• Today it's the New York Times' turn to preview what's on tap this fall. [NYT]
• It's been a rough few months for restaurant owners on account of the recession, although a fair number are figuring out how to make it work. [NYT]
• The sour economy hasn't put a damper on Richard Caring's plans. The Brit restaurateur and owner of Soho House is spending $7 million to revamp the former Cafe Pierre and turn it into NYC outpost of Le Caprice. Meanwhile, Tony May is gearing up for the opening of his big new Italian restaurant, SD26, which may be "one of the more theatrical debuts of the fall." [NYT, NYT]
• What should you make of the new crop of resto-clubs, like Hotel Griffou, The Gates, and LevantEast? Not much, reports Time Out's Jay Cheshes. [TONY]
• The 10 "big deal" restaurants to keep an eye on this season. [Eater]
• The new Oceana finally has its liquor license. So it's now celebrating. [Zagat]
• Su Casa, a bar/lounge/speakeasy in the Village, opens this weekend. [GS]

• The Grill at the Standard hotel is in friends-and-family mode at the moment. (It should be open to the public sometime next week.) In the meantime, though, you'll be pleased to hear (and see—left) that some serious bartender training is currently underway. [HotelChatter, Flickr]
• New York's very first spot for 24-hour-a-day pho is coming soon. [GS]
• Chocolate mousse is popping up all over town, according to Kate Krader. Exhibits 1-4: Monkey Bar, Minetta Tavern, Bar Artisanal, and Kefi. [F&W]
• Another list of downturn-friendly bars offering free food with drinks. [NYT]
• Good news for strip club fans: Drink prices, cover charges are down. [WSJ]
• Some breaking news from Tuesday evening's screening of Food, Inc.: Rocco DiSpirito says he's been known to occasionally eat a Cinnabon or two. [NYDN]