Midtown Lunch

Yesterday Kati Roll debuted their latest creation, a shrimp masala roll by Top Chef Angelo Sosa, and Fork in the Road was there to test it out.  Their verdict?  “The shrimp were cooked on a grill, but evidence of their coconut milk and chaat masala marinade was a bit more elusive. That said, the shrimp was definitely flavorful, if a bit overcooked.”  Kati Roll… pack up your knives and go.  We kid Kati Roll, we kid.  The review goes on to say that all in all it was as “delectable” as their other creations.  Read the whole review here>>

Don’t forget… today Kati Roll Co. is debuting Angelo Sosa’s new Shrimp Masala Roll, and the Top Chef will be there himself from Noon to 2pm. I happened to be by Kati Roll earlier this week for lunch with Blondie and  had a chance to sample their Chana Masala roll for the first time. Read more »

Got some crazy new in the old ML inbox yesterday afternoon… Just 4 months after closing down his Hell’s Kitchen sandwich shop Xie Xie, Top Chef Angelo Sosa is returning to Midtown once again- this time in collaboration with ML fave Kati Roll (on 39th btw. 5+6th).  On Monday Thursday (2/3) Kati Roll will debut the all new Shrimp Masala Roll, designed by Sosa himself, featuring shrimp, marinated in coconut milk and chaat masala spices, cooked over a open-flame grill and… topped with sweet and sour marinated red onions and birdseye chilis… and finished with a swath of cilantro sauce. But wait, there’s more! Sosa will personally debut the roll on Monday Thursday from Noon to 2pm at the Midtown location.

Get a sneak peak at his creation, after the jump…

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As much as I love the Chennai roll at the Biryani Cart, when it comes to spicy, red onion topped kati roll goodness nothing beats the original Kati Roll (on 39th btw. 5+6th).  And now they’ve added a new option to their menu: whole wheat roti.  Starting two weeks ago, Kati Roll started offering this wrapper alternative to their fresh fried paratha.  The new bread option is very thin, is whole wheat and is roasted- as opposed to the paratha which is slightly thicker, made from white flour, and pan fried.

The fresh fried bread is one of my favorite parts of the kati roll, but I’m always down with a little bit of change- so I headed to 39th Street on Thursday to check out the new option.

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Always Hungry has a write up on Tabla’s Indian street food “cart”, which is set up in front of the restaurant located next to Madison Square Park. It’s a little pricey, and way out of the Midtown Lunch boundaries- but the piece distinguishes between the kati roll (which we all know very well) and the “Frankie”, a term you are seeing more and more in NYC.

A Frankie is an Indian wrap best described as a Mumbai burrito. The construction of a frankie sounds very similar to a Kati (Roti) roll, but among the Indian community they could not be more different.

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While I was away in Chile, I turned the site over to you for the first ever Midtown Lunch Readers’ Poll.  All of the nominees had to have lunch for under $10 (except the buffet category, where a $1 exception was made), and they all had to be within the Midtown boundaries (32nd St. to the South, Central Park to the North, 3rd Ave on the East, and 8th Ave. to the West).  Thanks to everyone who participated.  Thousands of votes were cast, and here are the results:

Best Fast Food Indian: Kati Roll

Despite changing locations this year (Kati Roll is now on 39th btw. 5+6th), Indian burritos just barely beat out old steam table standby (and former neighbor) Minar, on 46th btw. 6+7th.  35% to 32%  Editor’s Pick: Man do I miss being 2 blocks away from Kati Roll.  It’s the unanimous winner.

Best Cheap Chinese Food: Hing Won

“Cheap” is code for fast food, take out Chinese, and while Szechuan Gourmet (on 39th btw. 5+6th) may possibly be the best Chinese food in Midtown- Hing Won/Hop Won wins the battle of the steam tables, easily beating out the competition.  Editor’s Pick:  No secret here.  Hing Won was my first Midtown Lunch post, and still remains my favorite Chinese food take out in Midtown.

Best burger, best street carts and a best pizza shocker, after the jump… Read more »