Midtown Lunch

We’ve always known that the TV show 30 Rock was actually filmed in Queens, and not right in the center of our lunch wasteland. But that hasn’t stopped us from imagining that the food loving Liz Lemon was eating at the same Midtown lunch places as us all these years. In Season 1 that dream seemed possible when Kenneth’s church was filmed as a secret doorway in the back of Margon, but mostly the references to food and lunch were relatively vague. Until last night that is! We here at Midtown Lunch consider it a pretty huge victory that a major segment of last night’s series finale of 30 Rock was devoted to making sure that Lutz didn’t get to order the crew’s final lunch from Blimpie.  Momofuku and Per Se were yelled out as suggestions before Liz settled on Nobu 57… but the running gag was that Blimpie is horrible.  Maybe they only felt that way because they never go to try the Indian Blimpie.

Anyway, thank you 30 Rock.  Not only for 7 great seasons, but for putting the important job of picking lunch for your office up on the pedestal where it belongs. If you could pick one Midtown Lunch to go out on, what would it be?

Yesterday kicked off Restaurant Days at Rock Center, an outside picnic of sorts highlighting merchants at Rockefeller Center. As a long time Rock Center worker–we’re talking over 10 years now–I’m up on my lunch options in the Rock Center concourse and surrounding environs. Are Rock Center days my favorite food event of the year? No. I’ll be the first to admit that there are definitely skippable offerings, but among those ordinary (or shall we say “everyday values”) there are gems worth seeking out. I scoped out the scene yesterday and here are my picks. Read more »

If you missed out on the Rock Center restaurant days in May, no worries, you have another chance tomorrow. Tuesday, July 10 through Thursday, July 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Rock Center restaurants will set up tables with special lunch offerings on Rockefeller Plaza, 49th and 50th Streets between 5th and 6th Avenues.  Participating restaurants include Bouchon Bakery, Tri Tip Grill, Bill’s Bar & Burger, Ben & Jerry’s, Del Frisco’s Grille, Morrell Wine Bar & Café, Harry’s Italian Pizza Parlor, Godiva Chocolatier, The Sea Grill, Blue Bottle Coffee, Rock Center Café, Brasserie Ruhlmann and Magnolia Bakery. As in years past, ‘wichcraft, is offering up a special signature sandwich for the event, this year it’s a shrimp salad on a buttered potato roll.

Yesterday, Brownie and I happened upon this free hot chocolate tasting in the Rock Center concourse, in front of the ice skating rink. All the Rock Center chocolatiers are represented: Jacques Torres, Bouchon, La Maison du Chocolat, and Godiva. Each is handing out little samples of their hot chocolate, gratis of course.

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When I first heard about Schweddy Balls, Ben & Jerry’s latest Limited Edition flavor named for the classic Alec Baldwin SNL sketch, I had to go check the Rock Center shop to see if they had scoops. And come on, Schweddy Balls are tailor made for amusing interactions.

Me: “hi, I’d like a cup of Schweddy Balls.”
Woman in business suit next to me: “Getting some Schweddy Balls today?”
Me: “Yup.”
Woman in business suit next to me: “Me, too. Those are some good Schweddy Balls.”

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When I passed by Harry’s Italian in the concourse at 30 Rock on Monday, I took a few other photos of the new shop. Get a closer look, including a menu shot, after the jump.

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Taste of Summer has returned for the next couple of days, giving us another chance to sample some of the best Rock Center has to offer. Last year, Chris stopped by and got an early taste of Bill’s Bar & Burgers. This year, you can get a taste of the new Rock Center concourse pizza place Harry’s, which is scheduled to open in the beginning of August. All of the Rock Center lunch spots are there: ‘wichcraft, Cucina & Co, AJ Maxwell’s, ML favorite Tri Tip, and even Manchu Wok with a $4.99 special. I would have loved if they were offering a nice little buffet, but logistics probably got in the way.

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Every day, the Chef’s Table at Cucina & Co. in the Rock Center Concourse offers a different lunch for $9.50 from 11:30 to 12:30. The lunches change each week (Brownie enjoyed their pork tenderloin medallions with pasta), but Fridays are always the same. Chef Juan anchors each week with his cheeseburger sliders, and they’re popular enough to have gotten the attention of Concourse neighbor Tri Tip. We’ve never had the sliders though, so I decided to head out for an early lunch last Friday (the Chef’s Table is known to run out of food). See what I found after the jump.
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Yesterday the Rock Center concourse branch of Jacques Torres opened. When I heard that JT himself would be on hand for the official opening, and that there was free hot chocolate involved I had to go check it out. I dropped by just before noon and the store wasn’t crowded. Chef Torres himself was greeting people at the door. The shop itself is brightly lit and all done up for Valentine’s Day. There are 3 small tables for eating/drinking in and four additional stools at the bar. Read more »

As I type this the finishing touches are being put on Rock Center’s brand new Jacques Torres!!! I made a quick stop by at lunch today and the place is looking great. Peeking in from the window I could see an espresso bar and a few tables for eating in.  And I’m pretty sure I spied Mr. Chocolate himself, doing some hands on lifting and set up. They are officially opening tomorrow and JT will be there from 10 until noon. So excited to see the Godiva space taken over by superior chocolate.  Dessert win for Rock Center!