Midtown Lunch

Bobby Flay showed up at the Jamaican Dutchy (on 51st and 7th) this morning with cameras in tow. Apparently he has an escoviche throwdown planned for next Friday, and enlisted O’Neil at the Dutchy to give him some pointers. This isn’t he first time Bobby Flay has gone to a Midtown Lunch cart for help. Apparently he got assistance from the Kwik Meal cart for his falafel battle against Taim (although I haven’t been able to track down video of it!)

Related:
Bobby Flay Throws Down With the Dessert Truck
Gold Medalist Usain Bolt Visits the Jamaican Dutchy Cart!

I know I promised that I wouldn’t post about the newly opened Famous Dave’s BBQ ever again… but apparently Midtown lunchers are interested, because a bunch of you went on opening day.  A few reports came in, telling two very different stories:

Photo Courtesy of Tasty Eating

“I went to the grand opening of Famous Dave’s BBQ on 47th and 7th Avenue today at 1:30pm. First, it wasn’t very crowded at all. Not a good sign. Next, the waitress took forever. Even the water and soda took a good 10-15 minutes. The food took a little longer. I had the Regular Ribs (4 ribs St Louis style) and it comes with a corn bread muffin (just okay), corn on the cob (dry), and 2 sides: mac n cheese (nice spicy kick) and fries (mediocre). The ribs were meaty but the flavor wasn’t really there. I didn’t really detect any long smoking flavor. It all came from the sauce. I thought I could make the same at home. My dish was $13. In all cases, it was just mediocre. Even their famous cradle of 5 BBQ sauces were mediocre. I’d would actually rather walk a couple of avenues to reach Daisy May’s ribs. Oh and my companions got the brisket, beef tips, and chopped pork. All very mediocre. Oh well, what did I really expect? -Hungry”

Yeah, none of that is really a surprise. You knew they weren’t actually going to be able to smoke meat in that space on 47th and 7th. And it’s opening day, so complaints about service are kind of unfair.

A trio of Midtown Lunch’ing dudes seemed to enjoy it though, but the amount of money they spent on lunch is downright shocking.

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Madeleine, the sweet French lady who makes Brittany crepes in the Cyber Cafe (on 49th btw. B’way+8th), posted this comment on Midtown Lunch yesterday:

“Hi this is “Madeleine the crepe lady” I am still at Cyber Cafe. Turns out the cyber cafe will not be turning into a hotel. So come and enjoy my crepes.”

Who said old ladies don’t know how to use the internet! I guess she has learned a thing or two working in the Cyber Cafe. It does seem like a good day for a crepe.

Not in the mood for a crepe, Cyber Cafe has added a new item to the menu.

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Midtown Lunch friend (and contributor) Kathy YL Chan from A Passion for Food noticed this little bit news on Chowhound yesterday: Financier Patisserie will be opening a new location in Midtown East on 1st Avenue and 54th Street.  First Ave. is a bit of a hike for most Midtown Lunchers, but it’s ok… because we just got this even bigger news from the source:  F.P. has two new Midtown locations in the works, and the 2nd one is going to be in the Fox News Building on 6th Ave. btw. 47+48th.  It will be a boutique location, like the one in World Financial Center Downtown, and will carry their famous tarts, cakes, and pastries, plus sandwiches, salads, and more… and from the looks of the menu on their website, everything is under $10.  According to Kathy, “nothing is like OMG CRAZY GOOD, but everything is like really good (if that makes sense.)” No word yet on when either location will open.

Financier Patisserie (coming soon)

• 983 First Avenue (at 54th Street)
• 1211 Sixth Avenue (at 48th Street)

Photo courtesy of The Girl Who Ate Everything (Robyn Lee)

via Twitter:

Answer: Right after I finish my lunch the day before.

The Moshe’s Falafel truck that has been parked in Union Square for the past 6 months has given up on that spot and moved to 57th and Broadway.  According to the guys running the 2nd truck, business started off ok but has tapered off significantly during the winter.  So this week they decided to try out the NW corner of Midtown.  They haven’t settled on a permanent spot as of yet, but plan on being somewhere near 57th and Broadway every day starting around Noon.  Yesterday they were on Broadway btw. 56+57th on the West side of the street, and have already started to draw a crowd.

It’s been awhile since I’ve eaten at the Moshe’s Cart, so I decided to re-sample the goods…

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Thanks to Lunch’er Larry for forwarding along the photo

Just when you thought Thai Nam (on 45th btw. Lex+3rd) couldn’t get any worse… they’ve added sushi!  And changed their name to Chef’s Secret!  Which means that now this place serves *3* cuisines that are different from their own nationality (I’m pretty sure they’re Chinese, but don’t quote me on that.)

Related:
Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures: Thai Nam

This is actually kind of cool… Question #29 in Time Out New York’s quiz to determine how much of a food snob you are:

You get your lunch from cheap street carts…

a) as much as you can. Last year you were front row at the Vendys.
b) never. Those things are filthy!
c) only on a Friday when you’re down to your last $5.
d) if Midtown Lunch says you should.

You get maximum food snob points (3) for choosing A or D. Nice.  Take the full quiz here

I got a peak inside Famous Dave’s BBQ (on 47th btw. 6+7th) yesterday, and it looks pretty damn scary like they are ready to go. (It’s as if Brother Jimmy’s and TGI Friday’s collided into each other going 100 mph.) Very exciting! For all you fans out there (and I know you exist), tomorrow is the big grand opening. And, for Midtown Lunch I think this is the end of the line… unless business is slow and they decide to introduce an under $10 lunch special (or give out free food!)