Archive for 'Le Pain Quotidien'

Where To Get Your Pumpkin Fix In Midtown



I love pumpkin, and I get really excited during this time of year when seasonal pumpkin dishes start popping up on menus. Yet, if there is one thing I can’t stand, it is the pumpkin spice latte. It makes me nuts when Starbucks declares that they have the seasonal drink in stores (which was months ago, by the way — waaaaay too early for my pumpkin cravings), and people get so excited. Every couple of years I think to myself, “Self, you should give that drink another shot — it can’t be that bad if everyone and their mother is excited.” And then, half a second after the first sip, I think to myself, “Self, it can’t possibly taste this way on purpose, can it?!” It is coffee for people who hate coffee and clearly don’t understand the nuances of the pumpkin.

Now that that is off my chest, let’s talk about some of the wonderful pumpkin dishes Midtown is currently offering, for when you get that pumpkin craving.

Pumpkin Muffin from Le Pain Quotidien

If you’re looking for pumpkin for breakfast, Le Pain Quotidien does a very nice pumpkin muffin ($2.85). I am especially a fan of the pumpkin seeds on top — they add a textural contrast and sweetness to balance the spices inside the muffin.

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Le Pain Quotidien Continues Their NYC Takeover

Le Pain Quotidien Coming Soon

I have a secret obsession with Le Pain Quotidien, which is only secret because I feel somewhat ashamed about rooting for pricey (but oh so good) chocolate croissants and iced coffee.  But in my defense, some of their sandwiches are Midtown Lunch approved.  We first mentioned LPQ’s stealthy Starbucks-like takeover of Midtown in November and, judging by the “Coming Soon” sign that just went up on the corner of E 44th & 3rd Ave. (and their recent takeover of Central Park), it looks like they’re not stopping just yet.

Related:
Bryant Park Le Pain Quotidien Sandwich Size Puts ‘wichcraft to Shame

Is LPQ Growing Too Fast?: Le Pain Quotidien opened 2 new Midtown locations in 2009, and with new branches coming soon to the Time/Life Building and Central Park the New York Observer asks if they are growing too fast. High quality lunch spot, or the next Au Bon Pain?  What do you think... [via Grub Street]

Le Pain Quotidien Continues Midtown Expansion

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A fifth Midtown LPQ (and second this year) has just opened up on 50th street btw. 6+7th. Rock Center is already pretty saturated with sandwich/salad/soup spots like this, but Le Pain Quotidien is far better than any of the other options and I’m guessing a lot of people in the area won’t mind paying the extra $1 or $2 for their baguettes. Be afraid Au Bon Pain, be very very afraid.

A look at their sandwich board is after the jump.

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Le Pain Quotidien Quietly Opens on 53rd

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I guess it’s been awhile since I walked down 53rd Street… the Le Pain Quotidien that had been under construction forever apparently opened a few months ago.  I’m not a huge fan of the soup/salad/sandwich lunch spot, but LPQ is a far better option than Cafe Mentro (IMHO), and that area is not exactly chock full of great options.

There are now 4 locations in Midtown:

  • 70 West 40th Street (btw. 6+7th), 212-354-5224
  • 7 E. 53rd Street (btw. Mad+5th),  646-845-0012
  • 922 7th Ave. (on 58th Street), 212-757-0775
  • 937 Second Avenue (btw. 49+50th), 646-240-4670

Update in the comments:  And apparently another one is coming soon to 50th btw. 6+7th

Related:
Bryant Park Le Pain Quotidien Sandwich Size Puts ‘wichcraft to Shame

Bryant Park Le Pain Quotidien Sandwich Size Puts ‘wichcraft to Shame

Le Pain Quotidien

Le Pain Quotidien, the bread/sandwich/salad/bakery chain from Brussels, quietly opened its second Midtown location back in October on 40th St. btw. 5+6th, across from Bryant Park.  It probably wasn’t all that quiet to LPQ fans in the area, but for this hater of expensive Midtown bread/sandwich/salad/bakery chains it went virtually unnoticed.  After Profiled Midtown Lunch’er Janine mentioned it last Tuesday, I thought maybe it was time to go check it out.  While I normally detest paying over $7 for a sandwich, if it’s done right- with really nice ingredients, I will occasionally splurge for something really good. ‘wichcraft  has managed to rope me in despite having tiny sandwiches.  LPQ will have to a little better to lure me away from my goto Bryant Park lunch.

Two sandwiches attempt to be worth $9, and the biggest cookie in Midtown- after the jump…  Read more »