Archive for September 24th, 2010

Midtown Links (The “Are You Ready for the Vendys!” Edition)


Will Oleg be raising his arms in triumph tomorrow? We shall see!

Hibernia Brings The Pub, But Not the Grub On This Visit

f you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so every week our Happy Hour Correspondent “Mamacita” will post about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap.

I’ve often passed Hibernia Bar and Grill and noticed the bustling of people and the hum of conversations that seem to lend to a comfortable friendly atmosphere. With the end of warm summer days upon us, I felt it was time I took advantage of their sidewalk patio while I still could to sample their daily food and drink specials. That’s right people, hit up those roof decks, patios and beer gardens while you still can!

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Baoguette Rumormongering: Last month Michael "Bao" Huynh hinted to Eater that plans were in the works for a major Baoguette expansion... and according to a tipster, 3 of those will be in Midtown. One on 41st (btw Lex+3rd), one on 53rd & Lex, and one across from Ma Peche. Not sure if this is in addition to the one planned for GCT, but either way it seems too crazy to be true. (Even for Michael Huynh.)

Flatiron Lunch Extra: Mad. Sq. Mark’t Opens This Weekend

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Amazingly, there’s even more food news in the land of Flatiron Lunch. This weekend the Madison Square Park Conservancy is launching its annual Mad. Sq. Mark’t, a fall collection of shops and vendors set up in and around the park. I never really managed to check it out in years past, but having looked at the food vendors that’ll be on hand, I’m not sure I’ll be eating anywhere else for the next few weeks.

Check out the full list from the organizers after the jump.
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No Matter What Location, XPL Never Disappoints

Midtown Lunch has never been entirely sure if all the Express Power Lunch (XPL) trucks are owned by the same guys, but what we do know is that they’ve been a potent force in the Midtown street meat pantheon.  Not only are they a two time winner for Best Tasting Rice in Street Meat Palooza, but XPL is continually praised for their distinct Indian spices. Everyone knows about the location on the SW Corner of 48th & Park and the truck on 48th & 3rd that serves up the loving with a bean-y spoonful of chickpeas. I thought it was about time I investigated the truck on the corner of 33rd and 6th Ave. Is it the same? I meant to find out.

Meat porn after the jump!

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Uncle Gussy Reminds Everyone That Truck Legality is Still a Gray Area

After yesterday’s incident on 55th Street, the owner of Uncle Gussy’s (an old school Greek vendor on Park and 51st) felt compelled to send us this email:

My name is Nick and I operate Uncle Gussy’s.

I just read your article on what is happening with the food trucks and their issues with other food trucks. I know both Papa and Eddies Pizza (both have excellent pizza) [but yesterday] there was a chaotic scene in Midtown. They both worked things out, for which I am glad they did (Papa has been there for quite a while.) But if trucks start making a circuit out of this area you better believe they will close that street to all vendors, mobile or not.

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Flatiron Lunch: An Early Look at the Newly Open FoodParc

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It seems like there’s a new, big-deal opening in Flatiron-bounds every week these days. If Eataly and Hill Country Chicken weren’t enough to occupy lunchers for the next several weeks, FoodParc brings another huge selection into our midst. The Jeffrey Chodorow-owned venture in the Eventi Hotel was timed perfectly for the high-end food court trend (something I’ve been hoping for since my trip to San Francisco a few months ago).

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No More 50 Cent Hot Dog: We received a tip in the forums that Gray's Papaya (on 38th & 8th) had pulled their sign for 50 cent hot dogs. Distraught, I walked over and confirmed that a hot dog cost $1.50. (That's 3x the sale price people!) Oh well. So much for my recession special.