FREE FOOD ALERT: Volstead to Offer Free Tuesday Lunch to All Midtown Lunch Readers
This is not a joke. I got an email this morning saying that The Volstead, a newish restaurant on 54th btw. Park+Lex, known for their after work bar scene, is offering free lunch to all Midtown Lunch readers every Tuesday in the month of May. This place is so not a Midtown Lunch (in both price and set up), but it’s free- and they have sandwiches, salads, sliders, burgers, and a lobster roll. Yes, a lobster roll… and it’s free (although lord how long it will be before those run out!). I spoke to owner Matt Wagman, who sent the email, to make sure he knew what he was getting himself into (we are very fat, and there are alot of us), and he not only assured me he did, but that it wasn’t a gimmick. He just wants more people to know about their lunch menu, and figured this was a good way to do it. (What was it they said about gift horses?)
And now for the supprisingly non-restrictive fine print: Limit one entree from the lunch menu, and one non-alcoholic beverage per person (and they assured me that if tables wanted to sample one or two of their appetizers, they would be allowed to do that as well). Believe me, I’m as a surprised as you are.
Lunch is between 11:30am and 2:30pm and reservations are recommended… so if you don’t want to leave it to chance you can actually book a reservation for your free lunch. (Walk-ins are accepted, space permitting, but no take out orders and no doggie bags- for obvious reasons.) Click here to check out the menu. To make a reservation, call 212 583-0411. Available every Tuesday between now and the end of May (2008). Oh and I’m not too concerned about this being a bait and switch… Matt reads the site and knows what happens to places that screw us over on free food days!
The Volstead, 125 E 54th St. (btw. Park+Lex), 212-583-0411
Posted: 4:00 pm, May 5th, 2008 under 54th btw. Park+Lex, Free Stuff.
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39 Comments
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so what, is that Ironman technology here yet? i need to fly yo.
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by that i mean, 54th btw Park and Lex is really far away..
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Made a reservation for next tuesday for me and 2 co-workers.
hope someone goes tomorrow to give a report. -
Hungry and Cheap, did they say anything about the Midtown Lunch promotion (or did you mention it)? I made a reservation for tomorrow afternoon, but no one mentioned anything so now I’m getting worried that this is a hoax…
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I made a reservation for tomorrow and they mentioned the lunch special, so it’s not a hoax. Hopefully I’ll be able to go tomorrow and check it out.
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can you get the lunch via take-out or is it dine-in only
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Sorry, I thought I had written “No takeout, no doggie bags” in the post… I just added it. They just don’t want people to take advantage by ordering a ton and then asking for it to go.
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SHOCKED!
Can you do take out???? -
[...] Volstead’s upping their stock further by offering free lunch Tuesdays all May to readers of Midtown Lunch.com. Delicious photos and the low down after the [...]
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Checking it out with 2 co-workers today as well. We didn’t mention anything about MT and they didn’t mention anything about a ‘SPECIAL’ so hopefully all goes well and there’s no confusion! Thanks MT!!! Will advise…
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Called to make a reservation-they said they’re only taking walk-ins.
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I check this site every five minutes! Why oh why was I away from a computer yesterday?? Getting the news a little too late, I just called to make a reservation and they are booked full. And next Tuesday is full. I asked if the whole month was already full and he told me to try next Monday for the week after next. SOB!
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Lobster roll too????
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I am literally trembling with excitement!!!
Now THIS is a restaurant a man of my sophistication and social standing could fall in love with. I have reservations for next week.
I do so look forward to meeting many of you in person. Please introduce yourself to me, if you are so inclined. I am a 66 year old “Southern Gentleman,” and my wife is considerably younger and taller than me. She resembles Bea Arthur, who she impersonates in a very popular caberet act.
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More like Dudley Moor’s Arthur.
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i just returned from my fully comp’ed meal at the volstead. it was actually really, really good! the service was incredibly friendly and there was nothing “off-limits” on the menu. i had the lobster roll, which was fantastic! the fries were also delicious. this definitely doesn’t qualify as a “midtown lunch”, but given this great experience, i will definitely recommend it in the future.
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First to report back–showed up at 11:30 and was seated at the bar (3 of us). We were offered an appetizer, entree and drink. I had the Buffalo Pops and lobster roll. The lobster roll was very good, tasty and just a hint of mayo. Served on a smooth brioche bun with a side of very good fries in a paper cone. The pops were excellent — lollipop-shaped fried brown discs on a wooden stick, with rolled-up chicken inside together with bleu cheese and (barely detectable) fine chopped celery, served with a slightly spicy dipping sauce.
One friend had the steak salad, which was a large mound of salad with steak bits and tortilla strips, and a very tasty lobster bisque. My other friend had a lobster roll and the chicken tortilla soup. Drink refills were offered, and when we were done the waiter just said “lunch is on us!” SO we filled out the small comment forms, left a nice tip, and headed out.
Awesome deal, best I’ve seen in a long time! The food was very good as well, slightly above ML standards but reasonable for the quality.
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OK, *second* to report… took too long finishing my post.
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can’t wait! made reservations for the 20th! =)
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We don’t need no steenkin’ reservations!
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thank you so much! just came back from there, this was the single most useful entry in a blog i have ever read.
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Arrived at 12 with friend, seated at the bar immediately. Perfect service. Crab cake pops very nicely done, lobster roll was excellent. Not rushed but done in 45…saw Zach on our way out.
only in New York…
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We are so thrilled that so many of you are trying out lunch at The Volstead! Just to clarify… Reservations are highly reccomended, but walk ins will be taken if/when possible. We will be opening reservations one week in advance, so please call 212.532.1519 or 212.583.0411 one week prior to your desired Tuesday lunch. We look forward to hosting all of you!
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I am soo sad I’m not able to go! Waaaaaaah!
I’m glued to my desk! -
Just came back with a group of 7….excellent appetizers, very solid lobster roll, and a great experience for the whole group….we have always had a great time there after-work for happy hour but now this just adds another dimension!
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wow. midtownlunch.com rules. and volstead rules too. so glad i came to work this morning and saw the post. quick recap of this most excellent experience.
walked in with a coworker at 12:15 and was promptly seated at the bar. we split our orders. started with the buffalo pops and spicy tuna roll. both we’re very tasty. tuna was buttery soft. pops had bits of blue cheese in them. for entrees we went wit the lobster roll (you have to) and the pulled pork sandwich. both were very good. bartender and staff were very friendly and attentive. will definitely be heading back next week.
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how did Swan get a reso for 20th if policy is one week in advance?
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Two of us went into Volstead for lunch today. The food was excellent, as was the service and decor. I’ll definitely add it to my list of regular lunch spots.
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Another clarification from The Volstead… We are indeed only taking reservations one week in advance, but that message didn’t get to all of the reservationists in time! Any of you that were lucky enough to get reservations for the 20th or 27th, we will still of course honor them! Apologies for any of the confusion, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
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I may have to take a 2 hour lunch one of these Tuesdays.
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Perhaps we could organize one communal table, hosted by my young wife and me?
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I don’t know, what do you guys think, could I do a walk in around 11:30 and beat the free lunch rush?
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The ambience, and service is excellent.
However, the food is not that great.
Oily, little flavor, and salty.
Definitely not worth it for the prices on the menu.
But if you can catch a free meal on a tuesday, go for it. -
I just got back from lunch at the Volstead. The place has great service and ambience. Very mellow and calming. However, there is room for improvement in the food category:
1. Lobster Bisque: A generous portion of lobster bisque. I thought this was quite good, considering it is bisque, and bisque is somewhat mild. It was served with fried crab wontons, which didn’t enhance the bisque. I would’ve just add chopped chives, fried wonton strips for texture, and a dash of fresh ground black peppers. Texture, color, and spice would definitely improve this soup.
2. Crab Cake Pops: My bf thought this was the highlight of the meal and enjoyed them very much. I thought it was okay. The texture was crisp, but it was definitely blended/pureed and dropped into a wet batter and fried. There isn’t enough texture for me. I prefer my crab cakes to be somewhat flaky and dense with crab meat. Overall, I liked the idea of serving them on sticks, but it was not spectacular.
3. Short rib cheesesteak: Five mini buns with shredded short ribs and cheese. Cheese was thin though. The short ribs were okay. Tasted fine but it leaves my mouth wanting more. Maybe a kick of something? Maybe some bell peppers/onions to add another layer of flavor? I don’t know; it was good, but ordinary.
4. Gyro: My bf got this appetizer as his meal. Ground lamb on sticks, served with black olives, yogurt sauce, and medallions of flat bread. Cute presentation, and I did like the ground lamb. Tasty with just a slight hint of spice. I could use some more spice. I liked this the most.
Overall, great place to hang out, fun food to eat. I would go here with colleagues and/or friends to hang out while munching, but if I want spectacular food, there is defintely room for improvements. The lobster roll was out when I was there. There may be other stuff that are better or tastier so give it a try.
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We just experienced the free lunch at Volstead yesterday, the place is amazing. Very cozy with a welcoming staff that gave us excellant service. The food was delicious, I had to try the lobster roll and thought it was amazing. I am also in love with the crab pops. Looking forward to visiting Volstead after work for cocktails.
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our free lunches were canceled today due to some water problem. They will, however, be honoring today’s reservations on June 3rd. They better have lobster rolls ready. I may check out the new midtown location of Mooncake Foods (30th and 8th).
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Same here. Guess it’s a Woorijip day then. We’ll see you June 3, Jamie.
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[...] Name: Emily Age: 25 in a month! Occupation: Editor, freelance writer (and blogger at confessionsofasplendastealer.wordpress.com) Where in Midtown do you Work?: 41at & Lex Favorite Kind of Food: Too much. I’ve been on a Cuban food kick lately and crave empanadas and platanos. But I also love Mexican, Thai, sushi, lots of pizza, anything with peanut butter or pumpkin, and I have a really bad sweet tooth. Least Favorite Kind of Food: I can be picky about seafood. I don’t really care for shellfish that lacks a specific texture other than slime, like raw oysters. I also don’t like monkfish and really didn’t like it after I Googled what it looks like naturally. I’m a very visual person so sometimes I don’t want to know what my food looks like before it’s ready to be eaten. Also, “a big salad” for lunch. I loathe all those Chopt and Just Salad spots. BO-RING! Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Do desserts count too? I have on occasion traded out lunch for dessert, and by occasion, I mean pretty frequently. The Mexican chocolate brownie or apricot oatmeal jammy from the Treats Truck and the PB&J cupcake from The Buttercup Bake Shop (one avenue over the Midtown Lunch limit on 2nd Ave.) are my favorite ways to indulge my sweet tooth. I am also pleased to report that I have become a pro at unwrapping onigiri purchased from Café Zaiya (on 41st btw. Mad+5th). I used to love the gravlax club at the AQ Café in the Scandinavia House before it was replaced by the Smorgas Chef, and my friend Kristine and I still cry tears of joy over our memories of the lobster roll and pulled pork sandwiches from our free lunch at The Volstead! [...]
Hope for the Owner this works out.
Hell hath no fury as MT luncher turned away.