Madeleine, the sweet French lady who makes Brittany crepes in the Cyber Cafe (on 49th btw. B’way+8th), posted this comment on Midtown Lunch yesterday:

“Hi this is “Madeleine the crepe lady” I am still at Cyber Cafe. Turns out the cyber cafe will not be turning into a hotel. So come and enjoy my crepes.”

Who said old ladies don’t know how to use the internet! I guess she has learned a thing or two working in the Cyber Cafe. It does seem like a good day for a crepe.

Not in the mood for a crepe, Cyber Cafe has added a new item to the menu.

Homemade baked ziti… wha!?! I guess the question is, whose home? I also noticed pies from the Tuck Shop are back. I feel like it’s been awhile since I’ve seen those in stock. For those who are new to the Cyber Cafe- Tuck Shop used to operate a counter out of the internet cafe (alongside Madeliene the Crepe Lady), but they left a year and a half ago, and now just sell their pies wholesale to the store.

Cyber Cafe, 250 W. 49th St. (btw. B’way & 8th)  212-757-8481

I don’t know what Bastille Day is, but I know it’s French- so why not use it as an excuse to eat the most French Midtown Lunch there is.  It’s been almost 2 years since I wrote about the Cyber Cafe (on 49th btw. 7+8th), an internet cafe that was home to two of the strangest lunches in Midtown: a satellite version of Tuck Shop (the Lower East Side Aussie Meat Pie place) and Madeleine “The Crepe Lady”, a French woman who made authentic Breton style crepes on Wednesday through Sunday.  Tuck Shop closed up awhile ago (although the Cafe may still sell their pies, I’m not sure) but Madeleine is still there 5 days a week (Wed-Sun) serving up the best crepes in Midtown.  Unfortunately she’s not there on Mondays- but it’s still worth posting about considering the holiday.  She makes savory crepes and sweet crepes and if you haven’t checked it out, you’re missing out on one of the hidden gems of Midtown Lunch’ing.

Crepe porn, after the jump… 

If you can’t wait until Wednesday for your crepe fix, and must celebrate Bastille Day today- there are the two “Crepe Carts” operating in Midtown; one on 50 btw. 6+7th, and one on 53rd btw. 5+6th.  (But trust me, Madeleine’s are worth the wait…)

Related: Madeleine “The Crepe Lady” (or Hidden Gems of the CyberCafe Part 2)

Popped in there the other day and as an Aussie I have to say it was disappointing. They only wholesale to this store now and so the selection is as big. Frankly the pies weren’t up to scratch, though i have to say i have pretty high pie standards ;) The sausage roll was all right though.

Well, this is not surprising considering that (as you mentioned) the Tuck Shop is no longer affiliated with the Cyber Cafe. 

They decided to stop running the Cyber Cafe location in order to focus on their new wholesale business which they hope will put Tuck Shop pies in pubs all over the city… and considering there are one or two of those in Midtown, I’m guessing this is not the last we’ve seen of the Tuck Shop. 

Truthfully, I always felt the Cyber Cafe didn’t give the pies the TLC they deserved.  Luckily they don’t have anything to do with Madeleine the Crepe Lady, who is still set up at the old C.C. Wed-Sun serving up freshly made, real deal French crepes from Brittany!

Now, I will admit that “The Floater” is an unfortunate name.  While it may be an Australian term for a pie covered in soup- it has come to mean something far grosser in our frat boyish American culture.  (As a matter of fact, when I told one of my co-workers what I had eaten for lunch… he joked that it was also what I “would be making in a few hours”)  But you can’t blame these guys… they’re Australian!  And it’s still a catchy name, even though the heavy pie doesn’t really float in Madeleine’s hearty pea soup.

The picture of “The Floater”, after the jump…

Make no mistake about it, it’s as heavy as it looks… but the perfect comfort food on a cold wet day.  How could it not be good?  It’s a meat pie (already good), covered in a pea soup made by a sweet old French Lady.  The Tuck Shop owners suggested that the traditional beef pie was the way to go (matching up perfectly with the soup)… and who am I to argue with an Aussie.  After the first bite of pie, the ground beef gushed out into the soup and created this slush of comfort food.  My boss, who couldn’t resist the pull of soup covered pie, noted that the only thing missing was a spoonful of mashed potatoes (something the owners say they are considering adding).

I have to admit, if I went back I would probably go with the Lamb or Chicken pie.  Although the ground beef and pea soup is a classic combo, a traditional Aussie beef pie is made with a tomato sauce or ketchup, and I didn’t like how the vinegar taste of the ketchup reacted with the pea soup- but that’s just my personal taste.  The simple fact is, if you like pie, and you like pea soup, you’re going to love The Floater!

(For more info about this place, read my pieces from last month about Tuck Shop & Madeleine the Crepe Lady)

Tuck Shop in the CyberCafe was weird enough.  But now this place has got a “Crepe Lady”.  Total craziness…  what kind of internet cafe is this???  But who am I to argue with this kind of deliciousness.  Thankfully I didn’t let the surroundings fool me into not trying a crepe, because Madeleine is the real deal.  And by real deal I mean this sweet, charming, amazing “Crepe Lady” is actually from Brittany…  the birthplace of crepes.  And she’s been making these French treats since she was 13 years old!  I think it’s safe to say she knows what she’s doing.

Food porn, the complete list of what she serves, and the +/- (with not so much of the minus), after the jump…

Crepe places have been popping up around the country in the past 10 years, but Madeleine’s are the original.  These aren’t mall food court crepes, folded into a portable triangle, with a thick crispy pancake making you feel like you’re holding a brick.  Madeleine’s crepes are expertly made, with an ultra thin skin that takes real talent to pull off.  They are served on a plate, and must be eaten with a knife and fork.  I’m curious how you would ever take one of these delicate treats to go… but apparently it can be done (she used to serve them in Central Park!).  I’ve never been to Brittany… but I imagine this is what it taste likes.

Madeleine has almost every kind of crepe filling you could want, including Apricot Jam ($5), Lemon & Honey ($5), Bananas ($6), Apples ($6), Peaches ($7.50), and of course Nutella (the chocolate hazelnut spread).  If savory is what you are looking for, she makes a Mushroom and Cheese Crepe ($7.50), a Ham & Cheese Crepe ($7.50) and an Apple and Brie Crepe ($7.50).  Or have a semi-”liquid” lunch with a Chestnut/Rum crepe ($7.50), or a Grand Marnier Crepe ($5).  Every crepe is made to order, right in front of you, by Madeleine herself.

We had the Mushroom & Cheese crepe (along with a pie from the tuck shop as our lunch), and the peach crepe for dessert, which on that day was made with white peaches and an applesauce that Madeleine had made fresh that morning.  Decadent and delicious!  If crepes aren’t your thing, she also makes quiches, and a bunch of different pastries- like a Danish Pudding, and a french style “King Cake” that was awesome with a cup of tea.  Friday through Sunday she makes Omelets… so if you don’t work in Midtown, you can go visit her on the weekend for brunch!

If you eat lunch in Midtown, you have to go visit Madeliene.  She’s a true jem, and a unique and authentic Midtown find amidst a sea of generic delis and assembly line fast food.  She claims to be the “last person in New York who knows how to make a real crepe”.  After you taste them, you just might agree!

THE +

• If you are into crepes, these are the real deal, Brittany style crepes
• They are made fresh to order by Madeliene herself
• She used to run a kiosk in Central Park, so they can obviously be taken to go (although I’m curious how!?!  they are so delicate)
• Fresh, home-made toppings.  She made the applesauce for the crepes that morning!
• The savory crepes are good…. but the sweet is where it’s at!!!  Make sure to go with a friend or co-worker… it’s perfect to share.
• Madeleine is the sweetest lady, and is happy to tell you about everything she makes.  Plus she’d probably make you whatever you want- as long as she has the ingredients
• Madeliene makes tons of other things… Quiche, Omelets (Fri-Sun), and amazing home-made pastries.

THE -

• She’s only there Wednesday through Sunday during lunchtime.  Screw you Monday & Tuesday
• The CyberCafe is no Central Park… but one bite of the crepe, and you’ll forget where you are!
• The savory crepe alone is not enough food for lunch (and costs $7.50), so I would recommend to go with a friend or co-worker, each get a pie from the Tuck Shop for lunch, and split a dessert crepe afterwards!!!

Madeleine “The Crepe Lady”(in the CyberCafe), 250 W. 49th St. (btw. B’way & 8th)  212-757-8481

But the most rewarding find, is the truly hidden jem.  The one that nobody tells you about.  The one you find on your own, without reading anything about it, or getting an email from a reader.  It’s pretty tough too.  There are very few places that I haven’t been emailed about, and somehow this double jem has managed to slip through the cracks.  Lucky for me, I walk by it every day on my way home from work…

I’m talking about the CyberCafe, a euro-style internet cafe that caters to backpackers and tourists looking to jump on-line while they sip on coffee or eat boring sandwiches and pastries.  But this is not your ordinary internet cafe.  Actually it is… in every way but one.  The food.  The CyberCafe is home to two of the best (and most unique) Midtown Lunch options:  Tuck Shop & Madeliene “The Crepe Lady”.  I have no idea how it happened, or what the business arrangement is, or who thought it would be a good idea to put these two delicious lunch options inside an internet cafe for tourists… but who cares.  It’s there, so we might as well take advantage of our stroke of good luck!

What’s a tuck shop, pictures, and more- after the jump…

I always complain about how I wish I worked in the East Village.  Momofuku Saam Bar, Vanessa’s Dumplings, Otafuku, tons of ramen bars… the list goes on and on.  Well finally, the East Village has come to Midtown.  The first Tuck Shop outpost, serving delicious Australian Meat Pies, is on 1st St. btw. 1st & 2nd Ave.  Their second is in Midtown… inside the CyberCafe.  Now, I don’t want to get preachy… but if you are like me- and want to see more of these kind of places (and less boring delis and fast food chains) opening in Midtown, you gotta support!  Show those East Village hipster restaurant owners that Midtown is where it’s at!!!  (Ok… now I sound silly.  Forget that last part…)  Here’s how to get your delicious Aussie Meat Pie…   

The “Tuck Shop” part of the internet cafe is basically a glass case filled with meat (and vegetable) pies.  The name comes from something that exists at most schools in Australia, and is usually run on a volunteer basis by the kids’ moms.  In the morning, you drop off a brown paper bag with your lunch order on the outside and your money on the inside.  At lunch time, you would go to the tuck shop and pick up your bagged lunch.  Sounds awesome!  Especially if that lunch is a meat pie!

If you’ve ever been to the UK, and enjoyed a steak & kidney pie, or a cornish pasty- then you pretty much get the idea.  Pie, filled with meat and veg.  Simple and delicious.. and the Tuck Shop doesn’t disappoint! (For those who have never been out of the country, think KFC Chicken Pot Pie- but good.)  For $5 you can choose between a number of different pies filled with beef, chicken, lamb or vegetables.  They also have a curry pie option, and daily pie specials.  If you’re just looking for a snack, they also have $3 sausage rolls, and veg rolls.

If combos are your thing, then $8 gets you any meat pie with a salad, and $10 gets you the “Tucker Box”… any pie, salad, soda and a bite size dessert.  I would recommend going with a friend,  that way, you each can get a pie, and then share one of Madeliene “The Crepe Lady”’s delicious sweet crepes!  She also makes savory crepes, quiche, pastries and more… but more on that tomorrow.  Madeliene deserves her very own “Hidden Jems of the CyberCafe” post!!!

THE +

• If you like flaky pies, filled with meat and vegetables- you will love the Tuck Shop
• The pies sit in a glass case, so the potential for them to taste not so fresh is there.  Surprisingly, they were flaky on the outside and warm and delicious on the inside.  (Freshness not guaranteed as the day goes on…)
• Easy to take to go, and could be eaten with your hands (Not like a “Shepherd’s Pie” you would get at an Irish Bar that needs to be eaten with a fork and knife)

THE -

• If you don’t like meat and veg pies, this pie is probably not going to change your mind.
• They are cheap, but on the small size.  If you are a fat man (like me), a $5 pie is probably not going to fill you up.  I would recommend getting a pie, and then sharing a sweet crepe (from Madeliene “The Crepe Lady”) with a friend.  You’ll be full, and lunch will cost about $15-$17 for the two of you.  Totally reasonable for a freshly made crepe, and a delicious meat pie!
• It’s not health food (but not too greasy either…)

Tuck Shop (in the Cyber Cafe), 250 W. 49th St. (btw. B’way & 8th Ave.), 212-757-8481