Frank Bruni sure is getting around now that he is finished at the Times food critic. Here he is having some fun backstage at the Colbert Report. Guffaw! Now we have to ask, is there anything he has turned down during this promotional tour?

My, Frank Bruni is getting a bit punchy in his final days on the job. Today's Diner's Journal on the Chow vs Chow lawsuit is thorough and engaging, but the headline in our RSS feed was rather to the point.

From Chow to Chin -  By Frank Bruni

While Michael Chow and Philippe Chow battle over their overpriced, mediocre Chinese restaurants, Chin Chin presents well-prepared Chinese dishes in an elegant setting.

Why, how Frank! Get it? Frank? Ahahaha.

Oh Frankie, we know you merrily moving on from your onerous gig as chief restaurant critic, but this is no time to get all lazy on your legions of readers. It seems that Mr. Upper West Side has been thinking a lot about the Lower East Side (Hell Square to you and us), and decided to spend some time down there before his food carriage turns into a pumpkin. His first stop was Peasant's subterranean wine bar, saying "I love it here. There are better Italian wine lists in the city, certainly, but Peasant gives a good pour for the price, and the wine bar has some casual nibbles in addition to the menu from the restaurant upstairs." Only problem? Peasant is on Elizabeth Street, meaning it isn't in the Lower East Side! Everyone knows that once you cross the Bowery heading west, you are clearly in Nolita. So while we love having El Frank come downtown, we do hope he has a bit more respect for geographical boundaries. [Diner's Journal]