PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er “Susan”

Every Tuesday I turn the site over to a Midtown Lunch’er for their recommendations of places to eat Lunch in Midtown. Today it’s Susan, a “Vegetarian” who loves lobster rolls…

Name: Susan

Age:
39

Occupation:
News Librarian

Where in Midtown do you Work?:
47th & 6th

Favorite Kind of Food:
Pasta. Bread. Rice. Potatoes. (Are you detecting a theme here?) If my carbs come in the form of Indian or Mexican food, all the better.

Least Favorite Kind of Food:
Brussels sprouts. John Waters didn’t call them little balls of hell for nothing.

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown:
At Minar, I get the vegetarian combo with saag paneer, aloo ghobi and navrattan curry, with rice AND naan. (A tip: sharing three separate dishes with two of your co-workers works out to be cheaper than getting the combo.) The masala dosa is great, too. I’m also a fan of the tofu pad kee mao at Pongsri. For low-rent Mexican, I like the burritos at Bagelfeller (go figure). My default: black bean burrito in a whole wheat tortilla with guac.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Cafe Metro. It’s totally overpriced but it’s fast. I generally get the split pea soup and a caesar side salad, and feel like a chump for paying $7.50.

Place you discovered on MidtownLunch.com: Taki Sushi (try the tofu teriyaki!) and the fabulous Oms/b. Maybe we could get them to open a 47th Street branch.

Dream job location for lunch purposes only, and why?: As you can probably tell from my responses, I’m pretty much a vegetarian. But I’ve been known to, um, cheat, and my favorite guilty pleasure is the lobster roll at Pearl Oyster Bar on Cornelia Street. So I’d like to work near — or maybe even AT — Pearl Oyster Bar.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: Aside from the pricey Wu Liang Ye, is there any really GOOD Chinese food in the West 40s? Also, what’s your favorite place for rice and beans? I’ve tried Margon, Café Cello, Havana Central and Rice & Beans, but none have been magically delicious. And finally — are there any food carts that a non-carnivore could love? Thanks.

 

My suggestions for Susan (including the best brussel sprouts in NYC), PLUS how you can be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, after the jump…

Where to begin…


Photo Courtesy of Roboppy (aka The Girl Who Ate Everything)

#1.  You don’t like Brussels Sprouts, right?  It’s not in Midtown, but the Brussels w/ bacon, apple and kimchi @ Momofuku Ssam Bar will definitely change your mind.  Oh right… you’re a “vegetarian”.  I’m pretty sure you’re not allowed in that place.

#2.  If you like carbs, I would definitely recommend El Rincon de Sabor.  I had a chicken dish with pasta, lentils and rice!  It’s like carb heaven (shit- the chicken.  I’m not real good at this recommendation stuff…)

#3.  Carts for vegetarians… the only thing I can think of is the many Falafel carts right outside your building (Kwik Meal, Moshe’s, etc.)  Or maybe the Crepe cart outside of Moma?

I give up… although I will be writing about a pretty good Indian buffet for under $10 real soon (possibly tomorrow).   Anybody got any recommendations for Susan?  Leave them as comments below…

And as always if you have any Midtown Lunch news or you’d like to be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, just email me at zach@midtownlunch.com.

7 Comments

  • Schezwan Gourmet on 39th between 5th and 6th was the best Chinese in midtown, if not the city. It closed for renovations a few months ago, and I don’t know if they’ve reopened. They had great lunch specials and very authentic and interesting dishes. Wu Liang Ye is excellent, but too crowded at lunch. I suppose there’s always Ollie’s on 44th between 7th & 8th.

  • Thanks, Lee — I will keep an eye out for Schezwan Gourmet’s reopening.

    Thanks also to Zach for the recommendations. Sadly, I’m not a falafel lover. My husband (and fellow Midtown Luncher) swears by Kwik Meal, though.

  • Here’s another vote for Ollie’s – their food is awesome.

  • Hahahahah I love your recommendations for a vegetarian =P

  • PS Maybe since she’s not vegan, she can eat stuff made with animal products? Or is that not how it works? I really don’t know…

  • I’m not a fan of Ollie’s. For Chinese, I like Ginger’s on 7th at 37th. Lots of veggie options. They deliver to the 40’s. They also have happy hour drink specials :)

  • Interesting comments.. :D

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