Here Comes The Year in Eater 2009!

The close of the 2009 is upon us, and thus Eater HQ is gearing up for The Year in Eater, our annual recap of the happenings of the past 12 months in dining—as well as what diners in our fair city might expect to see in the year to come. Surveys have been dispatched to notable food figures across the city asking a bevvy of questions; the results will run in this space throughout next week. But we want you, dear reader, to share your voice, too. So here's one for the crowd to get us rolling:

Forget 2009. What was the best standby restaurant of the decade, and what was the saddest closing of the past 10 years?

Put your answer in the comments, and tell us why. And stay tuned for much more of The Year in Eater.
· The Year in Eater 2008 [~ELA~]