Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: May 5, 2008, 4:40 pm

Hope for the Owner this works out.

Hell hath no fury as MT luncher turned away.

Comment from danny@foodinmouth
Time: May 5, 2008, 4:48 pm

so what, is that Ironman technology here yet? i need to fly yo.

Comment from danny@foodinmouth
Time: May 5, 2008, 4:49 pm

by that i mean, 54th btw Park and Lex is really far away..

Comment from Hungry and Cheap
Time: May 5, 2008, 5:01 pm

Made a reservation for next tuesday for me and 2 co-workers.
hope someone goes tomorrow to give a report.

Comment from foodie
Time: May 5, 2008, 5:14 pm

Hungry and Cheap, did they say anything about the Midtown Lunch promotion (or did you mention it)? I made a reservation for tomorrow afternoon, but no one mentioned anything so now I’m getting worried that this is a hoax…

Comment from Julie
Time: May 5, 2008, 5:47 pm

I made a reservation for tomorrow and they mentioned the lunch special, so it’s not a hoax. Hopefully I’ll be able to go tomorrow and check it out.

Comment from JP
Time: May 5, 2008, 6:02 pm

can you get the lunch via take-out or is it dine-in only

Comment from Zach@MidtownLunch
Time: May 5, 2008, 6:29 pm

Sorry, I thought I had written “No takeout, no doggie bags” in the post… I just added it. They just don’t want people to take advantage by ordering a ton and then asking for it to go.

Comment from Mamacita
Time: May 5, 2008, 6:30 pm

SHOCKED!
Can you do take out????

Pingback from The Volstead’s Milk Chocolate Fondue is Awesome « NYC Food Guy
Time: May 6, 2008, 2:18 am

[…] Volstead’s upping their stock further by offering free lunch Tuesdays all May to readers of Midtown Lunch.com. Delicious photos and the low down after the […]

Comment from grace
Time: May 6, 2008, 10:11 am

Checking it out with 2 co-workers today as well. We didn’t mention anything about MT and they didn’t mention anything about a ‘SPECIAL’ so hopefully all goes well and there’s no confusion! Thanks MT!!! Will advise…

Comment from Eater
Time: May 6, 2008, 10:14 am

Called to make a reservation-they said they’re only taking walk-ins.

Comment from emmereater
Time: May 6, 2008, 11:07 am

I check this site every five minutes! Why oh why was I away from a computer yesterday?? Getting the news a little too late, I just called to make a reservation and they are booked full. And next Tuesday is full. I asked if the whole month was already full and he told me to try next Monday for the week after next. SOB!

Comment from stevenp
Time: May 6, 2008, 11:08 am

Lobster roll too????

Comment from DocChuck
Time: May 6, 2008, 11:14 am

I am literally trembling with excitement!!!

Now THIS is a restaurant a man of my sophistication and social standing could fall in love with. I have reservations for next week.

I do so look forward to meeting many of you in person. Please introduce yourself to me, if you are so inclined. I am a 66 year old “Southern Gentleman,” and my wife is considerably younger and taller than me. She resembles Bea Arthur, who she impersonates in a very popular caberet act.

Comment from Rudy McBagel
Time: May 6, 2008, 11:37 am

More like Dudley Moor’s Arthur.

Comment from not a scam!
Time: May 6, 2008, 12:42 pm

i just returned from my fully comp’ed meal at the volstead. it was actually really, really good! the service was incredibly friendly and there was nothing “off-limits” on the menu. i had the lobster roll, which was fantastic! the fries were also delicious. this definitely doesn’t qualify as a “midtown lunch”, but given this great experience, i will definitely recommend it in the future.

Comment from stevenp
Time: May 6, 2008, 12:49 pm

First to report back–showed up at 11:30 and was seated at the bar (3 of us). We were offered an appetizer, entree and drink. I had the Buffalo Pops and lobster roll. The lobster roll was very good, tasty and just a hint of mayo. Served on a smooth brioche bun with a side of very good fries in a paper cone. The pops were excellent — lollipop-shaped fried brown discs on a wooden stick, with rolled-up chicken inside together with bleu cheese and (barely detectable) fine chopped celery, served with a slightly spicy dipping sauce.

One friend had the steak salad, which was a large mound of salad with steak bits and tortilla strips, and a very tasty lobster bisque. My other friend had a lobster roll and the chicken tortilla soup. Drink refills were offered, and when we were done the waiter just said “lunch is on us!” SO we filled out the small comment forms, left a nice tip, and headed out.

Awesome deal, best I’ve seen in a long time! The food was very good as well, slightly above ML standards but reasonable for the quality.

Comment from stevenp
Time: May 6, 2008, 12:50 pm

OK, *second* to report… took too long finishing my post.

Comment from Swan
Time: May 6, 2008, 12:53 pm

can’t wait! made reservations for the 20th! =)

Comment from stevenp
Time: May 6, 2008, 1:07 pm

We don’t need no steenkin’ reservations!

Comment from j
Time: May 6, 2008, 1:27 pm

thank you so much! just came back from there, this was the single most useful entry in a blog i have ever read.

Comment from G
Time: May 6, 2008, 1:32 pm

Arrived at 12 with friend, seated at the bar immediately. Perfect service. Crab cake pops very nicely done, lobster roll was excellent. Not rushed but done in 45…saw Zach on our way out.

only in New York…

Comment from Volstead Managers
Time: May 6, 2008, 1:49 pm

We are so thrilled that so many of you are trying out lunch at The Volstead! Just to clarify… Reservations are highly reccomended, but walk ins will be taken if/when possible. We will be opening reservations one week in advance, so please call 212.532.1519 or 212.583.0411 one week prior to your desired Tuesday lunch. We look forward to hosting all of you!

Comment from Mamacita
Time: May 6, 2008, 1:54 pm

I am soo sad I’m not able to go! Waaaaaaah!
I’m glued to my desk!

Comment from Igor
Time: May 6, 2008, 2:05 pm

Just came back with a group of 7….excellent appetizers, very solid lobster roll, and a great experience for the whole group….we have always had a great time there after-work for happy hour but now this just adds another dimension!

Comment from corey
Time: May 6, 2008, 2:50 pm

wow. midtownlunch.com rules. and volstead rules too. so glad i came to work this morning and saw the post. quick recap of this most excellent experience.

walked in with a coworker at 12:15 and was promptly seated at the bar. we split our orders. started with the buffalo pops and spicy tuna roll. both we’re very tasty. tuna was buttery soft. pops had bits of blue cheese in them. for entrees we went wit the lobster roll (you have to) and the pulled pork sandwich. both were very good. bartender and staff were very friendly and attentive. will definitely be heading back next week.

Comment from pistachio eater
Time: May 6, 2008, 3:12 pm

how did Swan get a reso for 20th if policy is one week in advance?

Comment from Don MacKinnon
Time: May 6, 2008, 5:08 pm

Two of us went into Volstead for lunch today. The food was excellent, as was the service and decor. I’ll definitely add it to my list of regular lunch spots.

Comment from Volstead Managers
Time: May 6, 2008, 5:27 pm

Another clarification from The Volstead… We are indeed only taking reservations one week in advance, but that message didn’t get to all of the reservationists in time! Any of you that were lucky enough to get reservations for the 20th or 27th, we will still of course honor them! Apologies for any of the confusion, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Comment from Yvo
Time: May 7, 2008, 10:04 am

I may have to take a 2 hour lunch one of these Tuesdays.

Comment from DocChuck
Time: May 7, 2008, 3:53 pm

Perhaps we could organize one communal table, hosted by my young wife and me?

Comment from Mamacita
Time: May 12, 2008, 9:07 pm

I don’t know, what do you guys think, could I do a walk in around 11:30 and beat the free lunch rush?

Comment from Drake Wycloff
Time: May 13, 2008, 12:17 pm

The ambience, and service is excellent.
However, the food is not that great.
Oily, little flavor, and salty.
Definitely not worth it for the prices on the menu.
But if you can catch a free meal on a tuesday, go for it.

Comment from casadelun
Time: May 13, 2008, 3:01 pm

I just got back from lunch at the Volstead. The place has great service and ambience. Very mellow and calming. However, there is room for improvement in the food category:

1. Lobster Bisque: A generous portion of lobster bisque. I thought this was quite good, considering it is bisque, and bisque is somewhat mild. It was served with fried crab wontons, which didn’t enhance the bisque. I would’ve just add chopped chives, fried wonton strips for texture, and a dash of fresh ground black peppers. Texture, color, and spice would definitely improve this soup.

2. Crab Cake Pops: My bf thought this was the highlight of the meal and enjoyed them very much. I thought it was okay. The texture was crisp, but it was definitely blended/pureed and dropped into a wet batter and fried. There isn’t enough texture for me. I prefer my crab cakes to be somewhat flaky and dense with crab meat. Overall, I liked the idea of serving them on sticks, but it was not spectacular.

3. Short rib cheesesteak: Five mini buns with shredded short ribs and cheese. Cheese was thin though. The short ribs were okay. Tasted fine but it leaves my mouth wanting more. Maybe a kick of something? Maybe some bell peppers/onions to add another layer of flavor? I don’t know; it was good, but ordinary.

4. Gyro: My bf got this appetizer as his meal. Ground lamb on sticks, served with black olives, yogurt sauce, and medallions of flat bread. Cute presentation, and I did like the ground lamb. Tasty with just a slight hint of spice. I could use some more spice. I liked this the most.

Overall, great place to hang out, fun food to eat. I would go here with colleagues and/or friends to hang out while munching, but if I want spectacular food, there is defintely room for improvements. The lobster roll was out when I was there. There may be other stuff that are better or tastier so give it a try.

Comment from LAURA
Time: May 14, 2008, 1:40 pm

We just experienced the free lunch at Volstead yesterday, the place is amazing. Very cozy with a welcoming staff that gave us excellant service. The food was delicious, I had to try the lobster roll and thought it was amazing. I am also in love with the crab pops. Looking forward to visiting Volstead after work for cocktails.

Comment from Jamie
Time: May 20, 2008, 11:23 am

our free lunches were canceled today due to some water problem. They will, however, be honoring today’s reservations on June 3rd. They better have lobster rolls ready. I may check out the new midtown location of Mooncake Foods (30th and 8th).

Comment from vive riceball
Time: May 20, 2008, 11:29 am

Same here. Guess it’s a Woorijip day then. We’ll see you June 3, Jamie.