Oh the Blarney Stone, my divey Midtown sanctuary. I find solace in your burgers, and sliders, and corned beef, and Guinness, but what about the practicing Catholics among us? Surely they want to celebrate the end of the workweek regardless of Lenten responsibilities. Enter the Blarney’s Fried Fish Sandwich…
Posted by Blondie at 11:45 am, February 26th, 2010 under *3rd Ave. btw 43+45th, Blarney Stone, Lent.
As much I hate Chipotle, there is no denying that their model has proven to be incredibly successful. The chose your protein, carrying method, and toppings, assembly line structure allows for the high volume, quick service that a popular lunch destination in Midtown needs to be profitable. Meze Grill (on 8th Ave. btw. 55th+56th) opened their “Middle Eastern Chipotle” back in August, and it looks like Pump Energy Food is moving in that direction as well. But my favorite new ode to Chipotle has got to be Naya Express- the new quick service Lebanese spot on 3rd Ave. btw. 43+44th. It’s got the same assembly set up, and customizable menu… but with one noticeable difference. The food is really tasty.
Posted by Zach Brooks at 11:45 am, January 11th, 2010 under *3rd Ave. btw 43+45th, Falafel, Middle Eastern, NAYA Express, Review.
Eater dropped this great news late on Friday afternoon: “A PR rep informs us that Five Guys Burgers and Fries secured a lease for a 1,700 square foot space at 690 Third Avenue (between 43rd and 44th Streets).” For those keeping track, that’s the old Prince Deli space… and even though they had a 99 cent pizza deal, and decent falafel I don’t think it will be missed once Five Guys goes in!
Related:
Five Guys is NYC’s Closest Thing to In N Out Burger
SHOCKER: Prince Deli is Closed For Good
Posted by Zach Brooks at 9:00 am, July 13th, 2009 under *3rd Ave. btw 43+45th, Five Guys.
We’ve gotten word that come September the now shuttered Golden Krust, on 3rd. Ave. btw. 43+44th, will become NAYA Express- a cheaper version of the fancy Lebanese restaurant NAYA Mezze & Grill on 2nd Ave. From the owner: “It is going to be 80% of NAYA’s Lebanese Menu with some addition and much less expensive. Sandwiches will range from $5 to $8. Appetizers between $4 and $8.” That could be interesting…
Posted by Zach Brooks at 1:15 pm, June 17th, 2009 under *3rd Ave. btw 43+45th, Lebanese, NAYA Express.
I think I’m finally ready to go out on a limb here, and say that Crisp is one of the best falafel places in the city. That’s right. The yuppie-fied, way overpriced, unconventional falafel place (on 3rd Ave. btw. 43+44th) is serving up some of my favorite falafel in New York City. Is their bread as good as Olympic Pita (on 38th btw. 5+6th)? No. Is their menu as authentically Israeli as Azuri Cafe (on 10th Ave. and 51st). Uh… definitely not. And yet, each time I go there I really enjoy trying the strange flavor combinations they create. Sandwiches you cannot find anywhere else in NYC. And for that they deserve some recognition.
Last week, they introduced their entry into the Midtown Lunch Sandwich Challenge. The Taj: Falafel with mango chutney, lime chili pickles, greens, cherry tomatoes, poppadums, and a cold curry sauce inside a traditional Israeli pita. I tried it on Friday, and it solidified my feeling that Crisp may be one of the best Falafel places in New York City.
Posted by Zach Brooks at 11:30 am, March 16th, 2009 under *3rd Ave. btw 43+45th, Crisp, Falafel.
Speaking of Crisp-the overpriced falafel place on 3rd Ave. btw. 43+44th that I reluctantly admire for its boldness and tastiness-they’ve done a little menu switcheroo this week. They’ve gotten rid of the Milan (a falafel sandwich with roasted red peppers and feta) and added two new sandwiches. The first is the CLT. At $5.75 it is the cheapest option, and made with falafel, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. I admire them for trying to add a cheaper option, but how can you have a falafel without hummus (or at least tahini.) And, if you are going to get a standard falafel, Crisp is too expensive. There are cheaper options, that are good enough… like at the Prince Deli on the same block. If you are going to eat at crisp, you should get one of their special combos- like the Mexican (falafel with corn and avocado) which I’m kind of into.
Which brings us to their latest creation… “The Exotic”. Falafel with coriander spread, eggplant, cabbage, pineapple, and wasabi vinaigrette. I shit you not. How could I walk away without trying this monstrosity?
Posted by Zach Brooks at 11:45 am, October 29th, 2008 under *3rd Ave. btw 43+45th, Crisp, Falafel.
Eater is reporting that another Pret is opening on 3rd Ave. btw. 44+45th, right next to where the new Boi Sandwich is going to be opening. This should mean another one of those free sandwich giveaways. If you work near there, keep us up to date on the progress! (They usually hand out fliers the day before the grand opening…)
Posted by Zach Brooks at 3:00 pm, October 6th, 2008 under *3rd Ave. btw 43+45th, Free Stuff, Pret a Manger.
*********THE PRINCE DELI IS NOW CLOSED*********
I admit it. This post should have been done a long time ago. And I don’t have an excuse. I’ve walked by the Prince Deli (on 3rd Ave. btw. 43+44th) so many times in the past two years, and never once have I pulled the trigger. Admittedly, I usually hate generic Midtown delis like this, but the Prince has two things going for it. 1) 99 Cent Pizza. How can you not? And 2) a falafel sandwich that was touted by the New York Daily News as “the best in the neighborhood.” The article has proudly hung in the storefront for awhile now (although there is no date on it, so lord knows how long ago this was written.)
Anyway, I finally took the plunge last week, testing out their two signature dishes. Read more »
Posted by Zach Brooks at 12:10 pm, October 1st, 2008 under *3rd Ave. btw 43+45th, Falafel, Pizza, Prince Deli.
Oh what a difference an avenue makes! When Boi to Go, the fast food Vietnamese offshoot of the restaurant Boi, opened in May of last year, it caused me to walk one avenue farther than I think any Midtown Lunch’er should have to walk (it’s on 2nd Ave btw. 42+43rd.) But for the only banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) in Midtown, a man will do crazy things. That is also why I didn’t complain too much about the price tag ($7.50). Compared to Chinatown or Sunset Park, what Boi to Go serves is a not entirely authentic (what’s with the avocado?), overpriced sandwich. However, you put it next to most Midtown deli sandwiches, it is competitively priced- and freakin’ delicious. And now, it’s going to be one avenue closer- in proper Midtown Lunch’ing range.
In about month, Boi to Go will open a second offshoot on 3rd Ave. btw. 44+45th called “Boi Sandwich”. I haven’t heard exactly what the menu will be, or if it will effect what is going on at the original Boi to Go, but if they serve the same sandwiches I’ll be pretty damn excited. (Even though I could probably use the extra walking…)
Related: Boi to Go (aka How I Learned to Love the $7.50 Banh Mi)
Posted by Zach Brooks at 9:00 am, September 18th, 2008 under *3rd Ave. btw 43+45th, Boi to Go/Boi Sandwiches, Sandwiches, Vietnamese.
Tomorrow is Jamaica’s Independence Day, and Golden Krust is celebrating by selling their jerk chicken patties for 99 cents the entire month of August. With the Jamaican Dutchy (on 51st & 7th) readily available, I’ve never given GK their full +/-, but with 4 locations in Midtown- maybe it’s time. Thoughts?
4 Locations in Midtown:
Posted by Zach Brooks at 9:55 am, August 5th, 2008 under *3rd Ave. btw 43+45th, *8th Ave. btw. 39+40th), *Grand Central Terminal, 33rd btw. Bway+5th, Golden Krust, Jamaican.
