalade on country bread, charred Cape Cod squid with lemon confit, olives and pancetta, a pork chop with celery root and apple puree, mustard greens and braised pork cheeks, and an olive oil poached Chatham cod with black pepper tagliolini and lemon gremolata. 79 Macdougal Street between Bleecker and Houston, 212-260-0100.

Five Guys: This Virginia burger chain has landed in Manhattan, its second location in the five boroughs. Although we can't imagine that a well-done burger would inspire the cult-like following that Five Guys has, the first day report indicated that the lines were long. Then again, the beef is never frozen, the fries are made fresh, drink refills are free, and there are barrels of peanuts around for the nibbling. From the chaos our friends at Midtown Lunch described, it sounds like we need to let them get things in order before heading over, but the curiosity will lead us there eventually. 43 West 55th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, 212-459-9600.