PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er “Michael”
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 Michael, a PR guy who loves Sinatra but hates generic delis…
Name: Michael
Age: 24
Occupation: Public Relations – Food Blogger – Eating Enthusiast
Where in Midtown do you Work?: The Daily News Building (42nd between 2nd and 3rd Ave)
Favorite Kind of Food: I could spend hours writing my favorites, but some that come to mind are: Italian, Japanese, Kosher/Jewish Deli, and standard American fare (who doesn’t love burgers/fries/dogs/cheese steaks/etc)
Least Favorite Kind of Food: I don’t do Indian… I’ve tried, and just can’t handle it
Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: – The Old Bridge Deli (on Lex btw. 40+41st) is my go-to place. I share a similar sentiment as everyone else… I HATE GENERIC NY DELIS. However, I really find their sandwiches to be fresh and original, the hot/cold bar is clean and appears fresh, and the rolly wraps, which have disappeared of late, are one of midtown’s best lunch options. Boi to Go (on 2nd btw. 42+43rd) is a great quick/healthy option. I go for the Chicken/Soft Rice Noodle/Veggie combo. At Carl’s Steaks (on 3rd Ave. btw. 34+35th). I get the Chicken Steak with all the toppings you could imagine. As close as you can come to Philly in NYC. And Oms/B (on 45th btw. Lex+3rd) for Japanese Rice Balls. I will typically dive into anything with tuna or shrimp.
“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? Pret-a-Manger. It’s good and being located right across the street makes it super-convenient. However, how many chicken/avocado somethings can one person have?
Place(s) you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch? Appreciated the help in sorting through the mess that is the Midtown pizza selection… and knowing that a 5 Guys is in the vicinity will eventually come in handy
If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? I know people often dream up extremely unique locations from every corner of the map, but seriously, is there a better option than an open table at Katz Deli on W. Houston? I wouldn’t need much more than that.
Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? Nothing in particular… just keep the info coming. It’s reassuring to know that there are other people in the area obsessed with sharing information about the best spots to chow.
Us, obsessed? C’mon on now. Us? How do you figure? Oh yeah… right. There’s that. Ok, maybe a little obsessed. As always, if you want to be the next obsessed person Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, or you’d like to nominate somebody in your office email me at zach@midtownlunch.com.
Posted: 12:45 pm, February 24th, 2009 under PROFILE: Midtown Lunch'er.
62 Comments | RSS comments feed for this post
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62 Comments
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Concise, to the point, not overly wordy and with good taste.
I like it. Good profile. -
I like the sweater!!
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Is that a Seiko?
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thats an old navy/gap sweater, not exactly something to wear when you’re trying to impress
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I want to pinch his cheeks and make him eat tandoori.
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You can’t even eat naan? Naan…is just bread (with some yogurt and stuff), but it’s just bread.
Even curry? It’s like so sad. =( Well, at least you got to try it before you claim that you couldn’t eat it. I can appreciate that much.
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wow, thought this was about eating and not wardrobe. I would have had professional headshots taken if I’d have known…
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You have to admit…that’s a pretty interesting sweater…to say the least.
I propose the next person not wear anything and then that way no one comment on their clothes. =)
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Argyle is a classic, hardly something that should cause such an outrage on a food blog especially.
Just because someone doesn’t like Indian, it shouldn’t discredit their overall love for foods. Even the most famous critics and food writers have certain things they don’t like.
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Isn’t he a bit too beefy to have that arrogant look on his face?
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i mean is it really that interesting? it’s a sweater.
oh and HungryAnon, i have had the naan and yes, it was very good. Overall, Indian cuisine is just not for me. i have tried multiple dishes and am yet to find one I truly enjoy.
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Do I spy a bit of Bromancing in that pic?
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Aww… I love Argyle sweaters. Am I a total nerd? Shit, don’t answer that!!!
HungryAnon, you are sooo right. We need naked ML profilers. STAT!
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another post, another bit of blather from DocChuck. Great.
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Mikey – you’re perfectly dressed….. for a food blogger
Just make sure the gent behind you doesn’t get both his hands on your shoulders
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Great comments – I’d love to take him out for some Indian ;)
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Michael, I’m taking it that cuisines such as Mexican and Lebanese are not your faves either. Don’t worry. Know tons of people who hate Indian food (although I can’t imagine why), and they don’t seem to be a huge fan of cuisines where you’ve got a lot of cumin being used. There’s still a lot of other cuisines out there.
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“Mikey – you’re perfectly dressed….. for a food blogger
Just make sure the gent behind you doesn’t get both his hands on your shoulders”
Have worlds collided? I may be agreeing with “wayne…”
I might add that you probably shouldn’t let the gent behind you –who is drinking a cocktail with a STRAW– run his hands through your furrow of hair. It might cut him.
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Chubby Jude Law.
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Hey DocChuck,
What does second team mean? I think you meant to write second STRING, or possibly the JV. Either way you messed that reference up.
Michael,
You, Dre, and I will do Indian next week and find something you might like. Maybe this thread of fashion critics can get over their disgruntled jealousy and suggest some dishes for you to try.
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I love that picture. And I know how you love eat!
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Oops, I meant love TO eat!
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….and even more DocChuck blather. Great.
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My favorite Indian food is Lamb Saag, or Saag Paneer. It’s just fried up spinachy cheese stuff, so you might like it.
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Dearest dentonmd:
‘Tis a shame you are unfamiliar with my reference. You must have been in the AV Club in high school.
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Hey DocChuck,
If you’re going to criticize someone for their fashion sense, you ought to look better than them and don’t link up to you MySpace page which shows you’re overweight and old.
Crocodile Dundee called and he wants his hat back!
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DocChuck what year did you go to school where they actually had an AV club?
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The Onion Av Club?
http://www.avclub.com/ -
DocChuck
at least he has hair to run fingers thru!
Isn’t this supposed to be about food? -
Best intro to Indian food would be Tandoori. It’s just grilled.
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why does everyone insist on responding to DocChuck? it would pain him so if we all just ignored him. can we try that PLEASE!
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Right on Michael! BOO INDIAN FOOD! BOO!!!! I just dry-heaved thinking about it. Oh wait, I dry heaved because my co-worker smells like a horse’s ass today…literally. I already had to leave the office for two 15 min breaks, in addition to my 1.5 hr lunch, because of her, yes HER, pits! REVOLTING!!!!
I think the sweater is fine, but where is your drink? Don’t tell me you’re one of those sober people!
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where is this Katz deli on w. houston?!? you’re awesome.
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Ha, He thought it was about the food and not the appearance!
The nerve of some people.
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At least that’s not a vodka cran in the background. That would be gay.
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Goats, must you bare you dirty un-indian lovin’ laundry at me AGAIN!
I tell you, it’s over between us. -
Welcome back to my warm snuggly Naan,Mamacita
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Rudy you were my first, my last, my everything. In the words of Barry White.
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Look at all these comments, wow! It’s mostly about the sweater and the distaste of Indian food. I thought the whole point of this Midtown Lunch’er was the food.
Who am I kidding? Mike, if you are in PR, then I suggest you are on the up and up in fashion (lol) and some things are better left unsaid, i.e. your distaste of Indian food. I’m half Indian and feel slightly offended..lol. You should be vague the next time that question is asked.
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I don’t know what the problem is with some of you people. I would KILL for a hunk like Michael. He looks like a REAL man to me and my buddy chiffonade in HOTlanta.
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I’m just keeping it real Mamacita—there are several foods which I abhor, including indian food, ethiopian food, carroway seeds, and cilantro. Just thinking about them makes me want to wretch! These are foods that make me cringe just thinking about them…sh*t, I just yaked on my Keyboard again….
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” I HATE GENERIC NY DELIS. However, I really find their sandwiches to be fresh and original, the hot/cold bar is clean and appears fresh, and the rolly wraps, which have disappeared of late, are one of midtown’s best lunch options.”
I am usually not mean or harsh…but anyone else think he is a douche? I mean his profile was GENERIC to say the least.
I am not sure why people think this was a good profile.
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Apparently Bill Cosby, er Michael, loves Katz’s so much he created a second one on W. Houston. Amazing, no more trekking to the Lower East Side to get me some pastrami.
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dude mike is the man and im sure he wouldnt turn down some fine indian cuisine served to him on a 80’s tuned viola via Boyd Tinsley. ease off on the sweater comments. if you only knew..
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I HATE GENERIC NY DELIS. However, I really find their sandwiches to be fresh and original, the hot/cold bar is clean and appears fresh, and the rolly wraps, which have disappeared of late, are one of midtown’s best lunch options.”
Anyone notice yet the contradiction with the douche bag’s statements??? Anyone????
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Not liking Indian food = not okay. Next!
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those chicken/avocado sandwiches at pret are good!
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hmmm. i do notice the error. yes, let us correct the W. and make it an E…. obv Katz is on E. Houston… apologies for that…
as for me being a douche, Abrain, thanks… i appreciate that…
as for me being generic, well, i work in midtown, it doesn’t get much more generic than that… Old bridge has some quality product… not your standard ‘generic’ nyc corner deli… i find it to be a good/cost effective option near my office. I didn’t know you would take such offense. ha!
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I just love how Abrian has to call this guy Mike a douche just because Mike doesn’t like Indian food. haha I mean, really? Everybody knows its Psychology 101 that you get defensive when somebody else indirectly puts down you, your culture, and everything else you believe in. No go eat some Curry on 6th st you smelly cow!
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Michael is hot and Abrain is jealous, so Abrain starts acting like a 12 year old. Yawn.
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I just love how Abrian has to call this guy Mike a douche just because Mike doesn’t like Indian food. haha I mean, really? Everybody knows its Psychology 101 that you get defensive when somebody else indirectly puts down you, your culture, and everything else you believe in. No go eat some Curry on 6th st you smelly cow!”
If you noticed…I put his statement about generic delis and the apparent contradiction about them having Original offerings. I never mentioned his dislike of indian food. I personally don’t like fillipino food…but i figure where i ate was not up to standard. So i would not mind giving it another shot. It is nice to know that you seem to think you know my origins and background.
So what do you think of my Jewish heritage.??????
I stand by the fact THAT Douche is not a food blogger but just another sheep…who seems to think the generic delis are some culinary innovation.
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Abrain. Why does liking delis make one a douche? Sure, the person may be misguided or inward in terms of their scope of food but that’s pretty small in the worldwide scope of things.
Of all 4,999,993,403 ways there are to be a douche in this world, liking delis isn’t high up on that list.
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I HATE GENERIC NY DELIS. However, I really find their sandwiches to be fresh and original, the hot/cold bar is clean and appears fresh, and the rolly wraps, which have disappeared of late, are one of midtown’s best lunch options.”
My last reply on this issue. Mike, do you see the inherent contradiction in “generic”/”original”.
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Mikey, his million co-workers, generic delis and Abrain –
douche, douches, douches, and douche
Agreed that this profile is douchey at best
mainly because of the SWEATER
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Mike, good profile buddy. Short. To the point. Kudos to enduring the obnoxiousness from certain individuals. It is ok for some people not to like certain cuisines, or in your case, to enjoy deli style sandwiches that some consider “generic.” I applaud your honesty. I have only one contention. I, NOT Carl’s Cheesesteaks,make the best philly cheesesteak in NYC…Unforuntately, i don’t have a food license, so
I can only say trust me when I say this. Otherwise, good job! -
Goats, I like you. But did you just say Carl’s Steaks aren’t the closest thing to Pats or Jim’s in NYC? Sheeee-it.
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Frankly, I find “Michael” and his affected hairstyle, garish sweater set and pedestrian taste in food to be entirely forgettable.
You can do better, Zach.
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My friend Wags: I slaved over cheesesteaks during the Super Bowl, and went against Carl’s… Mine won. hands Down. Not even close. My friend ate 3….That is 3 feet of cheesesteak (each sandwich was about a foot). Of course, I used prime rib eye, sliced on my own deli slicer, went to an italian bakery to get the bread, b/c that’s how I roll…but I swear on the life of Abrain mine are even closer to PAtt’s.Tony luc’s than Carl’s are….
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Anonymous above is me…
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Goats, I will reinstate my stalking if you make me one of these cheesesteaks ;-P
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This guy is OK in my book because we both chose Katz’s as our dream location for work.
My dearest “Michael,”
Son, that sweater, it’s … well, it’s a cry for help. I am a PhD in psychology, if that interests you.
Frankly, it’s hard to take someone who “can’t handle” Indian food and eats at Pret “too often” seriously. Although you redeemed yourself to some extent through your love of rice balls.
Methinks Zach may be resorting to the second team here …