Midtown Lunch

Midtown East fans of delicious and authentic macarons rejoice! Lunch’er Epcol spotted a new Macaron Cafe (the French theme cafe that serves better macarons than Bouchon Bakery according to Zach!) popping up on 3rd btw 46th+47th St. Along with their macarons, they will also be serving their surprisingly delicious sandwiches like the Siciliano (bressaola, capers, mozzarella, and tomatoes drizzled with olive oil). Though what I’m really looking forward is their daily lunch sandwich specials, especially their Tuesday sandwich special, the Croque Monsieur.  Thanks to Luncher “Epcol” for the tip.

I don’t know why it took us so long to check out this deal!  Remember The Market in the Grand Hyatt (on 42nd btw. Park+Lex)?  Well, every Wednesday they have a buy one get one free deal on boxes of macarons from 8am to 5pm.  Blondie finally made it over there today and re-discovered they’re from the Macaron Cafe… a box of 2 is $4.95 (fairly standard for macarons) and comes in four different flavor combinations (she tried the pumpkin & chestnut and the raspberry & dark chocolate).  Four macarons for $1.25 each?  That’s a deal we can get behind. You have until 5pm, or else you’ll have to wait until next Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of HungryK9

I’ve been very curious about the French onion soup that recently returned to the menu at Macaron Cafe. I’ve been a huge fan of onion soup since I first had it on my honeymoon in Paris a couple years back. When done right, it’s an amazing bowl of oniony beef broth with chunks of bread inside and topped with a thick layer of gooey, chewy gruyere on top and a bit more tossed in the middle for good measure.

Luncher HungryK9 recently gave it a try and posted about it on her blog. She was sorely disappointed. Apparently, she searched and searched but barely found any cheese to speak of. Now, that’s just not right. Has anyone else tried the soup with more success? Or know of a great French Onion Soup in Midtown?  Let us know in the comments.

As winter approaches Schnitzel & Things isn’t the only one stepping up their savory hotness.  Hot daily specials have returned to Macaron Cafe (now with two locations in Midtown.)  There’s a different one every day, and each are 9.75.

Monday: Quiche Lorraine – Bacon & Gruyere, spanish onion served with mixed salad.
Tuesday: Croque-Monsieur – Ham & Gruyere, bechamel sauce on French Pullman bread served w a mixed salad.
Wednesday: Lasagne – Homemade vegetables lasagne served with mixed salad.
Thursday: Endive & Ham “de Paris”, bechamel sauce, gruyere cheese gratine.
Friday: Quiche au Saumon – smoked salmon & leek, gruyere cheese, scallion served with a mixed salad

Macaron Cafe

• 625 Madison Ave. (Enter on 59th btw. Park+Mad)
• 485 7th Ave. (Enter on 36th btw. B’way+7th)

The uptown Macaron Cafe (on 59th btw Park+Mad) finally opened last week and began serving lunch on Monday. I’ve been a fan of Macaron Cafe for a while, especially for their delicious, authentic macarons, but also their lunch fare, so when I heard they were opening up on 59th Street, I was pretty psyched to check it out. For those of you who’ve been to the Fashion District Macaron Cafe (on 36th btw 6th+7th) the space is incredibly similar-small and narrow- but luckily for us, the menu is exactly the same price-wise, and they’re being generous with cookie samples.

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From Lunch’er “hightemp”: “I’ve been stalking the Macaron Cafe on 59th St [btw. Mad+Park] and am happy to report for us Midtown Northeasters that it is now officially open. The shop is much, much more elegant than the 36th st location. Definitely has a Paris boutique feel to go along with the new branding. They are only doing coffee, tea and Macs right now but the full lunch menu will be available starting on Monday. (And so far they are quoting the same prices as 36th st….we’ll see about that part though.)” Nice.

Related:
Macaron Cafe Brings a Bit of Paris to Midtown
Macaron Cafe To Open Second Location

I was pumped to hear that Market, the new takeout place in the Grand Hyatt (on 42nd btw. Park+Lex), will be carrying out-of-bounds sweet stuff, like Macaron Cafe, near Grand Central. But then Lunch’er “hightemp” told us about a new Macaron Cafe that’s moving in on E 59th btw. Madison+Park! A staff member at the original location (on W 36th St btw 7th+Bway) said they hope to open the new location at the beginning of July. With all these recent dessert finds, I may never have to leave Midtown East.

Related:
Macaron Cafe Brings a Bit of Paris to Midtown

The guys who run the Biriyani/Chapati Roll cart on 46th & 6th have filled out the necessary paperwork for their second cart, and should be up and running the first or second week of July. The new cart (which is ready to go) will park at their current spot, and they will send this cart over to either Park Ave. & 46th or down to 43rd & 6th. They’re in the process of “negotiating” with the other vendors in the area now…

Macaron the awesome French bakery/sandwich/salad place on 36th btw. B’way+7th in the Garment District has new salads. Not exactly sure which salads are new, and which ones aren’t- but I’m sure if you are into that stuff, you won’t mind heading over there and seeing it for yourself. I was more interested in the Doughnut Plant doughnuts they are now serving… doughnut, macaron. Marcaron, donut. I’ll take both please.

The closed, but soon to re-open Indian buffet, and piece of chicken after the jump… Read more »

Every Tuesday is Croque Monsieur day at the Macaron Cafe (36th btw. B’way+7th), the tiny French macaron bakery/sandwich shop in the Garment District.  A classic French version of a hot ham and cheese sandwich, I’ve been hoping for a good Midtown croque since that croque monsieur truck teased us with its presence for one day last January.  If Macaron Cafe’s version is as good as the other sandwiches they serve, I feel pretty confident recommending it for lunch today…