Midtown Lunch

You guys had a lot to say about the news that Bruegger’s bagels was planning on opening stores in Manhattan… and the CEO has responded in the comments: “I am the CEO of Bruegger’s and would like to respond. As for research, these comments confirmed our the work we did – Manhattanites are very opinionated about bagels. This is why we are not looking to displace your local favorites by entering neighborhood locations. (Though I am familiar with H&H and Ess-a-bagel and am not conceding that they are better.) As for our product we make our own fresh dough, boil and bake in each location in small batches so the bagels are fresh and hot. Our bagels have won “best of” awards year after year in cities across the country. We don’t believe bagels (or, for that matter, any food) should be “oversized”. We pride ourselves on offering healthy, wholesome food, in a warm, inviting atmospere with great guest service. And while we are known for our bagels we offer much more – sandwiches and paninis , hearty soups, fresh tossed salads, organic and fair trade coffee and desserts. Though we are new to Manhattan we have over 30 locations in New York State. We hope we will be as welcomed in Manhattan.”

When you guys speak, rich important people listen!

If you are a big fan of bakeries, Midtown would probably not be your first choice of places to be stuck 40 hours a week. Lower East Side, East Village, Soho, hell, anywhere would probably be better than here. (Though we do have 28 locations of Crumbs!) But don’t curl up into a sugar deprived ball just yet. Some of the best non-Midtown bakeries have items shipped to various shops in Midtown… and who better to uncover the best ones than our contributor, and baked goods expert, Kathy YL Chan (from A Passion for Food.) Here is her list of favorites, along with the location in Midtown you can find them. (Note: some places have multiple locations with a rotating list of sweets. You won’t be guaranteed to find each of these items at all locations on all days… but it’s still a good guide to get you started.)

Two Little Red Hens

• Actual Bakery Location: 1652 2nd Ave (btw. 85+86th), UES
• Favorite Item: Brooklyn Blackout Cake

This dark and luscious number never fails to leave me intoxicated in a sugar coma, post-consumption. Regardless, I return to it over and over again. And no, there are never regrets. Tiers of chocolate cake layered with chocolate pudding, finished off with frosting and a smattering of cake crumbs. Too sweet? Of course! But in just the right ways that you would expect and want. Where to get it in Midtown: Dean & Deluca

Sage General Store

• Actual Bakery Location: 24-20 Jackson Ave., Long Island City
• Favorite item: Carrot Cake Cupcake

The girls over at Lunch Studio have already spilled wonders on this oversized cupcake creation. Carrot cake and a smother of whipped cream cheese frosting. Simple and classic, no surprises here, just pleasure all around. Where to get it in Midtown: Dean & Deluca

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Last week, before I hit up the OTB I slipped into Hing Won (on 48th btw. 5+6th) for a bowl of their “famous” shredded pork and Chinese pickle noodle soup.  I’m a huge fan of Hing Won, and have been there a ton of times (it was the very first post on Midtown Lunch almost 3 years ago), but this was actually the first time I had tried the soup that the New York Times highly praised years and years ago (the article still hangs in the window.)  When I recommended it to yesterday’s profiled luncher, Lunch’er Dan L. had this to say in the comments:

Hing Won’s pickle noodle soup is overrated. It’s good, but almost everything at Hing Won is pretty good, and the pickle noodle soup doesn’t really stand out to me.

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Got a surprising number of worried emails and comments over the past few days wondering where the Happy Well Being House cart (on 50th btw. 6+7th), has been.  They responded yesterday: “Hi all!! This is ‘Happy Well Being House.’ We’ll be back tomorrow on wed. We got into trouble with the vending car. It had been broken and we tried to fix it up but it took time a lot. So we will work with the old vending car for little while. The food will be same anyway and we’ll make sandwiches too.”  Sandwiches, huh?  That should be interesting…

Related:
Happy Well Being Cart is New Contender For Best Fried Fish in Midtown
Happy Well Being House is Related to Downtown Korean BBQ Cart
6th Ave. is Gearing Up for a Bulgogi Cart War

Yesterday a concerned luncher commented that Menupages had Bombay Bistro, the newish all you can eat Indian buffet on 52nd btw. 3rd+Lex, listed as closed. Well, no need to worry, I walked by yesterday and they are 100% open. They have changed their phone number from the one they opened with (it’s now 212-593-5425), and the owners used to own Diwan (on 48th St.) which *is* closed, so that’s probably where the confusion happened. It would have been a huge disappointment (and surprise) if this new standout Indian buffet had closed months after it had opened. Rest easy my gluttonous friends… all is right with the world.

Related:
Diwan’s Manager Opens His Own Indian Buffet

The Primavera from Certe (on 55th btw. 5+6th)

Last week was it for Certe’s third entry in the Midtown Lunch Sandwich Challenge, the Primavera.  If you missed out on this amazing sandwich, I’m sorry.  I feel bad I didn’t remind everybody last week when there was still time to go enjoy it.  I feel doubly bad because a Lunch’er tried to get one yesterday- only to be disappointed (especially because they had left the sign up for the sandwich despite not having it.)  Certe had this to say in response:

“We were unsure as to whether or not we should have a May lunch special and this led to our lack of communication about The Primavera ending. That being said, we didn’t want to over-stay in the “Sandwich Challenge” and keep entering sandwiches each month if it seems we have entered too many. What would you suggest? We are happy to offer a Sirloin Mexican Torta sandwich for the Month of May, as we really do enjoy meeting Midtown Lunch’ers and hearing their feedback each month. Please let us know if you’d like us to submit another entry.”

Now that Papa Perrone has answered my grease truck prayers, I’m tempted to retire the Sandwich Challenge.  I almost feel like there is nothing left to accomplish.  On the other hand, if places are still willing to make awesome sandwiches, I’m still willing to go eat them.  Yay or nay?  What do you guys think?

Related:
Underestimate Certe’s Vegetarian Sandwich at Your Own Risk
Certe’s Bayou Sandwich is All About No Expectations
Certe’s Thanksgiving Dip is the Greatest Sandwich Ever Created

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 meet Janelle, a saxophone playing administrative assistant who might run my new favorite blog: Foodlebrities. Don’t ask, just go check it out… after you read about her love of spicy pickles below.

Name: Janelle

Age: 25

Occupation: Administrative Assistant and Saxophone Player (with a token blog mention)

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 41st & Madison Ave.

Favorite Kind of Food: I’m partial to anything that packs a lot of sodium so Udon, cheap Chinese buffets, Mexican, bento boxes, and anything with pickles or excess vinegar. And, of course, bacon!

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I’m not a fan of the licorice taste in green curries or fermented bean curd (Go Go Curry failed to convince me with a topping coupon). Other than that, I’ll eat it up!

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: The Braised Ma “Paul” Tofu w/ Chili Minced Pork or the Pork Belly w/ Chili Leeks from Szechuan Gourmet (39th b/w 5th and 6th), the Reuben from Homefront Deli (41st b/w Mad and Park), Rollies from Old Bridge Deli R.I.P. (Lex b/w 40th and 41st), Falafel from Olympic Pita (38th b/w 5th and 6th), Chaat from Indus Express (48th b/w 5th and 6th), double-cooked pork bento box lunch special for $4.25 from Café Zaiya (41st b/w 5th and Mad), and the shrimp ceviche from El Ricon Del Sabor (47th b/w 5th and 6th).

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