Midtown Lunch

Last week I noticed Richmond’s Homemade Italian Ice truck parked on the SE corner of 40th St & 6th Ave. near Bryant Park.  I’ve actually seen them parked randomly at different places throughout the city, and I guess now they’re trying to settle into Midtown? Sadly, when I went by Bryant Park around 12:30pm yesterday the truck was nowhere to be found. The guy in the truck had mentioned last week that they had trouble finding good parking, and it’s no surprise they had trouble parking near Bryant Park (bet you $$ that Mister Softee was involved.)  They have all your standard flavors like lemon, cherry, watermelon, and they also do milkshakes. Hopefully they’ll find a spot in Midtown… after all, more trucks = a good thing, right?  (Crazy batshit insane Misguided City Council members, you don’t need to answer that question.)

Anybody seen this truck pop up elsewhere in Midtown?  Let us know in the comments…

Damn, that looks good!

Miss Softee returned to action this week (not just to live blog the City Counil meeting on Wednesday) but to sell soft serve too!  Today she’s parked on 44th and 6th, and there’s been a bit of drama with the coffee vendor on that corner… so as a way to coexist they’ve decided to offer ice cream coffee floats for $4 for the rest of the day.  We can totally support that, and not just because it’s a delicious looking treat.  It’s also nice to see vendors working together, as opposed to the alternative.  Get out there and show your support…

Today The New York Times shared a few spots around town for shaved ice, and one of them just happens to be in Midtown! Many of you who frequent K-town maybe already know about Koryodang Bakery (on 32nd btw. B’way+5th) for their baked goods (and strawberry shortcake?), but did you know they also serve up a good shaved ice? They offer two kinds, one with fruit and ice cream, another without it (although who would get it without!?) For $6.25 you get a large bowl of shaved ice with ice cream (green tea or red bean), and an assortment of fruits and a couple of mochi bits. It comes together really well and it’s definitely a refreshing summertime option for those of you in lower Midtown who want to forgo froyo.  Thanks New York Times!

Koryodang, 31 West 32nd St (btw. B’way+5th), 212-967-9661

You guys know I love my sweets and now that it is officially summer it’s time for an all-out attack on anything sweet and frozen. I got super jealous of you Midtown Westerners with the opening of Grom last month, but it inspired me to search out what Midtown East has in the way of delicious summertime treats…

Best Ice Cream: 5th Avenue Chocolatiere (3rd btn 43rd+44th)

I’ve never picked this chocolate shop to satisfy my cravings, until now. I got the Italian Cookie Ice Cream, and it was crazy good with a melty chocolate ribbon going through it. Bonus points: you also get a free truffle.

Honorable Mention: Cafe Zaiya (41st btn Mad+5th)

One of the few places around where you can get soft serve with an Asian twist, my favorite’s the Black Sesame. They now offer Kinako, made with soybean powder, and little servings of hard ice cream. Your best bet is to let this sucker melt a bit or you’ll be flinging ice cream all over.

Read more »

‘Tis the season to eat ice cream and with some sunny and warm weather in the forecast today, might I suggest a slightly out of bound excursion to Holey Cream in Hell’s Kitchen for a donut ice cream sandwich? After all if there’s any day it would be ok to enjoy a doughnut ice cream sandwich for lunch, it’s National Doughnut Day!

Read more »

It takes a special kind of iron stomach to be able to appreciate the gut busting powers of a Chinese steam table take-out lunch. Many people are into Ying Du (on 38th btw. 7+8th), but I think they’ve not been the same since they changed their name from 38th St restaurant and bakery and then had to stop cutting roast meats to order (and apparently portions are getting smaller as well.) Even though they do pile on the food, and the price is ridiculous, I still try to find the next hidden treasure of steam table goodness. So when my former roommate told me about Fuji Restaurant and Bakery, I got intrigued about the possibility of another good option for cheap and filling Chinese food.

Read more »

The lunch menu from Ma Peche (aka Momofuku Midtown on 56th btw. 5+6th) was revealed yesterday,  and obviously we were a bit worried to not see the $10 lunch specials listed anywhere.  Well, got an official update and the $10 Midtown Lunch specials aren’t going anywhere! You’ll be able to order them online daily for pick up. As for the Milk Bar, there’s good news and bad news.  The bad news is, they won’t be serving pork buns.  The good news is, they will be serving cookies, pies, whole cakes (office party!), savory breads (green curry banana bread FTW) and salty pistachio and cereal milk soft serve. Yes, you read that right. Salty pistachio soft serve will be making its triumphant return to NYC next week… and it’s happening in Midtown. Take that East Village!

Ma Peche, 15 West 56th St. (btw. 5+6th)

Related:
Ma Peche Reveals Lunch Menu! (Cheap Bastards Mourn)

Hello chocolate covered matzoh! Photo courtesy of Mamacita.

Early today we told you about Passover lunches, but what’s a good holiday without some good desserts?! If you’re still in need of something to bring to Seder tonight (or just looking for an afternoon pick me up), here are some sweet options you can choose from.

Read more »

Totally forgot to mention this… my trip to 57 Napoli Pizza e Vino wasn’t all bad. The deli downstairs sells a motley arrangement of quality baked goods: a selection of macarons from Macaron Cafe, various super-large cookies from Eleni’s, and morning pastries from Ceci-Cela. On my way out, I picked up a chocolate and salted caramel macaron that tasted fresh enough (even though the salted caramel had shamrocks on it.) A great find for sweets lovers in Midtown North…

C’est Bon Cafe, 120 E. 57th (btw. Mad+Park), 212-888-7272