Now, I will admit that “The Floater” is an unfortunate name.  While it may be an Australian term for a pie covered in soup- it has come to mean something far grosser in our frat boyish American culture.  (As a matter of fact, when I told one of my co-workers what I had eaten for lunch… he joked that it was also what I “would be making in a few hours”)  But you can’t blame these guys… they’re Australian!  And it’s still a catchy name, even though the heavy pie doesn’t really float in Madeleine’s hearty pea soup.

The picture of “The Floater”, after the jump…

Make no mistake about it, it’s as heavy as it looks… but the perfect comfort food on a cold wet day.  How could it not be good?  It’s a meat pie (already good), covered in a pea soup made by a sweet old French Lady.  The Tuck Shop owners suggested that the traditional beef pie was the way to go (matching up perfectly with the soup)… and who am I to argue with an Aussie.  After the first bite of pie, the ground beef gushed out into the soup and created this slush of comfort food.  My boss, who couldn’t resist the pull of soup covered pie, noted that the only thing missing was a spoonful of mashed potatoes (something the owners say they are considering adding).

I have to admit, if I went back I would probably go with the Lamb or Chicken pie.  Although the ground beef and pea soup is a classic combo, a traditional Aussie beef pie is made with a tomato sauce or ketchup, and I didn’t like how the vinegar taste of the ketchup reacted with the pea soup- but that’s just my personal taste.  The simple fact is, if you like pie, and you like pea soup, you’re going to love The Floater!

(For more info about this place, read my pieces from last month about Tuck Shop & Madeleine the Crepe Lady)

But the most rewarding find, is the truly hidden jem.  The one that nobody tells you about.  The one you find on your own, without reading anything about it, or getting an email from a reader.  It’s pretty tough too.  There are very few places that I haven’t been emailed about, and somehow this double jem has managed to slip through the cracks.  Lucky for me, I walk by it every day on my way home from work…

I’m talking about the CyberCafe, a euro-style internet cafe that caters to backpackers and tourists looking to jump on-line while they sip on coffee or eat boring sandwiches and pastries.  But this is not your ordinary internet cafe.  Actually it is… in every way but one.  The food.  The CyberCafe is home to two of the best (and most unique) Midtown Lunch options:  Tuck Shop & Madeliene “The Crepe Lady”.  I have no idea how it happened, or what the business arrangement is, or who thought it would be a good idea to put these two delicious lunch options inside an internet cafe for tourists… but who cares.  It’s there, so we might as well take advantage of our stroke of good luck!

What’s a tuck shop, pictures, and more- after the jump…

I always complain about how I wish I worked in the East Village.  Momofuku Saam Bar, Vanessa’s Dumplings, Otafuku, tons of ramen bars… the list goes on and on.  Well finally, the East Village has come to Midtown.  The first Tuck Shop outpost, serving delicious Australian Meat Pies, is on 1st St. btw. 1st & 2nd Ave.  Their second is in Midtown… inside the CyberCafe.  Now, I don’t want to get preachy… but if you are like me- and want to see more of these kind of places (and less boring delis and fast food chains) opening in Midtown, you gotta support!  Show those East Village hipster restaurant owners that Midtown is where it’s at!!!  (Ok… now I sound silly.  Forget that last part…)  Here’s how to get your delicious Aussie Meat Pie…   

The “Tuck Shop” part of the internet cafe is basically a glass case filled with meat (and vegetable) pies.  The name comes from something that exists at most schools in Australia, and is usually run on a volunteer basis by the kids’ moms.  In the morning, you drop off a brown paper bag with your lunch order on the outside and your money on the inside.  At lunch time, you would go to the tuck shop and pick up your bagged lunch.  Sounds awesome!  Especially if that lunch is a meat pie!

If you’ve ever been to the UK, and enjoyed a steak & kidney pie, or a cornish pasty- then you pretty much get the idea.  Pie, filled with meat and veg.  Simple and delicious.. and the Tuck Shop doesn’t disappoint! (For those who have never been out of the country, think KFC Chicken Pot Pie- but good.)  For $5 you can choose between a number of different pies filled with beef, chicken, lamb or vegetables.  They also have a curry pie option, and daily pie specials.  If you’re just looking for a snack, they also have $3 sausage rolls, and veg rolls.

If combos are your thing, then $8 gets you any meat pie with a salad, and $10 gets you the “Tucker Box”… any pie, salad, soda and a bite size dessert.  I would recommend going with a friend,  that way, you each can get a pie, and then share one of Madeliene “The Crepe Lady”’s delicious sweet crepes!  She also makes savory crepes, quiche, pastries and more… but more on that tomorrow.  Madeliene deserves her very own “Hidden Jems of the CyberCafe” post!!!

THE +

• If you like flaky pies, filled with meat and vegetables- you will love the Tuck Shop
• The pies sit in a glass case, so the potential for them to taste not so fresh is there.  Surprisingly, they were flaky on the outside and warm and delicious on the inside.  (Freshness not guaranteed as the day goes on…)
• Easy to take to go, and could be eaten with your hands (Not like a “Shepherd’s Pie” you would get at an Irish Bar that needs to be eaten with a fork and knife)

THE -

• If you don’t like meat and veg pies, this pie is probably not going to change your mind.
• They are cheap, but on the small size.  If you are a fat man (like me), a $5 pie is probably not going to fill you up.  I would recommend getting a pie, and then sharing a sweet crepe (from Madeliene “The Crepe Lady”) with a friend.  You’ll be full, and lunch will cost about $15-$17 for the two of you.  Totally reasonable for a freshly made crepe, and a delicious meat pie!
• It’s not health food (but not too greasy either…)

Tuck Shop (in the Cyber Cafe), 250 W. 49th St. (btw. B’way & 8th Ave.), 212-757-8481