What's new in the world of NYC restaurants this week? We welcome a new East Village bar that specializes in Dutch food and drink, Eddie Huang opens his Taiwanese street food-inspired restaurant and Brooklyn gets a general store that also specializes in ice cream. Check out what's new in your neighborhood!

• Vandaag: The main focus at the new East Village bar is genever - an ancient Dutch style of gin - but the menu of Dutch fare, like slow-braised oxtail and guinea hen for two, doesn't look bad either. [NYT]
• Just Sweet: A dessert-only spot on Third Ave is open and serving Asian sweets like crepes, shaved ice and Tong Sui. [Serious Eats] 
• Xiao Ye: Eddie Huang's latest restaurant - A LES spot focusing on late-night Taiwanese street food - is officially open. [EaterNY]
• Strong Place: The owners behind Bocca Lupo and Nectar open Strong Place, a modern American Bistro in Cobble Hill. [EaterNY]
• Tin City Drug & General Store: This classic soda shoppe in Brooklyn is serving ice cream, milkshakes and stocking its shelves with food products. [Bed-Stuy Blog]
• Gazala: From the owner of Gazala's Place, comes another Israeli-inspired restaurant with a menu featuring hummus and other meze. [TONY]

This week, three different critics are all weighing in on the Lion (with pretty similar opinions), the new Tanoreen is just as good as the old and Brooklyn BBQ is better than ever! Check out what the critics are saying about NYC restaurants and let us know if you agree!

• Sam Sifton says the food at the Lion is "mostly comforting, occasionally very good," but he isn't impressed by the atmosphere. "The Lion also seems to have swapped the warm exclusivity of the Waverly for a kind of populism that is more inclusive, but also far louder and less pleasant." One star. [NYT]
• Adam Platt also reviews the Lion and is unimpressed with the food and the scene. "This is the price you pay for entry, however brief, into select dining clubs like this. But at the Lion, I can't say it's worth it." [NYMag] (pictured above)
• Ryan Sutton also reviews the Lion, where he likes the "Special Blend" burger, but not much else. [Bloomberg]
• Jay Cheshes thinks that while the atmosphere in Tanoreen's new and larger location may be bland, the food definitely is not. "Thanks to Bishara's knafeh, her pilafs, spreads and gorgeous grilled meats, the new Tanoreen remains just as packed at the old one." [TONY]
• Tables for Two reviews Torrisi Italian Specialties and finds that while the appetizers are great, the entrees need some work. "The most interesting dishes tend to arrive early." [NYer]
• In $25 and Under, the Commodore gets praise for its bar food "that pushed all the right buttons when you're rolling through your third drink of the night." [NYT] 
• Robert Sietsema revisits Williamsburg BBQ joint Fette Sau and finds it's better than ever. [VV]
• Gael Greene eats an eight-pound octopus at La Fonda del Sol, which she says is going through a revival. [Insatiable Critic]

The fro-yo craze has long since taken New York by storm as a healthier but equally as satisfying alternative to ice cream. Whether it's served in a truck or in a chic shop, this tart and tangy frozen treat has expanded to include more flavors and more extravagant toppings than ever before. Now, joining the ranks of Pinkberry and Red Mango is Wicked Spoon, located in Brooklyn.

What's on the Eats.com calendar this week? Plenty of summer foods like hot dogs, chowder and lobster rolls. Plus good beer and great wine! Read on to see where we'll be eating this week. 

JULY 26-AUGUST 1 - Riesling Week: Vyne Wine Bar participates in "Riesling Week" from July 26 to August 1, featuring a special list of Riseling by the glass, bottle, or as part of a tasting menu. [Grub Street]

 JULY 27 - BBQ Blowout: It's time for another BBQ Blowout from Finger on the Pulse!  Come to Good Company in Brooklyn for some good tunes and good bbq.  $5 a plate; Good Company, 10 Hope St, Brooklyn; 7pm; http://www.fotpnyc.com/blog/?p=213

JULY 28 - Good Beer at BAM: Get your brew on at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s 2nd annual celebration.  $45, BAMcafe, 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY; 4pm-8pm; http://www.bam.org/view.aspx?pid=1202

JULY 29 - Italian Summer Night: John Adler of Franny’s will craft four seasonal Italian dishes using local produce.  Ger-Nis Culinary & Herb Center, 540 President St between Third and Fourth Aves, suite 2E, Gowanus, Brooklyn (347-422-0337). 6–9pm; $55.

JULY 31 - The Great Hot Dog Cookoff:  Hold onto your buns: The Great Hot Dog Cookoff returns for its 5th year to benefit City Harvest. $35; Kelso Brewery, Brooklyn; 2pm-6pm

AUGUST 1 - Fresh Lobster Rolls are paired with Maine’s Allegash brew for an event at Black Rabbit in Greenpoint.
 

AUGUST 1 - New Orleans Sundays: Chow down on sweet-and-sour chicken wings, or drink beer and Pimms cups at d.b.a. Brooklyn, when Tchoup Shop transports some New Orleans to Brooklyn. d.b.a. Brooklyn, 113 North 7th St between Berry St and Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-218-6006). 2:30–8pm.

AUGUST 3 - Beacon Chowder Fest: who can say no to all-you-can eat  chowder, grilled lobster, fried chicken, and more, at Beacon’s annual Chowder Fest?  We guess the servers in bikinis would probably be a draw as well (here's to hoping it's not just waitresses).  Beacon, 25 W 56th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-332-0500). 6:30pm; $95.

AUGUST 3 - Farm-to-Table Talk: ABC Kitchen is hosting Planet Green’s Dr. Brent Ridge and the Hudson Valley Seed Library’s Ken Greene, where they will discuss cultivating heirloom vegetables. A tasting will follow; R.S.V.P. via abchome.com/events/beekman. Free, ABC Elixir Bar, 35 E 18th St between Broadway and Park Ave South (212-475-5829). 5–6pm.