• Today was Frank Bruni's last day as New York Times dining critic. In honor of the momentous occasion, Bruni shares some thoughts on, well, just about everything you've ever wondered during his five-year tenure. [NYT, NYT]
• Bruni-blitz, con't: Two more interviews with Bruni are online today, including the longest one you'll probably ever see, courtesy of Team Eater. [Eater, TFB]
• The "disastrous, wipeout summer" that many chefs and restaurant owners were fearfully predicting just a couple of months ago never really came to pass, Steve Cuozzo happily reports today in the New York Post. [NYP]
• Today in food reviews: The Daily News' Danyelle Freeman gives The Mott three stars out of five; Pete Wells of the Times pays a visit to SHO Shaun Hergatt; Time Out's Jay Cheshes hits the Standard Grill and has very good things to say; and Bloomberg's Ryan Sutton surveys the city's sandwich scene.
• Corton's Paul Liebrandt may be widely respected chef. But to describe him as an unpleasant interview subject would be a huge understatement. [BlackBook]

• What you can expect to find—and see—when the Breslin Bar and Dining Room opens in the Ace Hotel on West 29th Street this October. [NYM]
• Time Out's "fall preview" issue rounds up what's on the horizon. [TONY]
• The cops cracked down on the street vendors outside the Met today. [NYT]
• David Burke shares a few details on his recent renovation work. [TFB]
• Over in Williamsburg, Planet Thailand has closed its doors after 10 years in business. And the Berry Park beer hall is now open. [Zagat, Eater]
• Speaking of which, beer companies are planning to raise prices! [WSJ]