Midtown Lunch

Sophie’s Cuban Will Add Plantains to Any Sandwich?: From a ML commenter who went to the Sophie's Cuban on 50th & 3rd and decided to forgo the "pernil with a twist" in favor of their fried fish sandwich (with a twist): "I also asked him to tuck in some plantains and he didn't even think twice about it. Awesome. Sweet and fishy. And two tubs of green nom sauce."

Upscale Kosher Butcher?: Noticed this little nugget in a New York Post article about charcuterie this morning: Le Marais, a Kosher Midtown restaurant on 45th btw. 7+8th has a "full butcher shop inside" featuring a "a mildly spicy jerky". $15 for a 1/4 pound is waaaaay too pricey for me- but I'm intrigued by this butcher counter.  Anybody been?

Sandwiches Are a Trend!?!: "Maybe it’s the economy. Maybe it’s the weather. Whatever the reason, NYC is eating its way through a new golden age of the sandwich." That is soooo interesting! I had no idea.

Mark Your Calendars: The date has been set for the 2009 Vendy Awards, so go ahead and mark it down in your calendars: September 26th, 2 p.m. at Queens Museum of Art.  In ink of course... because if you are reading this site, I don't see how you can miss the premiere street food event of the year! [Vendy Awards Website via Serious Eats: New York]

Five Guys Price Hike?: Few places have the balls to jack up their prices in this economy, and yet this email came in yesterday: "I just went to the Five Guys in Midtown earlier and I noticed they raised all of the prices on the menu (especially the fries) small went up 80 cents and the burgers look like they went up 30-40 cents.  That is the 2nd time they have raised them in the last year.  Burger and Fries now is $12 (including tax) up from $11 which is still crazy." Nice.

VendrTV Hallo Berlin Meetup Scheduled for March 25: If you've always dreamed of meeting up during lunchtime with like-minded street meat eaters, VendrTV (the guys behind the video about the famous halal guys on 53rd & 6th) are organizing a meet up at the Hallo Berlin Cart (on 53rd and 5th) for next Wednesday March 25th at Noon. Sign up on MeetUp.com to join in on the fun.

Shamrock Shake Fail: This year Serious Eats: New York did the annual "where can you find a Shamrock Shake in New York City" blog posting, only to discover what many have found in the past... you can't.  It doesn't exist.  But Blondie and Brownie have suggested a few decent alternatives, like the Peppermint Patty custard from the Shake Shack, and a mint chocolate cookie shake from the Ben & Jerry's in the Rock Center concourse.

Woorijip is Vegetarian Friendly: If you've given up meat for lent, Woorijip (on 32nd btw. 5+B'way) has some great lunch options, like "the new vegetarian Kimchi Bibimbap lunch box from the refrigerator case." [Blondie and Brownie]

Jamaican Dutchy on Vacation: The guys who run the Jamaican Dutchy are taking a much needed vacation, so the cart will be gone today through Wednesday.  It will return on Thursday to its normal spot on 51st & 7th Ave.

SxSw Food Blogging Panel: If you are going to be in Austin, TX on Tuesday (you never know, right?) stop by and say hi... I'm going to be on a Food Blogging Panel at South By Southwest along with Rachel from Cupcakes Take the Cake, Cathy from Not Eating out in New York, Kalyn from Kalyn's Kitchen, and Addie from Relish Austin. ("Food Blogging Panel" is code for "Excuse To Go To Austin".) Oh, and if you've got any lunch suggestions for Downtown Austin- I'm all ears.