Mari Vanna's salad of ham and vegetables (Photo: Roxana Marroquin)

The following bars and restaurants are expected to be open no later than August 19. As always, call ahead before heading out, as opening dates can change.

Mari Vanna Breadlines may be one of the enduring images of food in Russia (that, along with the lavish tables of the czars), but this spin-off of a Moscow-based restaurant aims to counter these perceptions with a design that evokes the Russian home. The antique-adorned space has elements of the pre- and postrevolutionary eras, including layers of wallpaper from both periods. The food too skews homestyle, with traditional dishes like a shareable tureen of hot borscht, and beef Stroganoff with buckwheat and mushrooms. Premium Russian vodkas will headline a vast liquor selection, proving that some of our ideas of Russo-gastronomy are spot-on. 41 E 20th St between Broadway and Park Ave (212-777-1955)

Milk Bar Vanderbilt Avenue’s defunct Garden Cafe pioneered the Prospect Heights strip’s current restaurant and bar boom. In its place comes this modern café serving Counter Culture coffee—a fitting symbol of the area’s recent changes. The bill of fare includes items like panini, with varieties including smoked chicken with Asiago cheese, herbed mayonnaise and cucumber, and a small selection of bottled beers and wines. 620 Vanderbilt Ave at Prospect Pl, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (718-230-0844)

Bongo When owners Jeffrey Bell and Andrea Cohen opened Bongo on Tenth Avenue in 1999, that remote section of Chelsea hadn’t yet become the clubbing destination it is today. Eager to once again branch out into relatively uncharted territory, they’re launching a significantly larger second location. This retro space features three mod rooms, where customers can sip beer, wine or cocktails, which come in “mini” (regular) or “regular” (jumbo) sizes. In addition to the original’s raw-bar and lobster-roll offerings, look for fried items like Ipswich clams and fish-and-chips once the gas is turned on in a few weeks. 395 West St at 10th St (212-675-6555)

WingBar Buffalo wings­—made from a family recipe, no less—are the edible specialty at this Carroll Gardens bar. Potables include three draft beers—Coors, Bud and Captain Lawrence—along with a number of craft selections by the bottle, mixed drinks and a small wine list. A backyard patio with 40 seats allows for pleasant outdoor drinking, and anyone who spends more than $100 during the month of August gets a complimentary bottle of champagne. 275 Smith St between DeGraw and Sackett Sts, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (718-237-2728)

Bark Hot Dogs Chefs Brandon Gillis (Franny’s) and Joshua Sharkey (Café Gray) serve all-natural pork and beef hot dogs with homemade toppings at this Park Slope spot. 474 Bergen St at Flatbush Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-789-1939)

May Chan Ramen and Robatayaki The East Village becomes even more saturated with ramen thanks to this restaurant. 119 Second Ave at 7th St (212-982-4285)