“Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, foodies differ from gourmets in that gourmets are epicures of refined taste who may or may not be professionals in the food industry, whereas foodies are amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news.[1] Gourmets simply want to eat the best food, whereas foodies want to learn everything about food, both the best and the ordinary, and about the science, industry, and personalities surrounding food.”

Zach, in this case, is the foodie. As such, he endeavors to explore the totality of the midtown lunching experience. ML provides the perfect cross section of the experience of eating lunch in midtown- the workers, the delis, the hidden finds, the carts, the openings, the closings, “the best and the ordinary.” I like ML precisely because it is not *just* about the food, but also about the experience of lunching in midtown, an experience of which Matt (and other flamed lunch’ers whom I’ve previously defended) is an indisputable part.

That would be the equivalent of going to a Star Wars fansite and refusing to watch the first 3 original films b/c they’re too ‘old’ or something.

You would get flamed until next millennium.
Same when you go to a foodie site. It does provide diversity, but what do you think is going to happen?

Matt – I’d also recommend Won Dee Siam. How are things at 30 rock?