Midtown Lunch

Are you a fan of Coolhaus‘s gourmet ice cream sandwiches but find it difficult to find their truck nearby? Fear not, fellow Luncher, for Coolhaus ice cream sandwiches can now be found pre-packaged in select stores around New York City and elsewhere around the country. There are a number of places to find them in Midtown, including The Health Nuts on 2nd Ave. (btw 44th+45th) and Manhattan Espresso Cafe on 49th St. (btw Lex+3rd).

When we checked out just-near-Penn-Station-newcomer Patiala, their chow off of the menu was something else entirely. They brought Little India-style fare and then some to this part of town, always seeking something better than awful generic delis and chain crap. Now that they’ve stabilized and have been heavily promoting quick-serve takeout from the steam tables, what better reason (other than the recent crowning of an Indian-American Miss America and the admirable reaction thereof) to give it a shot and see if their in-and-out is as good as the a la carte?
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Neapolitan Express, the eco-friendly truck that purports to be selling authentic Neapolitan pizza has finally gotten their footing (not to mention a Vendy nomination). On my last visit, the pies coming out of the compressed natural gas oven were tastier than they ever were before. Now they sent us word that they’ve added some new menu items to spice things up. In addition to three new savory pies like the a Diavolo with cherry peppers and spicy Sopressata and the di Parma with buffalo mozzarella and Prosciutto di Param, they’ve upped their Nutella dessert pizza to include market fruits. Anybody tried these new pies yet?

It’s been almost three years since Manchester Pub (2nd ave. between 48th and 49th) first introduced their $7 Lunch Special and, surprisingly, we haven’t visited the place since. Though it seems most food prices are getting higher and higher all the time, Manchester Pub is still offering the same deal it has been for years. Between the hours of 11am and 3pm, you get your pick of any sandwich from the menu for just seven bucks. Sandwich choices include a cheesesteak, buffalo chicken, pulled pork, shortrib, and more, all of which include fries!

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Earlier this summer, Chris went on a search for the best buffalo chicken wrap in Midtown, reminding me just how well buffalo wings translate into sandwich form. So when I stopped by Mayhem & Stout last month, I was intrigued by buffalo chicken combination on their menu. It was only a matter of time before I made my way back to try it.

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We reported back in 2012 that Maison Kayser, the artisan boulangerie with an outpost on Upper East Side, would be opening a new location on 40th St. (btw 5th+6th Ave.) across from Bryant Park next to LT Burger. Back then, their signage indicated a January 2013 opening. Clearly, that didn’t happen. Now the signage says they’re due to open in Spring 2013, a time that has also passed. All this begs the question, will Maison Kayser ever open in Midtown? And perhaps more importantly, given their high prices, how much do any of you care?

Today, the NYPD shut down the “outdoor urban food court” of food trucks located on 47th between Park & Madison. As Blondie had noted in the past, the street is regulated for 3-hour metered parking for commercial vehicles during the week, and food trucks congregated on the same block often lead to complaints and the Alpha Unit breaking up the party.

Many of the trucks are relocating to other locations today and encouraging patrons to write to the Mayor’s Office regarding the repeal of laws prohibiting them from vending at metered parking locations. For the time being, it looks like 47th Street will be off-limits for a while. (Thanks to Lunch’er “Jason” for the tip and the photo.)

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.

Rodeo Bar has always intrigued me, with live music and honky tonk decor. But, the fear of it being like Brother Jimmy’s kept me away all these years…until recently.

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

Now here ye. Now here ye. For one day only, Tuesday, September 17th, Shake Shack in Madison Square Park will serve up a massive line of people Cronut Hole Concrete. Shake Shack’s marketing team described the special concrete as a combination of “Shake Shack’s dense, rich and creamy Butter Caramel frozen custard blended with three delectable Cinnamon Sugar Cronut Holes, and a bonus Cronut Hole on top.” Maybe I am just bitter since I still haven’t tried a cronut (hours to wait in line? Ain’t nobody got time for that. I take that back, apparently, everyone, but me has time for that), but the sound of a pastry in frozen custard seems like a recipe for soggy mess to me. There is a reason we put sturdy items like peanut butter cups and Oreos in our milkshakes. At least that cronut hole on top will probably taste delicious.

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