A recent trip to Food Gallery 32, brought some sad news. Crêpe Monster, the Tokyo-style crêpe off shoot of Bian Dang has closed. (It’s apparently been closed since 8/16, clearly I don’t get to FG32 enough). I will miss their cinnamon roll-like “Milk Toaster” crêpe. Ah, Crêpe Monster, we hardly knew ye.

Last week we received a tip from the twitterverse that Cyber Café, the home of the beloved Madeleine the Crêpe Lady is now called “Cycle Café”, and that the stalls that were previously home to Tuck Shop and Madeleine, appear to be empty. I stopped by to investigate, and learned that the space is now under new management, who hope to renovate the interior. They’ve started by installing a juice and smoothie bar, and are re-vamping the counter space that Tuck Shop and Madeleine previously occupied. However they’ve assured me that the renovation should only take 2-3 weeks, and that Madeleine will be brought back afterward to keep making her delicious crêpes. We’ll do a follow-up visit next month to see if they stick to their word.

Related:
Madeleine The Crepe Lady (or the Hidden Gems of the CyberCafe- Part 2 of 2)

Those who have been reading Midtown Lunch for awhile may recall the Cartwatch of January ‘07.  A croque monsieur truck popped up, and just as quickly disappeared a few days later, before ML got a chance to sample their wares.  Since then, I have dreamed of the day when we would be able to buy a French ham and cheese sandwich from a truck- and earlier this week, my dream finally came true.

The Le Gamin truck, which has been parking all over NYC since late last year, finally gave Midtown a chance to try their menu of French sandwiches, crepes, quiche, and (of course) frites.  They set up shop on 47th btw. Lex+3rd on Tuesday and Wednesday, and not even the rain could keep me away from date with destiny!

The Le Gamin Truck is actually a mobile spinoff of the Le Gamin Cafe, which has been open since 1992 (they now have three locations.) The first day I went, they had actually run out of almost everything I wanted to try by 1pm. I settled for the Croque Monsieur (I got the last one of the day), which at $8 was a tad pricey.

I liked the french bread (which according to their Twitter they get from Balthazar or Amy’s Bread), and the ham and swiss cheese were both tasty- but it leaves you with the overall feeling that $8 might be a bit too much for what amounts to a warm ham and cheese sandwich.  And that might be the case with most of the menu, where everything is priced pretty close to $10.  I guess it all depends on what you expect from a truck.  If you expect your mobile food to automatically be cheaper, you will definitely not like Le Gamin.  If you’re excited to get this kind of French street food, on the street, and don’t mind paying more than what you would spend at a generic midtown deli- you will be excited.

On the second day, I got what I came for… the merguez sandwich (with caramelized onions and cheese, $9) with french fries ($4) and all thoughts of the food being overpriced washed away under the deliciousness of sausage, onions, and cheese.  Now this is a sandwich that is worth $9.  Sure with the fries that put the lunch over the ML price limit- but considering that it came off a truck (you know I love it!) and French style merguez sandwiches aren’t exactly in abundance in Midtown, I’m going to make an exception.  It was that good.

The sweetness of the onions perfectly complemented the rich sausage and cheese- with the bread there to soak in all the greasy goodness.  Delicious.

The fries were well salted, and good. And since they won’t stuff fries into the sandwich, Paris street food style, I was forced to do it on my own.

Awwww yeah!  It’s not all fun and games though.  Although I loved my sandwich and fries, the truck still has its issues. They make everything to order, so it takes *forever* to get your food- and even the line just to place your order moves pretty slow. This might work when you’re set up in Park Slope on the weekend, but for Midtown Lunch’ing purposes it’s kind of a drag.  Midtown is all about speed and volume, and the truck will quickly learn that people don’t have a lot of time for lunch. Make us wait too long, and we will hesitate to come back.

Object in photo appears much larger than it actually is.

Another warning… I saw a few crepes being ordered, and while they looked tasty enough, they didn’t appear filling enough to make a complete lunch (which, at $8-9 could be problematic.)  All in all, some of you will love the truck, but more of you will probably find the food tasty but overpriced for what you get.  Unless, of course, you order the merguez sandwich!  I thought it was worth every penny, and I hope they come back to Midtown soon so I can try the lamb dog.

You can read more about the quiche, lamb dog, other sandwiches and salads from the Le Gamin Truck over on Serious Eats: New York.

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• French street food from a truck!  I love it…
• The merguez sandwich is really tasty, and you can’t find anything like it in Midtown.
• Eating stuff like french fries, and crepes, and quiche from a truck is just much more fun.
• They make everything to order, so your food comes out pretty warm and fresh.
• I don’t mind paying a little bit more $$ to eat good, fresh food from a truck.

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• Too expensive for what you get
• The food takes forevvvvvvvver.  I only have an hour for lunch!
• Fries are good, but $4 is too much!
• Food from a truck should be cheaper than a storefront- not more expensive!

Le Gamin Truck,  Find their location daily via Twitter

Lunch’er Shauna (who we have to thank for yesterday’s McD’s photo), also sent along this photo of the “Crepe Cafe” cart parked on 50th btw. 6+7th yesterday. Not to be confused with the Crepe Cart on 53rd btw. 5+6th, I know I’ve seen this cart somewhere- but it definitely wasn’t on 50th btw. 6+7th. Anybody eaten from it yet? The one on 53rd btw. 5+6th is ok, but nothing to write home about- and I’m sure no cart could be better than the crepe lady in the Cyber Cafe on 49th btw. 7+8th, but I’d still be curious. If you’ve tried it, feel free to post in the comments… and if you have news, recommendations or a photo to share, send it to zach@midtownlunch.com

Tuck Shop in the CyberCafe was weird enough.  But now this place has got a “Crepe Lady”.  Total craziness…  what kind of internet cafe is this???  But who am I to argue with this kind of deliciousness.  Thankfully I didn’t let the surroundings fool me into not trying a crepe, because Madeleine is the real deal.  And by real deal I mean this sweet, charming, amazing “Crepe Lady” is actually from Brittany…  the birthplace of crepes.  And she’s been making these French treats since she was 13 years old!  I think it’s safe to say she knows what she’s doing.

Food porn, the complete list of what she serves, and the +/- (with not so much of the minus), after the jump…

Crepe places have been popping up around the country in the past 10 years, but Madeleine’s are the original.  These aren’t mall food court crepes, folded into a portable triangle, with a thick crispy pancake making you feel like you’re holding a brick.  Madeleine’s crepes are expertly made, with an ultra thin skin that takes real talent to pull off.  They are served on a plate, and must be eaten with a knife and fork.  I’m curious how you would ever take one of these delicate treats to go… but apparently it can be done (she used to serve them in Central Park!).  I’ve never been to Brittany… but I imagine this is what it taste likes.

Madeleine has almost every kind of crepe filling you could want, including Apricot Jam ($5), Lemon & Honey ($5), Bananas ($6), Apples ($6), Peaches ($7.50), and of course Nutella (the chocolate hazelnut spread).  If savory is what you are looking for, she makes a Mushroom and Cheese Crepe ($7.50), a Ham & Cheese Crepe ($7.50) and an Apple and Brie Crepe ($7.50).  Or have a semi-”liquid” lunch with a Chestnut/Rum crepe ($7.50), or a Grand Marnier Crepe ($5).  Every crepe is made to order, right in front of you, by Madeleine herself.

We had the Mushroom & Cheese crepe (along with a pie from the tuck shop as our lunch), and the peach crepe for dessert, which on that day was made with white peaches and an applesauce that Madeleine had made fresh that morning.  Decadent and delicious!  If crepes aren’t your thing, she also makes quiches, and a bunch of different pastries- like a Danish Pudding, and a french style “King Cake” that was awesome with a cup of tea.  Friday through Sunday she makes Omelets… so if you don’t work in Midtown, you can go visit her on the weekend for brunch!

If you eat lunch in Midtown, you have to go visit Madeliene.  She’s a true jem, and a unique and authentic Midtown find amidst a sea of generic delis and assembly line fast food.  She claims to be the “last person in New York who knows how to make a real crepe”.  After you taste them, you just might agree!

THE +

• If you are into crepes, these are the real deal, Brittany style crepes
• They are made fresh to order by Madeliene herself
• She used to run a kiosk in Central Park, so they can obviously be taken to go (although I’m curious how!?!  they are so delicate)
• Fresh, home-made toppings.  She made the applesauce for the crepes that morning!
• The savory crepes are good…. but the sweet is where it’s at!!!  Make sure to go with a friend or co-worker… it’s perfect to share.
• Madeleine is the sweetest lady, and is happy to tell you about everything she makes.  Plus she’d probably make you whatever you want- as long as she has the ingredients
• Madeliene makes tons of other things… Quiche, Omelets (Fri-Sun), and amazing home-made pastries.

THE -

• She’s only there Wednesday through Sunday during lunchtime.  Screw you Monday & Tuesday
• The CyberCafe is no Central Park… but one bite of the crepe, and you’ll forget where you are!
• The savory crepe alone is not enough food for lunch (and costs $7.50), so I would recommend to go with a friend or co-worker, each get a pie from the Tuck Shop for lunch, and split a dessert crepe afterwards!!!

Madeleine “The Crepe Lady”(in the CyberCafe), 250 W. 49th St. (btw. B’way & 8th)  212-757-8481