Archive for December 2007

Midtown Links (Latkes, Levine & Loser Tourists Edition)

Pop Burger Midtown Finally Opens

Despite sending out Facebook invitations for a “Sneak Preview” Party on Saturday night, it appears as if the preview belongs to the Midtown Lunchers!  Pop Burger threw open their doors at 11am this morning, and is open for business.  Eater is there first with some great photos.

The more and more I hear about this place (i.e. Saturday night facebook PR party), the less and less it seems like a true Midtown Lunch- but I do love me some sliders,  so you know I’ll be there.  If you go today (it’s on 58th btw. Madison & 5th), let everyone know what it’s like in the comments (or post photos to the Midtown Lunch Flickr Photo Group).

Related: Chelsea’s Pop Burger Opening a Massive New Midtown Location

What’s that smell? (Co-worker lunches from the past few weeks)

Not surprisingly I have become the lunchtime stalker in my office.  Between Noon and 3pm, if you’re eating something and that smell is wafting between the cubicles, you can count on me to be there.  “What’s that smell?  What are you eating?  Where did you get that?” 

I’m sure there is one of these people in your office too… and if you’re a regular reader of this blog- then chances are that person is you.   See something good in your office?  Send it to zach@midtownlunch.com , or post it to the Midtown Lunch Flickr Photo Page.

Here are some of the things I’ve smelled over the past few weeks…

Tilapia Fish Special from the Kwik Meal Cart (45th & 6th)

The Filet Mignon Sandwich from Starwich (on 38th btw. 5+6th). 

Starwich is like the ‘wichcraft, before there was ‘wichcraft.  This particular sandwich is $12.95, making it outside Midtown Lunch price boundaries, but most of the sandwiches are under $10 (including a braised short rib sandwich on challah that looks pretty good to me).

Some street meat, and a different looking chicken parm sub after the jump… Read more »

Bits & Pieces (The Katsu Sushi & Street Cart News Edition)

  • Go Go Curry (38th btw. 7+8th) is not only serving breakfast now (Katsu Sandwiches), but apparently they have Katsu Sushi as well!
  • The new Goodburger on 45th btw. 5+6th will not open this Monday.  They say the place will be ready closer to Wednesday at the earliest…
  • … and we’re still waiting for the new Pop Burger.  Could today be the day?

  • All three Kwik Meal cart locations have been accepting donations to aide the Cyclone victims in Bangladesh.  The collection boxes were not there yesterday, but I’m sure they will still accept donations.
  • Cafe Haru (on 38th btw. 7+8th), another generic deli with a lot of Korean & Japanese options, has closed.
  • The Bulgogi Cart on 49th btw. 5+6th now has Bulgogi & Kimchee Udon Noodle Soup ($5).
  • There is a new, easier to read and understand menu on Kim’s Aunt Kitchen Cart (46th btw. 5+6th).  Most notable addition- a combo plate that allows you to get any two items, plus rice, french fries or Lo Mein.  (Meaning the combo I paid $8 for, and wrote about is now only $7.50)
  • Finally, the “Chef” at the Biriyani/Chapati Roll Cart on 46th & 6th is on vacation until January 22nd.  The cart remains open, and serving all of their standard items- but there is mention of “appearance & menu changes”, “new & exciting meals” and a “more varieties and selections of Kati Rolls” when the Chef returns. 

Got any bits and pieces to report?  Email me at zach@midtownlunch.com

The “New” House of Pita Celebrates their Grand Opening, By Closing

Not even open long enough to take down their Grand Opening sign, the newer House of Pita , on 46th btw. 5+6th has closed down. The original House of Pita location, a window on 48th btw. 5+6th, closed down a little over a month ago , 5 months after the owners opened the newer, larger location just two blocks away. I had always assumed that closing the 48th St. window was the plan all along, but now that the larger location has closed, I’m not so sure. One thing is for sure, restaurants looking to expand their already successful Midtown businesses should take notice.

According to Kosher-NY, the owner “hopes to open a new Fleishig restaurant in another location, [but] nothing specific is in the works as of yet”. Need a replacement falafel? Kosher Deluxe , Moshe’s , The Kwik Meal Cart & Bread & Olive are all within walking distance.

Kati Roll Now Offers Delivery, Introduces Strange New Menu

When Kati Roll lost their lease, and was forced to move from 46th St. to 39th St. (btw. 5+6th), it was at the peak of Midtown Lunch popularity.  There were long lines to order, 20+ minute waits for your food and it even spawned two copycat carts down the street (only one of them survived).

Now, 4 months later and in their new location, the lines are gone.  The crowds, nowhere to be found as the new Kati Roll waits for the lazy, set in their ways workers in Midtown South to discover them for the first time.  One thing that hasn’t changed, is the food, and if you work near the old Kati Roll and don’t have time to walk the extra 7 blocks to the new location, they now offer delivery.

The minimum order is $20, but they told me if you got above $15 they would probably do it.  The delivery area is from 30th St. to 50th St., between Lexington & 8th Ave.  They’ve also added a new, and fairly strange take out menu- for those who are not so good at reading. 

Check it out after the jump… Read more »

PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er “David”

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week, it’s David, a Photo Retoucher who has got a good number of recs for those of you south of Bryant Park.

Name: David

Age:
28

Occupation:
Commercial Photo Retoucher

Where in Midtown do you Work?:
Ever exciting midtown south…

Favorite Kind of Food:
At the moment I’m really excited by Korean whether its noodle soup, dumplings, bi bim bop, or BBQ. There’s nothing like those savory, spicy, flavors once the cold weather hits. I have to admit though I’m pretty much a sucker for anything spicy that comes with chopsticks.

Least Favorite Kind of Food:
EGGPLANT. A couple years back I got the chinese chicken and eggplant at Pow Wok (7th Ave. btw. 36+37th) and just got hit in a BAAAD way. The experience has ruined it for me (and much less tragically Pow Wok as well), although if its breaded, fried, and covered with cheese and tomato sauce I’ll use my powers of self-trickery and still eat it.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown:
Mandoo Ramen Soup at Mandoo (32nd St), Katsu Curry at Go Go Curry (38th St btw. 7+8th– only a block away from the office woot!), and finally any number of things at Soul Fixin’s — meatloaf, fried chicken, stewed okra, mac n cheese, cornbread etc. (34th st @ 9th Ave)

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often:
My coworkers tend to hit up a lot of chain places which I generally try to avoid, although I will hit Pax for breakfast every now and again. But this isn’t Midtown breakfeast so… I guess I’d have to say the chicken parm hero at La Bellezza Pizza (40th st @ 7th ave) or the spicy beef soba soup at New Star Cafe (7th btw. 39+40th)


Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch:
I was finally convinced to walk into the 38th St Restaurant and bakery after reading about it on this site. But when I walked by a week or so ago, the windows had been covered in newspaper. What gives? Health violations, renovations due to the enhanced business from this blogs review, discovery of an illegal immigration ring in the basement… One can only theorize.


If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why?
This is one of those impossible questions because I think eventually I’d get bored anywhere. How about the kitchen at Le Bernardin?

Well David, you’ll be happy to know that the 38th St. Restaurant and Bakery has been rechristened Ying Du, and re-opened with a brand new sign, and a cleaner, brighter, nicer interior.

The interior, complete with new tables, and fancy lighting fixtures, after the jump… Read more »

Tuesday is the last day for Special Japanese Sweets at Cafe Zaiya

Thanks to Feisty Foodie & Cheap Ass Food I was tipped off to this pretty cool thing happening at Cafe Zaiya (on 41st btw. Mad+5th). For the past week, they have replaced their Beard Papa station with the NYC debut of “New Matsue Kashi” a very beautiful (and delicious) form of Wagashi, Japanese sweets made from mochi, bean paste and fruit. And for those who like to limit their fat intake (present company excluded obviously), they don’t contain any animal fat, making them low in calories and cholesterol.

The wagashi range in price from $1.75 to $3.50 each, and come in different flavors and shapes (including pumpkin, blueberry, mango and chestnut). Similar sweets can be purchased at Minamoto Kitchoan (on 49th btw. 5+6th), but at Cafe Zaiya you can actually watch them being made (and I’m guessing they’re cheaper).

Tomorrow is the last day they will be available at Cafe Zaiya (and they close at 8pm). More photos, after the jump… Read more »

Celebrate the Festival of Lights With The Best Potato Pancakes in Midtown

The first night of Chanukah is tomorrow night, and with the Stage & Carnegie Delis fighting each other over who can more effectively gouge stupid tourists, you have to travel a little farther off the beaten path if you want potato pancakes at Midtown Lunch approved prices.  Here are my picks…

1.  The Diamond Dairy (4 W. 47th St.) – Still the undisputed king of Chanukah time, this truly hidden gem (pun entirely intended) serves up a good plate of potato pancakes year round, in the back mezzanine of one of the jewelry stores on 47th btw. 5+6th.  And at 2 for $6, and 3 for $8, they are a steal.  Just make sure you write down the address, or else you’ll never find it.

2. Cafe Edison (47th btw. B’way+8th) – Surprisingly, this old school deli doesn’t serve latkes year round- but starting tomorrow night this Midtown institution offers them as a special for the 8 days of Chanukah.  They haven’t set a price yet, but they assured me it will be under $10. 

3.  Sarge’s (3rd Ave. btw. 36+37th) – Unfortunately Sarge’s amazing list of sandwiches are too expensive for Midtown Lunch’ing purposes, but the super thick potato pancakes at this Midtown East establishment, come in at just under $10 ($8.95).  This kid seems to be enjoying them!

And finally, the cheapest (and most shocking) potato pancakes in Midtown, after the jump… Read more »