Midtown Lunch

Midtown lost another two much loved personalities recently.  Michael Ronis, the founding Chef of Carmine’s and Virgil’s, passed away last Thursday from brain cancer; and Mike Levy, a weekly regular at Ben Benson’s for the past twenty years, also passed away from cancer.  Our thoughts go out to their families and friends.

The 2009 Chocolate Show this past weekend, and FIKA Swedish Espresso Bar (on 58th btw. 5+6th) won “Best Overall Bonbon or Truffle, ganache filling, single flavor”. Who knew they even made their own chocolate!? (I’ve always been more about their Swedish Meatball Sandwich.) [via Grub Street]

After disappearing at the beginning of the week, the Jerk Pan returns to its normal spot today (on 48th Street and Park) and has apparently replaced their cart with a truck. And not a moment to soon with the Jamaican Dutchy on vacation for another 2 weeks. We can only hope the upgrade to a [...]

If you love the ML Twitter Tracker, and have your own Twitter account, you can now follow all the Midtown Lunch spots that Twitter by following this Twitter list. (Try saying that five times.)

It’s confirmed that the Trini Paki Boys cart has returned to its spot on 43rd and 6th today, and they have goat biriyani as a special.  It’s good to have you back… that was a long three days.

After last night’s game, there’s really only one place to have lunch today. It’s name is Japanese for 55, and it’s on 38th btw. 7+8th. Oh, and thanks to Matsui’s HR we all get free toppings! Update via Twitter: They’re giving away 5 topping coupons and local news is filming at 1:30pm.

The New York Times $25 and under column today mentions Barros Luco, the new Chilean sandwich spot on 52nd and 2nd. It’s not a flat out rave, but praises the spot for its authenticity (despite the sandwiches being half the size of their Santiago counterparts.)

The ML Twitter Tracker is on fire today today… NYC Cravings is trying out a new Midtown spot today on 37th btw. 6+7th. Also Schnitzel is in the Flatiron, Treats Truck is on 45th, Street Sweets is on 55th, Cupcake Stop is on 47th, and Rickshaw is in Columbus Circle.

Love the kati rolls at the Biriyani Cart (on 46th and 6th) but looking for a change of pace? Lunch’er “Adam” has discovered that if you ask they’ll make a kati roll for you with falafel instead of lamb or chicken. That could be interesting…

This seems too good to be true, but according to Eater Le Cirque (on 58th btw. Lex+3rd) will be giving away free fried chicken tonight during the Yankees game in its casual “Wine Lounge.”