Archive for February 2013

Papa Perrone Has Gone Brick & Mortar on Staten Island

Hearing about Treehaus’ new Rutgers grease truck sandwich this week gave us a few hunger pangs for the old Papa Perrone truck, which used to park on 55th btw. Madison and 5th. If you miss them too you’ll be happy to know that Papa Perrone has popped up in brick and mortar form in the St. George area ofn Staten Island at 469 St. Marks Place serving flavored riceballs and a variety of dipping sauce as well as other specialty items. Apparently it’s 10 min from the ferry and down the block from where they are building the new court house. I’m not sure if we miss them that much, but if you live on the island or head out there on the weekends you’ll be excited to know you can some riceball love from an old friend.

Papa Perrone’s Riceball Shoppe, 469 Saint Marks Place. Staten Island

Get Soupid: Train in Vain with Penn Station’s Soup Stop

Having zero connection to its similarly-spelled cousin at street level, Soup Stop occupies a corner of that not-quite-as-ugly-as-PABT commuter hell, Penn Station. I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t normally give this place the time of day given that it’s co-located with an outpost of the Chipotle/Qdoba/Baja Fresh competitor Moe’s Southwest Grill and a Jamba Juice wannabe, and doubly so when I know Soup SPOT is approximately 30 seconds away. Still, though, good soup is good soup, no matter its kitchen arrangements. Soup Stop is just that – smaller even than Soup Spot. Is it a connection you want to make from Penn or is it best to take the express elsewhere?

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Nino’s 46 Introduces Cheaper Lunch and To Go Menu

The last time we visited Nino’s 46 (formerly Nino’s Trattoria), it had just reopened and we’ll sheepishly admit that we may have complained a bit about their new, pricier menu. Well they must have been listening, because this week Nino’s 46 began offering a lunch menu that doubles as an all day to-go menu. And we’re pleased to report this new menu has plenty of items under $10. The “Classic Nino’s Heros” include their chicken parm, meatball parm, eggplant parm, shrimp parm, and sausage & peppers, and are all between $7 and $9. Also listed are several salads, sandwiches, and a good selection of breakfast items (that look delicious) for under $10. Thanks Nino’s, we’ll be heading back soon.

Japan Week Will Bring Ekiben To Grand Central In March

Of the various cultural events surrounding Japan Week in March, the most exciting is that ekiben, bento boxes sold at train stations throughout Japan, will be featured as a part of the cultural events held in Grand Central Terminal on March 19-21. A corner of Vanderbilt Hall will be devoted to ekiben, which traditionally contain local specialties from the region they come from. Various NYC restaurants — including a few from Midtown — are providing ekiben that highlight the food from different regions of Japan. Check out a preview of what you can expect on the Japan Week website; no word on pricing, but nonetheless, this should definitely be worth penciling into your calendars.

Second Phil’s Steaks Truck Coming In May

Earlier this week we congratulated Hibachi Heaven on their expanding fleet of trucks, and now big things are coming from the last year’s Vendy Awards Rookie of the Year winner Phil’s Steaks. Yesterday they announced via their twitter account that you can expect to see a second truck hit the streets in May. Not only that, but they will also be serving “phries” as well. Congrats, guys!

At Lunch Now: Free Hot Chocolate Alert

Thanks to our old friend Danny from Food in Mouth for passing along this one… in the basement of Rock Center, near the windows looking out on the Rink Bar, they’re doing something called “A Taste of Cocoa”. Apparently Potbelly, ‘wichcraft, Bill’s Bar & Burgers, and Bouchon Bakery are all handing out free samples of hot chocolate.  He says that they’ll be there until 5pm.

Treehaus is Doing An Ode to the Rutgers Grease Trucks

Treehaus, the newish upscale deli on 3rd Ave. btw. 50+51st, has run with the Midtown Lunch sandwich challenge in a way we haven’t seen since Cer Te busted onto the ML scene a few years ago. Two weeks ago it was the buffalo chicken wrap, followed by a Mexican chicken sandwich. But their latest creation is the one we’re most excited about. All this week they’re serving an ode to the Rutgers Grease Truck “Fat Cat”, which means chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, and french fries all in a hero roll with lettuce, tomato, smoked mozzarella and marinara. It’s not the first Rutgers Grease Truck to be served in Midtown, but the last one was almost three years ago so we’re pretty happy to welcome back this new version with open arms. Early adopters, let us know how it is in the comments.

Blue Flowers Cafe Will Reopen in March

A concerned Midtown Luncher wrote to us last week mentioning that another great bagel place, Blue Flowers Cafe, looked like it was being completely gutted. Was Blue Flowers Cafe done for like Times Square Hot Bagel and Vic’s Bagel Bar? When we stopped by to investigate, we noticed a sign saying the *new* Blue Flowers Cafe will be coming in March. Crisis averted. Although we haven’t posted much about this cafe in the past, perhaps its renovation is a good excuse to explore further…

PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er “Alisha”

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 Alisha, a digital sales planner whom we offer without comment.

Name: Alisha

Age: 27

Occupation: Digital Sales Planner, TheWeek.com and mental_floss

Where in Midtown do you work? Midtown (next to Bryant Park)

Favorite Kind of Food: Burgers

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Asian (YUP I SAID IT)

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Manganaro’s Hero-Boy (on 9th btw. 37+38th) makes the best and biggest Italian heroes. My usual is the chicken parm which comes with homemade potato chips. I also love Heartland’s HB Burger in Times Square (on 43rd btw. B’way+6th) for burgers and beer outings with friends. If you want to walk a bit out of the way, then go to Waldy’s on 27th and 6th for flatbread pizza, and ya know what? The cafeteria at Macy’s is not a bad choice if you’re in a crunch!

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Roti Mediterranean Grill and Simply Sliders Coming to Midtown

Is Midtown ready for another build-your-own lunch chain? Roti Mediterranean Grill, which was scheduled to open its first New York location downtown last month, is set to open another location this summer on 43rd St. in between Lexington Ave. and 3rd Ave. Roti’s menu consists of pita sandwiches, salads, and rice platters with grilled meats, vegetables, and falafel. But with Crisp and Naya Express just around the corner, plus Hot Clay Oven moving in, will Roti be able to compete?

But wait. There’s more…

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