Midtown Lunch

Now that Downtown has its very own section of the site, what are we going to post on Fridays at 10am? Answer… how about a new column devoted to those lunches just south of the ML boundaries. Every week we’ll post about a lunch in Murray Hill south, Gramercy, Flatiron, and everything in between… or as we’ll call it from now on: Flatiron Lunch.

Thai food restaurants are few and far between in Midtown South. Up until a week or so ago, the only option I knew of near my office was Lemongrass Grill (on 34th btw. Lex+3rd). Every several months I end up there with co-workers and we all get the exact same dish we always get and then bathe it in the various sauces that are on hand and hope for something more interesting than usual (it rarely succeeds.)

Then, the other day, I spotted Taan Thai Cuisine. Actually, I spotted the signs for JoeyThai, presumably the previous restaurant in this spot. Apparently, no one thought it necessary to bother changing signs- but  I’m fine with that because the food is a vast improvement over the other Thai options in the area.
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Getting good Vietnamese food in New York City is a tough task. Most purists would say you can’t get any good stuff here, while others will proclaim Manhattan doesn’t have it but the outer boroughs does. So, naturally, it’s pretty bleak for those of us here in Midtown. When Boi Noodles announced they were opening on 40th btw. 7+8th, it was exciting news for those of us on the west side of Midtown. From the reviews of Boi to Go and Boi Sandwich on the east side, I kind of knew what to expect- not the best Vietnamese food of all time, but hopefully better than Chicken House (on 36th btw. 7+8th.)

So, how did Boi Noodles stack up to my expectations?

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In the forums yesterday there was news about a new BRGR opening at the edges of the ML border, by 61st and 3rd ave. (We can’t be everywhere, and always appreciate it when you guys let us know about stuff like this.) I stopped by to check out the scene and see what’s on the menu. They tout grass-fed beef burgers from $7.55 to $10 with all sorts of fillings. They all seem to come with grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and pickles though. Fries are $2.50, sweet potato fries are $3.50, and the shakes are $5.50. You can see their full menu on their website, and a shot of the interior is after the jump.

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Last month, I pondered what Leña Grill would be bringing to 35th btw. 5+6th. I feared that ‘Grill’ seemed a little too fancy and thus out of the ML price range, but thankfully that doesn’t seem to be the case. I passed by this morning and asked the folks working on the space a bit about the place. Unlike previous attempts that were greeted with “I think it’s going to be a restaurant,” I got some more info.

Details and a shot of the menu after the jump.

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Apparently the Dosa Cart that was spotted on 39th and 7th a few weeks back and then promptly disappeared has moved one avenue East (or maybe it was always on 6th, who knows?) Bionic Bites twittered this photo yesterday, which we are pretty sure is from the NE Corner of 39th and 6th. Any dosa fans out there? Early adopters, let us know how this new cart is in the comments…

Falafel Sandwich from Azuri Cafe (on 51st btw. 9+10th)

Serious Eats: New York posted the results of their big falafel taste off yesterday, and, in what is quite possibly the least surprising win of all time, Taim took home the top prize. I’m not saying they’re wrong, I’m just saying Serious Eats loves Taim, and if Vegas had taken bets on this contest you probably would have had to wager $1,000,000 to win $5 betting on Taim to win this one.  Midtown held its own though… Azuri Cafe (technically out of bounds, on 51st btw. 9+10th, but we’re claiming them as our own!) came in 2nd, Maoz (on 40th & 7th) came in 4th, Pick a Pita (on 8th btw. 39+40th) came in 5th, and Olympic Pita came in 6th.  It’s worth noting that even SENY admits that Taim’s falafel is not perfectly constructed, leaving you with falafel-less bites at the end, which as far as we’re concerned is the biggest sin a falafel sandwich can commit (we’re looking at you Moshe’s!) and where Azuri Cafe excels (seriously, the guy is a falafel maestro with the layering.)  But there’s no shame in 2nd (or 6th for that matter!), and at least they all fared better than Moshe’s, Meze Grill, and Crisp who were all eliminated before the finals.  Check out the complete results here>>

Related:
2009 Readers’ Poll: Best Falafel

This week’s New York Magazine has a list of the 101 Best Sandwiches in New York City, and while usually these features are just a list of rehashed, “been there, done that” entries, this one has got some great looking Midtown sandwiches we have yet to try. Sure, some ML faves are in there- like the Chacarero Completo from Barros Luco (#97), the Roast pork special at Shorty’s (#85), the Katsu sandwich at Tebaya (#69), the PMB from Sullivan St. Bakery (#53), Banh Mi at Ma Peche (#48), and the Sloppy Bao from Baoguette (#20). But there was also the off our radar Bombay Pav Vada from Sukhadia’s Gokul (#93), the Telera Sandwich from Mangia (#94), Cemita Al Pastor from Tulcingo del Valle (#67), and the Tuna sandwich at Bouchon Bakery (#19). And to finish things off there was highest placing Midtown(ish) sandwich: Duke’s Chicken Churasco from Island Burgers & Shakes at #15.

Agree or disagree, the list should provide at least two weeks worth of lunch ideas for you. See the complete thing here>>

If I say 5th Avenue Empire Cafe… you say… wha?! Exactly. Where is that? You could walk up and down fifth avenue and never see this restaurant. They have a banner outside on the sidewalk but it fails to mention the name. What’s more strange and awesome about this place (and certainly has contributed to its anonymity) is that it’s in a place where most Midtown Lunchers would never visit… a touristy souvenir shop. Beneath the shadows of the Empire State Building on 5th Ave btw. 33+34th, sits a little souvenir store that would be like any other… except they have a restaurant on the second floor. Of course, it’s a Chinese restaurant. With bubble tea! And General Tso’s chicken…

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If you like Kosher food, but want to be healthy (?) you’ll be interested in this news from Lunch’er Adam. He spotted this truck on 48th and 6th yesterday. Unsurprisingly the website painted on the truck doesn’t work, and we can’t imagine they’ll be able to keep parking on 48th and 6th every single day. We’ll see if they’re back today… early (Kosher?) adopters, let us know how it is in the comments.