PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er “Yaniv”

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 it’s Yaniv, a software designer who hates Pret and misses Pick-a-Pita.

Name: Yaniv

Age: 37

Occupation: Education Software Designer

Where in Midtown do you work? Pearson, 37th and 7th Ave.

Favorite Kind of Food: Spicy, unusual, only-in-new-york, cheap

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Boring sandwiches, Pret a Manger

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Achari paneer rolls at Kati Roll (on 39th btw. 5+6th). Hot wings lunch special at Bon Chon (on 38th btw. 7+8th). Pastrami on rye at Ben’s Kosher Deli (on 38th btw. 7+8th). Hot tofu ramen soup at Sapporo (on 49th btw. 6+7th). Cheeseburger and beer at Keen’s (on 36th btw 5+6th). Italian hero at Shamas Deli (under the parking garage on 38th btw. B’way+7th). And for a splurge, oysters on the half shell at The Oyster Bar in Grand Central. For dessert, the by-the-pound M&M bar at the M&M shop in Times Square.

“Go-To” Lunch Place You and Your Coworkers Eat at Too Often? Pret a Manger (Sigh.) Worlds most boring lunch, but they are fast and sometimes speed comes first. My colleagues and I joke that Pret is a “lunch fail” – the place where you go when you’ve shirked your lunch duties.

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch It’s closed now, but I really loved Pick-A-Pita on 8th Ave. They had a killer chicken shawarma platter. Midtown lunch gave me the tip when it was still in the basement of that weird building on 38th street. Since that’s not an option any more, I have to go with Kati Roll.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Probably Hong Kong so I could sit on the street and eat amazing noodles and weird seafood and pork products and drink a cold beer and watch the city unfurl.

Anything you’d like to ask the midtown lunch readers? Good tips for a non-cheesy, not-too-crowded after work bar. Our goto place, the Spanish Taverna, has sadly closed down. R.I.P. amigos.

If you’ve got a recommendation for Yaniv, put it in the comments. And 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.

14 Comments

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    You’d have to walk a bit east, but Silverleaf Tavern on 38th and Park has happy hour until 7pm. It’s nice without being stuffy and never crowded.

    $2-4 food (parmasean truffle fries are amazing)
    $5 Well Drinks
    $5 Red and White house wines
    $5 Domestic Bottled Beers

  • who’s that dude with the shaved head, jeans and sunglasses standing to the right of you Yaniv?

    It’s gotten a lot of mentions on this website but I always like the Pig and Whistle on 47th St.

  • FREAKS OF THE WEEK

  • When did Spanish Taverna close? That’s sad.

    There’s another Pig and Whistle, just off 7th on 36th (we’re practically neighbors -I’m in the same area).

  • RIP Pick-A-Pita 4eva

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    Don Antonio on 5th between 8th and 9th has a little bar area and the food is great. and it’s hard to beat Rudy’s at 9th and 44th. They now has free hebrew national hot dogs!

  • I am waiting for someone to come and say, so what do you think about frozen peas. cracks me up every time I think about it.

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    I work at literally the same location (37&7) and this area sucks…though we have found a few decent spots.
    – Best Bagel: 35th between 7th & 8th
    – Soup Spot: 31st between 7th & 8th
    – Cafe Del Sol: I know it looks generic, but it’s fast and actually pretty good (steam plate, salad & udon)

    Pig and whistle is kind of crowded after work…their food is actually pretty solid though.

  • Yaniv! drendar! We’re neighbors! I think you’re literally two doors down from me on 37th.

    What’s the word on that kosher place with the shawarma on Broadway? I keep wanting to try it.

    You guys also need to hit up Troy Turkish for doner kebab – it’s on 9th but on Seamless, they deliver to our neck of the woods. Also if you want to easily break the $10 ML limit ($9 on average but add in tax and tip) but have an amazing, AMAZING sandwich, Sergimmo’s Salumeria on 9th between 35th/36th (I think) is worth the time and money.

    No love for Tabata Ramen?

    • User has not uploaded an avatar

      MJP: howdy neighbor :)

      Whoaaaa!!! I’ve never heard of Tabata Ramen….I may go there today :)

      Haven’t ventured too much into the turkish or kosher. I’ve heard that Sergimmo’s is incredible…will add to the queue!

      • If noodle soup is your thing, do not – DO NOT – miss Main Noodle House. MLers have extolled its virtues for a very, very good reason. Cheap, fast delivery, low credit card minimums, and seriously delicious. Roast pork and wonton soup will fill you up, or if you want the itis, they’ll add noodles for 50 cents.

        Also noodle soup worthy: Aura Thai’s duck broth and roast duck noodle soup. I can’t speak for their actual Thai food but this soup is beyond amazing.

    • User has not uploaded an avatar

      Went to Tabata last week…huge hit with me, and coworkers. Definitely will check out Main Noodle House and Aura…I’ve been there before, but thought they were just ok – I like Thai Select much better (for the actual thai food). :)

      Thanks again!

  • Personally, after work I like to kick back at home. Open a bag of frozen peas right from the freezer, put my feet up and watch Jeopardy.

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