Midtown Lunch

Every Tuesday I turn over Midtown Lunch to a random Midtown worker, for their favorite places to eat lunch in Midtown. This week, it’s Caitlin- a Real Estate Paralegal who loves Asian Food (and gravy… did you think I wouldn’t notice your comment yesterday?)  She also clued me in to what wiener really means…

Name:Caitlin

Age: 25

Occupation: Real Estate Paralegal/Soon-to-be Law Student

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Grand Central Area

Favorite Kind of Food:  Probably anything Asian would qualify… I’m a pushover for good sushi, I’m a dim sum fiend, and I could probably eat my weight in curry, bi bim bap, or lad na.  I’m from Montana, so I don’t know where the Asian hankering comes from.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: This is a tough question, since there are few things that I categorically dislike… usually if I don’t like something, it’s because of poor preparation, not the food in question.  That being said, shrimp are icky.  I love all other (edible) crustaceans, but something about their shrimpiness just grosses me out.  That and I had to de-gut about 20 pounds of jumbos for a wedding reception once.

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown:  I have to say the basil chicken at GoodPortions (Lex btw. 39th & 40th) is at a close tie with the chicken souvlaki at The Famous Chicken Place I recently discovered on 3rd at 39th.  For a nicer place, you can’t beat the homemade pasta at Fagiolini at 39th and Lex.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often:  Old Bridge Deli at 41st and Lex is the downfall of us all.  It’s OK food, OK prices if you know the tricks, and it’s right across the street, so it has its advantages.  Beware the “Chinese” food at the hot bar!  But their breakfast specials can’t be beat… $1.25 for a large coffee and a bagel with butter?  Shyeah!

Place you discovered on MidtownLunch.com:  Unfortunately, most lunching spots are a bit out of my walking range for lunchtime, but I did discover Oms/b, that oasis of portable rice and goodness.  I just might try Hurry and Tasty Curry this week.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why?  Seriously, I have to say Australia.  I haven’t been to the Tuck Shop yet, but I  am lusting for it.  I spent a semester abroad in Melbourne when I was in college, and I still find myself craving the fish curry at this little shop by the Uni hospital.  Food of the fishy gods.  Also, you can’t beat a continent that deep fries balls of mashed potatoes and sells them with gravy at walk-up shops on the street.  It’s also the best of both worlds because of its proximity to Southeast Asia… lots of Singaporian, Indonesian and Malaysian food.  And if you haven’t had a Tim Tam with a cup of Milo, you haven’t lived.. 

Anything else you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?  I’m buying a condo soon, so I’m trying to scrimp and save as much as I can.  I’d love people to share their strategies for stretching a buck when eating out in Midtown and the places they go to do so…. Stuff like the Olive Garden trick: fill up on the free soup and salad, then take your entree to go.  You get three meals out of one!

Interesting… surprisingly I’ve never tried the “Olive Garden” trick.  The downside of that plan is you have to eat three meals from the Olive Garden.  For those willing to brave it, there is only one Olive Garden in Midtown- on Broadway btw. 47+48th.  (I’ll bet you the couple eating next to you, isn’t from New York…)

My tip for Caitlin, PLUS how you can be the next Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er… after the jump.

I haven’t tried the Chicken Souvlaki at the “Famous Chicken Place” you recommended (3rd Ave. & 39th St.) – but their “Famous” Charcoal Broiled Chicken is delicious and a total steal.  $5.35 for half a chicken (and cole slaw or potato salad).  I’ve never done it… but you could probably stretch that over two meals!  Recommend your cheap eats or dining “trick” to Caitlin as a comment below… 

To be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, just email me at zach@midtownlunch.com