Midtown Lunch

Fuzzy Nugget Math: I can't stand McDonald's, but even I can appreciate a good loophole when I see one. Jennifer 8 Lee has discovered that buying chicken McNuggets in 4 piece ($1) increments is far cheaper than buying a box of 10 (for $4) or 20 (for $7.) Of course we are all too aware of the fact that fast food chains are not so good at math.

Free Caviar Alert: I don't usually like to promote free "samples" (we want more than just a sample!), but caviar is freaking expensive. Tomorrow (Thursday 6/18) Pescatore, in the Grand Central Market, will be holding a caviar tasting from 3-7pm of Wild American Hackleback Caviar. It ain't beluga, but at $20-30 an ounce a free "taste" might be worth the time.

In the ML Forums: Here is what lunchers are talking about right now in the forums

• Rosen's Deli is being turned into a Toasties East [Midtown Eating]
• You can get half a roast chicken at the just out of bounds Chicken Kitchen for under $6 [Midtown Eating]
• The "Bulgogi Wrapdog" is the greatest looking thing I've ever seen [Eating Outside Midtown]
• A thread for those who enjoy stalking my kid and I (yes, we eat in Midtown every day) [Miscellaneous]
• Washoku Cafe's bentos are now 50% off after work [Midtown Eating]
• Where can I find liverwurst near 59th & Lex? [Midtown Eating]

Big Celebrities Are Fans of FIKA: Did you know that Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, and John Malkovich all patronize FIKA Swedish Espresso Bar on 58th btw. 5+6th?  The New York Daily News did...

Free (Mini) Cupcake Alert: The Cupcake Stop truck is finally coming to Midtown today, although it's not for regular vending. The truck has been rented by some cable TV show and they will be giving away free cupcakes until around 10am.  Right now they are Penn Station in front of the FUSE building (on 32nd & 7th), but they plan on moving around- so check their Twitter before heading out.

But What About the Red Velvet?: For those who could care less about the drama surrounding the Street Sweets truck, and their clash with Pret & Bistro Milano yesterday- here's a little something about the actual food.  Blondie and Brownie report that their One Girl Bakery red velevet cupcakes are the best in Midtown.

In the ML Forums: Here's what lunchers are talking about in the forums right now:

• Rosen's Deli on 51st Has Closed.  Any good alternatives in the area? [Midtown Eating]
• Citi Field vs. Yankee Stadium: The Food Debate Continues [Eating Outside Midtown]
• City Burger's black label burger tastes like "1 part hamburger and 3 parts porterhouse" [Midtown Eating]
• Looking for Indonesian food in Forest Hills? Minangasli is worth checking out [Eating Outside Midtown]

Szechuan Gourmet Update: The new Szechuan Gourmet (on 56th btw. Bway+8th) still isn't open for lunch, but they are doing take out. (Just ordered my pork belly with chili leeks!) They're hoping to open for dinner tonight but are waiting for the ok from the city. If you want to call ahead the # is 212-265-2226. UPDATE FROM THE COMMENTS: They are now completely open for business.

Papa Perrone Still Doing Original Sandwich Challenge Entry: Even though the Papa Perrone truck (on 55th btw. Mad+Park) is no longer doing the Rutgers Grease Truck sandwich, they wanted everyone to know they're still serving the pick 2 meatball/eggplant parm/ziti combo sandwiches on garlic bread on Wednesdays and Fridays only.

Szechuan Gourmet Not Open: Just called, and sadly (for us) the new Szechuan Gourmet on 56th will not be open until dinner tonight. The first lunch service will be tomorrow (Thursday).