The Mermaid Inn, that inviting East Village bistro beloved for its rich seafood entrees, has moved on up to the west side with a mostly new menu. Their second Manhattan outpost is appointed with old nautical maps, dark wainscoting and roll-up doors that will surely suck in the crowds during warmer months. (Alec Baldwin must be pleased about the eatery boosting Amsterdam Avenue’s cachet.) The Inn’s famous lobster sandwich survived the move, but there’s now......

This week in the Times, Bruni one-stars Centro Vinoteca. Says of chef Anne Burrell “The woman can fry,” and you’ll be happy with your food provided you choose anything fried, especially those items on the piccolini (small plates) menu. The rest is erractic: “Both on and off the plate, Centro can elate and deflate you.” Peter Meehan goes to Nusara for Thai in $25 and Under; says the restaurant “belongs on the short but growing......

Flatiron Joe's: In the former home of the short-lived Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Jay Shaffer, who owns Shaffer City Oyster Bar and Grill down the block, has created a casual spot where, for the time being, he's serving up bar snacks like sliders and nachos. He plans on serving lunch and dinner starting in October. 29 West 21st Street, (212) 414-3139. 8th Street Wine Cellar: This long awaited cozy wine bar is a welcome addition......

Laurent Tourondel is so sly! And we are so confused. We read on Eater that BLT Burger wouldn't be open until next Tuesday, so we made appropriate plans. But someone just emailed us: I discovered while walking down 6th Ave near my apt last night (Wed 10/25) that the latest iteration of the BLT chain had opened, without fanfare. Turned out, BLT Burger had been open for about 2 hrs when I decided to change......

The indicators that the economy is doing well are on Wall Street, but there's another indicator: How much high-end restaurants are willing to charge diners for entrees. The NY Times takes up the $40 entree and what it has wrought and why:-There are rising rents, costs of interior design, costs of getting the very finest ingredients. - The $40 entree can also encourage people to order entrees in the mid-$30's. - It's easier to print......

It might have been gloomy and drizzling outside, but inside of BLT Fish, at the first annual Crab Festival to benefit City Harvest, the mood was festive and the crabs were plentiful. Three floors of crab dishes as far as the eye could see -- crab legs from the BLT Fish raw bar, a Peekytoe Crab Salad from Bouley, a Crab Summer Roll with Chilled Crab Soup from Riingo, or Aunt Rae's Blue Crab......

BLT's Cheddar & Chive Biscuits ...