Midtown Lunch

When I walked by Danku, the Dutch/Indonesian chain on 57th btw. 5+6th earlier today, there was a guy outside handing out free samples of hot chocolate. He told me he’s out there all day, and also hands out bites of their krokets- so if you’ve been interested, and work in the area it may be worth swinging by. The early reviews of this place have ranged from “excellent” (I only saw that once, and based on my experience is highly suspect) to “just ok” to “bland” to “gross”. I did, however, notice one change from my first visit on the day they opened… the noodles they are serving are completely different from the (terrible) ones I tried, and they now come topped with what looks like fried garlic (an authentic Indonesian touch.) All the combos also now come with shrimp crackers, another welcomed improvement. You have to hand it to them… at least they’re trying. I think I’ve given them enough time to sort things out, so a full +/- might be coming soon.

According to this article, Citigroup employees just have to say the word “Citigroup” to the cashier and their lunch is covered at the Cafe Metro on Lexington and 46th. The author questions whether or not a company that is being bailed out by the Government should be buying lunches for its employees. I’m more interested to know if we could get free lunch by pretending we work for Citigroup.

Just so you don’t think that major chains are recession proof… after 13 years the Ben & Jerry’s on 8th Ave and 43rd St. has closed! It may not be a huge deal today, but the reverberations will be felt throughout Midtown West come the next “free ice cream day” (it’s one of only two real B&J’s locations in Midtown). Thankfully we still have the one in the Rock Center Concourse.

The teary letter is after the jump…

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From an email tipster: “Free food at Old Bridge today! Free coffee and a buttered roll until 10am and then FREE SOUP and premade sandwiches at lunch!” Clearly the OBD is following the U.S. economic strategy.  What do you do when you have racked up a ton of debt?  Free giveaway for everyone!!! Enjoy freeloaders… the deli is on Lexington and 41st Street.

Update: Another tipster just emailed to let us know that you can get a bagel, instead of a roll this morning. And you have the option of one small hot buffet item instead of the premade sandwiches from Noon to 2pm.

Grub Street reports that the final new Chipotle opening in 2008 will be on Madison and 39th, on December 11th- and they’ll be celebrating old school style on December 10th with free burritos from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.  6 p.m. No acoustic bands, no Halloween costumes, and no charity tie-in… just free food, given away to hoardes of freeloaders, just like the old days.  I’m down with that.

Thanks to Lunch’er Carl for alerting us to this one: Godiva will be giving out free truffles at all their participating locations today (11/20) from 1 to 3 pm. In bounds locations for Midtown Lunch are: the Met Life Building (200 Park Ave.), Grand Central Station (Lexington Passage), Times Square (B’way + 41st), Rockefeller Center, Lexington & 50th, 7th Ave & 50th, and the Shops at Columbus Circle. For other locations go to their website.

Just got this message from Dylan’s Candy Bar (just out of bounds on 3rd Ave. & 60th Street): “I just wanted to let you know that Dylan’s Candy Bar will be giving out FREE ice cream scoops Noon-2 to anyone who’d like to watch and cheer on Julia Allison and the NonSociety ladies as they film their first official public Lip Dub, ‘I Want Candy’.”  Midtown Lunch Translation:  “Dylan’s Candy Bar will giving away FREE ice cream scoops Noon to 2 blah blah blah.”  The best part is, you’ll be right across the street from the El Rey Del Sabor Mexican Cart.