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New York Times and coffee. Photo: The Nickster, Flickr

We reported back in May, along with the rest of the food blogosphere, that Frank Bruni, dining critic for the New York Times, was departing his beat as perhaps the most powerful journalist in the national restaurant scene.

Blogs like Eater, Grub Street and Gawker covered the departure obsessively, and their sadness at the departure of the man some called the Brunz -- or when feeling particularly tender, "King Brunz" -- was palpable.

Now Sam Sifton has stepped into the spotlight and, as editor Bill Keller's memo notes, up to the treadmill. (Bruni wrote about his rigorous workout routine for Men's Vogue). Food writers are already apoplectic about the newcomer: Eater has given the casual "Sifty" a shot, whereas Gawker is far more interested in finding a proper costume for the not-at-all-anonymous Sifton, who has long been the Gray Lady's Culture Editor. No doubt the suggestions of Gawker commenters, which range from Harry Potter to Lenny Dykstra to Anna Wintour, will prove helpful to the new critic.

As per the departure of the Brunificent One, his photo was released to the public this week. Gael Greene quickly tweeted, "Would you trade in your clunker and buy a new car from this man?" Eat Me Daily -- to hilarious effect -- delivered at once.

Does the end of the Rainbow Room signal the end of an era? Just yesterday, MSNBC reported that the Rainbow Room, the renowned Manhattan landmark and restaurant, is going to shut down. John Higgins, the Chief Operating Officer of Cipriani, announced that the close is due to the current economic crisis and an ongoing dispute with their landlord, Tishman Speyer. Our sister blog, Luxist, explains that despite the definitive close on January 12th, they will continue to operate the bar, banquet space, and the weekend dinner-dancing sessions on the 65th floor.

The Rainbow Room opened on October 3, 1934 and quickly became a NYC icon associated with high-culture and style. The likes of Fred Astaire waltzed on its floor. Marlene Dietrich dined there, and famous musicians, such as organist Ray Bohr, performed there. The restaurant which opened during the Great Depression is now ironically closing during a new economic crisis. You can view images of the Rainbow Room's cultural peak at Gawker and feel the nostalgia of a past glamour.