EaterWire: 5 Ninth Chef Shuffle, Vendy Controversy

MEATPACKING DISTRICT— Grub Street reports that Justin Toth is the new chef at 5 Ninth and he's gradually changing the menu to make it all-American with “no fancy French sauces” and plenty of fried chicken. It should be noted this is the second chef shuffle here in in six months. In the next few months a physical remodeling will take place. [GS]

PARK SLOPE— DBTH notices something noted elsewhere: Beer Table is weirdly pricey: "the cheapest beer in the house was $10. And it was a Six Point Bengali, which is brewed in a factory 10 minutes from the restaurant." [DBTH]

PROGRAMMING NOTE—Eric Ripert will be on Letterman tonight to talk about his new show Avec Eric. Let's hope it's as good as last week's Ramsay/Conan bit. [EaterWire]

MIDTOWN— The nominees for the annual charity event the Vendy Awards, known in certain circles as the Oscars of New York street food, were announced over the weekend, and Midtown Lunch commenters are uncomfortably riled up about the nomination of Rickshaw Dumpling Truck calling it the "Dane Cook of Trucks," threatening to boycott the event, and chalking up the nomination to all of Rickshaw's unsophisticated non-foodie fans. Please MLers, pull it together. [ML]