Archive for July 2013

Clarke’s Standard is Adding Two More Midtown Locations

Clarke's Standard 43rd & 2nd

We’re guessing Clarke’s Standard, PJ Clarke’s new fast casual concept on 54th & Lex, is doing well as the signage is up for their third location, the former Goodburger at 43rd Street & 2nd Avenue. This is their second Midtown East location, but don’t feel left out Midtown Westers. You should be getting your own Clarke’s Standard on 8th Avenue between 57th & 58th Street soon enough. We just heard in the comments that a Columbus Circle location opened a month ago on 8th Ave. btw. 57+58th.

Lunch Links (The “Pret of Sushi” Edition)


California Roll from Sushi Shop. Photo by Ramen & Friends

  • Sushi Shop is the Pret of sushi [Ramen & Friends]
  • Sofia’s, the Italian place in the Edison Hotel has lost its lease [JV]
  • Shocker: Chopped salads are super popular [NYT]
  • A look at all the dishes at Ippudo Midtown [SENY]
  • Ippudo Midtown has an exclusive collaboration with Brooklyn Brewery [Eataku]
  • Cafe Grumpy may replace Starbucks in Grand Central [Grub St.]
  • Buffalo Wild Wings is coming to Times Square [DNAinfo]
  • A look at the new summer sandwiches from ‘wichcraft [SENY]
  • Where to eat near Times Square [SENY]
  • For those of you who don’t mind a splurge, Ma Peche has rolled out a new large format feast [Eater]
  • If you care about your co-workers, these guys say to avoid Xi’an Famous Foods [II]

Kelvin Slush’s Boozy Concoctions Now At Columbus Circle Whole Foods

This isn’t a typical Midtown Happy Hour, but it’s still great news for anybody who is a big fan of Kelvin Slush’s booze filled slushies…

Kelvin in Columbus Circle WF

It’s easy to forget about The Tap Room in the Whole Foods Columbus Circle. It opened in late 2011 as a bar to have a drink and maybe a bite to eat while in a Whole Foods–a sort-of weird concept, but, given the lack of decent bar options in the area or in the Time Warner Center, not the worst idea. I imagine many shopping companions find themselves stopping by here. Well now they will have a new drink option: Kelvin Natural Slush boozy slushies are on tap.

They’re even served up in special Kelvin branded glasses. They are currently offering an apricot shandy and a white sangria straight from a slush machine, both fruity and delicious. This one was the $5 12 oz version, boozy enough to get you a little buzzed and refreshingly cool after my short walk in the summer heat. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear they are doing styrofoam cup to-go versions, so you are stuck getting brain freeze while watching ESPN.

Whole Foods Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Cir (btw W Central Park & B’way). 212-823-9600

Ranchito del Agave Does a Decent Lunch Special

Brush with the law aside, it’s been a while since we checked in on the 9th Ave Mexican stalwart Ranchito del Agave. Last mentioned food-wise for a lunch buffet, they’ve got a menu full of stuff. $7.95 lunch specials alongside some proper-looking burritos? Worth a shot, doubly so if they’ve got mole poblano and pipian on the menu. If nothing else, something’s gotta offset the Chipotle-centric burrito domination of Midtown Southwest.
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Flatiron Lunch: Tariq Cart Serves Excellent Indian Halal on Lower Park

Every Friday we go south of the ML boundaries in search of a delicious lunch. Sometimes it’s Murray Hill south or the Flatiron District, sometimes Gramercy and everything in between- but we just like to call it Flatiron Lunch.

I love it when readers write in to suggest lunch spots I might have neglected, overlooked, or just never walked by. So a huge thank you to Flatiron Lunch’er James for suggesting the cart on the corner of 19th and Park.

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Lunch’er “Clues” Reports: Treehaus Has a Super Serious Coffee Program

If you are a coffee fanatic you’ll be excited to hear about this new find from Lunch’er Clues, who sent us this letter the other day…

Dear Editor,

I have been an avid follower and occasional contributor to your site for several years. I thought your coffee fans may be interested in a discovery I made yesterday…

I consider myself somewhere between a coffee geek and snob. I have a burr grinder and Clever Dripper in my office and my co-workers get a kick out of watching me brew my java every morning. I love Midtown Lunch’s coffee reviews and, as a result of the site, frequent Simon Sips, Gregory’s, and JOE the art of coffee.

But yesterday I found a hidden gem! While paying for my lunch at Treehaus, I noticed a very strange looking machine behind the counter next to their espresso maker.

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Cafe Zaiya Closed by the DOH

We’ve gotten multiple reports that Cafe Zaiya (on 41st btw. Mad+5th) has been closed by the DOH.  According to the DOH website they got a 59 on their last inspection on Sunday, but there’s no record of what for. Hopefully they’ll be back open soon…

Our First Look at Ippudo Westside (And Its Secret Upstairs Restaurant, Coming in October!)

We’ve been waiting a mere two and a half years for this event (remember when Eater dropped the news back in February 2011?), and though it might be 90+ degrees outside, that didn’t stop us from checking out Ippudo’s newest Midtown location, Ippudo Westside.  Despite a discouraging first official lunch day this past Monday cut short by an emergency in the kitchen, I returned on Tuesday for an experience that proved to more than make up for my lunchless trip on Monday. Ippudo, we’re glad you’re here in Midtown!

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Lezzette My Doner Go!

The woe betiding the DoHing of Lezzette has lasted over a month (!?!?!) but is thankfully coming to an end soon. Walking by the other day, the insurance shutters were up and the door was open a crack. Sure, the paper is still on the windows, along with the Closed sign, but those are no barrier to food journalism. The guy inside said they’d be re-opening very soon. No re-inspection yet on the Department of Health’s search engine, but we’ll keep you posted!

Benares Indian Restaurant is Worth the Splurge

I spend so much time searching for midtown’s cheapest lunches that I sometimes tend to overlook the quality of the food I eat. Yes, value is important, but occasionally it can be worth dishing out a few extra bucks for that something special. When it comes to Indian, I enjoy street carts and takeout spots like Minar as much as anyone, but let’s not kid ourselves – this is budget Indian food. After treating myself to the lunch buffet at Benares Indian Restaurant last week (56th St. and 8th Ave.), I was reminded how truly awesome good Indian food can be.

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