PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er “Michael Psilakis” PLUS a Lamb Cookbook Giveaway

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. In addition to being a long time fan of Kefi (on the Upper West Side), it’s no secret that I’m also a huge fan of the lamb burger at Anthos on 52nd btw. 5+6th. So I’m incredibly honored to welcome this week’s Profiled Midtown Lunch’er, Chef Michael Psilakis… PLUS we have a copy of his new cookbook “How To Roast a Lamb” to give away at the end of the profile.

Name: Michael

Age: 41

Occupation: Chef/Owner of Anthos, Kefi, Gus & Gabriel and Eos in Miami, FL.

Where in Midtown do you Work?: I float around to all of my restaurants constantly, but am mostly on the Upper West Side at Kefi in our offices up there.

Favorite Kind of Food: I appreciate any and all types of food, but if I had to pick one it would definitely have to be Greek food… or pizza.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: That’s impossible! I do not have one, does not exist.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: I love the cheeseburger at the Burger Joint (on 56th btw. 6+7th.) That place is like an oasis with neon signage. Another place I really enjoy, that is out of ML’s price range but worth a splurge, is Esca (on 43rd and 9th) for the whole grilled fish. It doesn’t matter what type of fish, you know when you go there it’s always fresh and doused with really, really good olive oil.

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? The basket of hot bread waiting to be taken out by our waiters for bread service. What? We’re busy!

Place(s) you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch? I can’t say that I have, unfortunately. I am always keeping an eye on Greek spots though and think I might check out this Uncle Nick’s and Poseidon Bakery over on 9th Avenue.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Greece, no question. The produce that is grown under that sun is just superb. I would sauté up some vegetables in a little extra virgin olive oil from Crete with some roasted whole fish or lamb. That’s heaven.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? Wow man that’s a great question. Thank you. I don’t think anyone’s ever asked me that before. I think I am most curious about your readers’ mentality when it comes to their own definition of value in these tough times. Is value a casual meal from a Michelin-starred chef for $50 as opposed to $250? Or is it spending $2.50 on a souvlaki from a street vendor? And are they willing to travel that extra five or ten blocks, or take that subway ride for something cheaper than what’s around the corner, or are they traveling for the higher quality meal at the same price point? I’m really looking forward to reading what you all have to say.

All of the above as far as I’m concerned. This site is all about value! And traveling distances to find the best meal, as long as it’s under $10. I feel like nobody should have to pay more for a decent lunch (dinner is a different story!)

Alright on to business… want to win a copy of Michael’s new cookbook “How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking”? Just make a comment below and you’re entered to win. Either answer Michael’s question about what your idea of value is, or comment about something else (say, your favorite Greek dish in New York City) and you’re automatically entered to win. A winner will be drawn a week from today at Noon (on 11/30.)

And as always if you would like to be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er (or know somebody you’d like to nominate), email me at zach@midtownlunch.com.

85 Comments

  • To me, value is based on satisfaction. I have gotten things for free but didn’t enjoy it. No value there. I’ve paid top dollar for some of the best food I’ve had in my life. Value there.

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    Sorry but nobody does Greek better than my yiayia in greece!! hehe…but if I HAD to go greek I’d just rather cook at home or go to Astoria for a cheaper meal than most places in the city. Much less fuss and I don’t have to spend more than 50 dollars for a good dinner.

  • To me value is a lunch that is inexpensive but actually tastes good, which is what this website is all about really. In Midtown you get what you pay for and a $6 or $7 lunch in one of these deli’s is not going to taste very good. So when I do find a diamond in the rough, I am very loyal, ie: Carnegie John. I am willing to walk 3-4 avenue blocks, or 8-9 street blocks for something good.

  • Why is his head on upsidedown?

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    Lamb…mmm

  • Ps- Greeks representin’ today ;)

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    Value to me is getting more/better than you expect for the amount that is being charged. So whether its a michelin starred restaurant is charging $50 instead of $250 or if I can get a good gyro sandwich for $3, I am pretty happy either way.

    For lunch though I try to keep it under $10 but occasionally splurge. And it should be within a 15 minute walk of my office.

  • Best non Asian female ml profile ever. Value is so hard to pin down as it can exist on many levels. I have figured out that I can get a free Big Buford at Checkers by calling a 1-800 number and answering questions. At the same time, I may splurge on a pair of $200 shoes that are slightly reduced. Value is truly in the eye of the beholder. So long as you leave the experience not feeling ripped off in anyway.

  • Value is a personal judgement that is different for everyone. It is walking away from an experience and being able to say “That was really well worth it and more….”

    The price point will depend on each person’s personal economic conditions and what they would be willing to pay for something at full price. If they can get it for less, they perceive value.

    What was a value for me when I made a lower hourly wage is a very different value for me now…

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    As a poor recent college grad, I find value in any food that a) doesn’t break the bank and b) isn’t instant ramen.

    Oh, I am *so* sick of ramen.

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    Is the book confined to just roasting lamb?

    Because that lamb burger I had at the Gourmet Pop-Up two years ago still lingers in my mind….awesome!

    I made a reasonable facsimile with ground lamb, garlic, fresh rosemary and mint from the garden that was close but still…..

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    To me, it’s all about expectations and delivery. If you are the Famous Halal Guys serving up $5 street meat that tastes better than all the $10 deli lunches out there, that’s value. If you are a much better meal that costs $50 but really only feels like a $30 meal, that’s not value.

    Kefi, now that was value. I used to go more than once a month in the old spot. The new spot was good in the beginning, but I’ve been going back at longer and longer intervals and the quality keeps continuing to drop. What happened to the cohesiveness of the rabbit pasta and the tenderness of the sheeps’ milk dumplings? It was my favorite restaurant in the city for the value… now… not so much. Sad face.

  • value is providing what people want at lower price then what they expect for higher. Make your next place a little hole in the wall in a loading dock entrance and serve some really awsome greek street food. The more off the beaten path, as long as its good it will seem like extra value.

  • My perceptions of value haven’t changed from when I was making $5/hr, or for what I’m making now. The only thing that has changed is my willingness (and ability to afford) to look past value for other things (experience, image, etc).

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    Value can be a $175 11-course feast at Eleven Madison Park or a $2.50 lamb burger at the Xi-an stall in Golden Mall.

    And the idea that lunch has to be cheap is ridiculous. A lunch at Jean-Georges is far a better value than a McDonalds extra value meal.

  • I’m sick of the word value.

  • ps-
    This guy looks JUST like Michael Symon except MS’s patch of facial hair is a little higher.

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    Quite a novelty to have a non-Asian, non-female slip through to be ML’er of the week. In “these tough times” it’s not so much about value as it is going someplace that I know I’m going to get something good. So it’s not so much about price as it is about good food. Lately I’ve been definitely less willing to take a risk on a new place unless I can triagulate its “goodness” through ML and by word of mouth. By the way, I find Zagat to be mostly unreliable.

  • $2.50 on a souvlaki from a street vendor? I wish. Who’s selling it for 2.50? HAHA. I can get a lamb on pita at XPL for 3. A good lunch deal doesn’t always mean value though. Maybe if it was a much healthier sandwich, say at Pret, but for 2.50-3 (Yea, not going to happen but that’s value to me).

    I’m willing to walk further out for halal/ street meats and travel if food is ridiculously good and cheap. Otherwise, XPL gets my default.

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    I thought it was Michael Symon too!

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