PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er (and Vendy Citizen Judge) “Zeina”

Every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week we’re excited to welcome Zeina, the lucky winner of the Vendy Citizen Judge slot. On September 23rd she’ll get to join the distinguished Vendy Award judging panel (which includes Writer John T. Edge & Eatocracy’s Kat Kinsman, and she just so happens to be a Midtown Luncher as well!

Name: Zeina

Age: 27

Occupation: Media Manager

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Conde Nast, Times Square

Favorite Kind of Food: Depends on my mood. My go-to is Indian – ANY type; kati rolls, dosas,
biryani, curries, you name it. My comfort food is Japanese Ramen or Lebanese lebneh with manaeesh, and when I go out I like to indulge in Farm-to-Table concoctions. And I’ve never said no to a good grilled cheese!

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Pay-by-the-pound Chinese

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Kati Roll Company (on 39th btw. 5+6th) for paneer roll or aloo unda roll, and The Biryani Cart (on 46th btw. 6+7th) for chicken biryani.

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? Green Symphony (on 43rd btw. 7+8th) – a Korean-run deli with great mandoo and rice bowls on their menu that are easy to miss (best to order for pick up). My coworkers and I religiously get the Tofu Mania and Dalai Lama, and occasionally the Bacon Bowl (think BLT and kimchi on rice).

Place(s) you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch? Ambrosia (on 45th btw. 5+6th) for Bi Bim Bop

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? North Shore Oahu – everyday the lunch trucks line up along the beach to serve fresh deconstructed sushi bowls, grilled fish with coconut and ahi poke softer than butter. So good it trumps the views and smell of salty ocean in the air.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? Any recommendations for the best Banh-Mi near Times Square?

Got an answer for Zeina? Put it in the comments. And if you want to go to the Vendy Awards your chances are running out. General Admission tickets are sold out, but there are a limited number of early admission tickets left (as well as some “sponsorship” opportunities.) As always, if you want to be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er (or know somebody you’d like to nominate) email editor@midtownlunch.com.

4 Comments

  • Try the Chicken Biryani at the Trini-Pak cart on 43rd and 6th. It’s Pakistani style, so it’s spicier and the ingredients are more blended together. I think it rocks over the Biryani Cart.

  • I don’t think she asked for Biryani did she? Mediocre choices at Boi to Go, Chicken House on 36th btw 7th and 8th. Any idea who’s wrecking the toilets in the Conde Nast building? How as the earthquake? lol

  • is everyone on vacation or did midtown bosses collectively realize what a time sink this website is and blocked it?

    p.s. the bimbimbap at global kitchen on 52nd b/w 5/6 was surprisingly decent. It comes with ok miso soup(non-dehydrated tofu) and runs less than $10.

  • FREAK OF THE WEEK

    The “Warrior Princess” edition

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