Astoria: New Mediterranean restaurant Balu, at 37-11 30th Avenue, is already bumpin', probably thanks to its "Miami-esque" décor. [Joey in Astoria]
Dumbo: The Vendy Awards will be on October 18 this year at Tobacco Warehouse. [Midtown Lunch]
East Village: The new Chocolate Bar now has a daily sweets happy hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., through September 15. [Bottomless Dish/Citysearch]
Midtown West: On August 26 at Toloache, tacos will be $1 all day to celebrate the restaurant's first anniversary. [Grub Street]
Times Square: Virgil's is giving away free ribs on 44th Street tonight from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (or until they run out), like they did last year at their Woodstock-themed Ribstock. Did hippies eat ribs? [Eater]
Tribeca: In discussing the woes of calling restaurants who don't pick up the phone, Bruni reveals he hasn't bothered calling Nobu recently. [Diner's Journal/NYT]