Hester Nights and More Openings Hit the Flatiron

Here’s a bit of Flatiron Lunch news before we lay this week’s review on you…

In not quite Midtown Lunch, Flatiron Lunch or Any Lunch news, but general good news, Hester Street Fair is teaming with Eventi Hotel, the hotel that gives much love to food with FoodParc (I just googled and it is now closed!?!? How did I miss this?), BeerParc and New York City Food and Wine Festival, among others, to present Hester Nights. Every Thursday night starting last night, May 24 [UPDATE: Due to rain, opening date postponed to May 31], they will present an outdoor market in the outdoor plaza behind the Eventi. I thought about trying to go last night to take a photo, but, honestly, the artist’s rendering with cop car out front is such a better visual. Vendors include Pies ‘n’ Thighs!!!! (Okay, there are others, like Little Muenster, Luke’s Lobster, La Sonrisa, Mimi & Coco, Bombay Sandwich Co, Schnitz, Purple Yam, Bian Dang, Good Eats To Go, Anderson’s 1949 Brooklyn, La Newyorkina, Prohibition Bakery, Iron Curtain.)

Hester Nights, Eventi Open Air Plaza – 851 6th Avenue btw 29 and 30 Streets, Event Hotel Number (212) 564-4567


Changes are coming to one small block of Curry Hill (Lexington between 28 and 27), and both seem to have ML-budget friendly choices! Chote Nawab has put up a new awning in the space formerly occupied by Ay Kitchen, a Turkish restaurant that I never had the chance to try, although of course, now, I wish I had. Chote Nawab already has a full website up and running that says they will be opening on Monday, May 28. The website also has a full lunch menu! Personally, I am looking forward to trying the lamb saag lunch box to go which includes dal, rice and bread (hopefully, naan) for $9. Also, the meat kabab platter with saag, dal, naan, rice, and raita for $10 looks like it could be a winner.

Chote Nawab, 115 Lexington Avenue (btw 28 and 27), (212) 679-4603, opening May 28

Just a little bit down the block, it looks like Kathi Rolls AKA Kathi Rolls by Kebab Factory has been replaced by Desi Galli. Kathi Rolls by Kebab Factory was well liked by Clay in 2010. I always thought that they were substantial, but didn’t quite match the flavors of Kati Roll (West 39 btw 5 and 6 Aves, and now East 53 btw 3 and 2 Aves.) Desi Galli opened this month with Kathi/Kati rolls on the menu in the form of signature rolls and make-your-own. To distinguish themselves from the previous tenant, Desi Galli offers a small menu of appetizer or snack size dishes for $3.29. They also upgraded to a new snazzier décor.

Desi Galli, 101 Lexington Avenue (btw 28 and 27), (212) 683-2282

I have also been closely watching the developments at the space formerly occupied by Larosh, a perpetually empty Indian buffet spot, at 27 East 29th Street. Several weeks ago, I noticed brown craft paper in the window and a new shiny red awning that says “Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant”. Just reading the awing made my mouth start to water with the thought of spongy ingera bread covered with small piles of different Ethiopian dishes. There is another Lalibela in Mt. Kisco, NY, but they do not seem to be related. A quick google reveals that the name Lalibela is the name of a town in Northern Ethiopia. No word yet on ML-friendly prices, but we will post when we know more.

Lalibela, 27 East 29 Street (btw Park and Madison Aves), no phone yet, not yet open

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