Midtown Lunch

News and hearts broke last week when it was announced that Cafe Edison (aka the Polish Tea Room) would be closing soon. The Hotel Edison (which has been home to the restaurant for the last three decades) is kicking the tenant out to make way for a fancy, high-end restaurant. This is a travesty because it really is the last bit of authenticity in the Times Square area. Not to mention the food is just plain excellent. They serve hands-down the best matzo ball soup in the city.

We’re not the only ones who are up-in-arms about this. A petition has been started on change.org to convince the hotel management to reconsider their decision. Many celebrities, such as Glenn Close and Martha Plimpton, have already given their support and testimonies. The signatures have reached over 5,000 people. I have signed my name and urge any Midtown Lunchers who care about the city (and their own lunches) to do the same. You can sign the petition here.

I woke up to the saddest news I’ve heard in a long time. Decades old Cafe Edison on 47th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue, is being evicted from their stuck-in-time space and will close within a month. The Hotel Edison is sending them packing, much llike they did to their other tenants, Sophia’s and The Rum House. I don’t want to imagine what will replace them.

Of all the classic New York institutions, this is the one that was most personal to me. And to this day, it’s really the only reason to step foot in Times Square. Their legendary matzo ball soup, blintzes, sandwiches and never-changing prices will be sorely missed and Midtown will be the worse for it.

We just visited them back in April and now I think I may have to spend all my lunches there for the next few weeks – until the landlords kick me out too. I suggest you do the same.

When we reported the news of pastrami cart Katz n Dogz legal troubles with Katz’s Deli, many commenters reminded us of the cheapest legit pastrami sandwich in Midtown. Few of us venture over to Cafe Edison since it is inside a very touristy hotel and you must cross over either Times Square or the equally mobbed Eighth Avenue to get there.

Zach reviewed the stuck-in-time Eastern European diner back in 2007 and I used to frequent this spot back in my early days living in NYC (back in the early aughts). Back then, if anybody had asked me where to get a good affordable meal in Midtown, this would have been my only answer.

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Back in April Always Hungry did a Best Matzoh Ball Soup in NYC round-up that conspicuously left off Cafe Edison (on 47th btw. B’way+8th.) Well they finally admitted their mistake this week, after visiting the Midtown landmark for an awesome looking lunch. In addition to the soup, they also gave high marks to the Cafe Edison kasha, blintzes, and called their chocolate egg cream “perfect”. Somebody should tell Ed Levine!

Related:
Midtown Has 2 of the 3 Best Matzoh Ball Soups in NYC
Celebrate the New Year at Cafe Edison

Sad news in the New York Times yesterday: Harry Edelstein, owner of Cafe Edison (on 47th btw. B’way+8th), passed away on Monday at the age of 91.  The ML fave for matzoh ball soup, borscht, blintzes, and potato pancakes was closed yesterday for his funeral (and will be closed during lunch today for a movie shoot.) Today, we’ll pour out a little of our Dr. Brown’s cream soda in his honor…

Related:
Celebrate the New Year at Cafe Edison

Always Hungry has a round up of the best matzo ball soups in New York City, and surprisingly they only liked three versions.  Even more surprising is that 2 of the 3 are right here in Midtown: Sarge’s (on 3rd btw. 36+37th) and 2nd Ave. Deli (on 33rd btw. Lex+3rd).  Carnegie Deli’s version got a C (barely passing) and the Cafe Edison (on 47th btw. B’way+8th) was totally left out!  I wonder how they would have stacked up.

The first night of Chanukah is tomorrow night, and with the Stage & Carnegie Delis fighting each other over who can more effectively gouge stupid tourists, you have to travel a little farther off the beaten path if you want potato pancakes at Midtown Lunch approved prices.  Here are my picks…

1.  The Diamond Dairy (4 W. 47th St.) – Still the undisputed king of Chanukah time, this truly hidden gem (pun entirely intended) serves up a good plate of potato pancakes year round, in the back mezzanine of one of the jewelry stores on 47th btw. 5+6th.  And at 2 for $6, and 3 for $8, they are a steal.  Just make sure you write down the address, or else you’ll never find it.

2. Cafe Edison (47th btw. B’way+8th) – Surprisingly, this old school deli doesn’t serve latkes year round- but starting tomorrow night this Midtown institution offers them as a special for the 8 days of Chanukah.  They haven’t set a price yet, but they assured me it will be under $10. 

3.  Sarge’s (3rd Ave. btw. 36+37th) – Unfortunately Sarge’s amazing list of sandwiches are too expensive for Midtown Lunch’ing purposes, but the super thick potato pancakes at this Midtown East establishment, come in at just under $10 ($8.95).  This kid seems to be enjoying them!

And finally, the cheapest (and most shocking) potato pancakes in Midtown, after the jump… Read more »

Tonight is Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), and if you don’t have your Mom in town to cook for you (mine is flying in this morning), then you may want to consider Cafe Edison for lunch.  I don’t eat at too many sit down restaraunts, but they don’t have good matzoh ball soup at too many places that specialize in quick lunches.  Luckily Cafe Edison, despite being a sit down diner, is cheap enough (the prices probably haven’t changed in 20 years) to be included as a bonafide Midtown Lunch.

Situated in the Edison Hotel on 47th btw. B’way & 8th, Cafe Edison is a relic of the Old Times Square.  Stepping inside is like stepping into a time warp, and it doesn’t matter how old you are, chances are- if you are reading this blog, you will be the youngest person there.  Their ever changing list of daily soups are easily the stand outs of the menu, but they also have great blintzes, matzoh brie (I’ll be back for Passover!), a real nice corned beef sandwich, and kasha varnishkes (if you don’t know, you probably don’t want to know).

The best Matzoh Ball soup in Midtown, more old school deli porn and a +/- after the jump… Read more »