Now Open: Belleville Lounge
332 Fifth Street, Park Slope; (718)832-9777
“Belleville, the landmark Brooklyn bistro that has wowed devoted locals and urban day-trippers with authentic Parisian food and ambiance, has recently expanded their space and created an exciting new nightspot, the Belleville Lounge… The Lounge, with its soaring sky-lit ceiling, vintage 1950′s Parisian bar and original French antique furnishings, brings the Marais to the Slope,” or so says their press release. According to the Belleville website, they’ll also host Wednesday night Karaoke (which will involve a “mix of everything from Brooklyn’s favorite karaoke singers, to readings of Dr. Seuss”), Monday night Girl Party, and a Sunday Night Drag/Tea Party.

Coming Soon: Purple Yam
1314 Cortelyou Road, Ditmas Park
Ditmas Park Blog happily reports that Purple Yam, “the eagerly-awaited Filipino restaurant on Cortelyou will open in May.” A model of the new space and photos of the work-in-progress are posted on the Cendrillon website.

Newly Improved: Press 195
195 Fifth Avenue, Park Slope; (718) 857-1950
Chowhound Bob Oreilly talked to the owner at the recently reopened Press 195 and learned that they’ll now be serving liquor, new menu items, six beers on tap, and “more importantly faster service as the kitchen has expanded… I can’t wait to have a roasted beet salad and try these Belgian fries the owner told me about.” (Thoughts on Press 195? Review it here.)

After the jump: A culinary tour of Brighton Beach, the new Patois, $25 prix fixe dinners, and more…

Culinary Tour of Brighton Beach
As soon as the weather finally warms up, we’ll definitely be making use of New York magazine’s guide to Brighton Beach. They’ve chosen their favorite spots for “ruby-red borscht” and “fluffy cheese blintzes” — and they’ll lead you to a liquor store that sells vodka “in such flavors as buffalo grass (zubrovka), birch-tree buds, and honey and pepper.”

Quick Bites
New York magazine gives some love to the new food vendors at the Flea… Grub Street takes a look at the new Patois in Little Italy… Chowhounds discuss the $25 prix fixe menus at Henry’s End, Tempo, and Chestnut… Park Slope’s Loki Lounge is hosting a “Pork Off“… And Pampa closes in Williamsburg, says Zagat.