Midtown Lunch

Last time I had a sandwich, it was the horribly messy bulgogi beef sandwich from Sarah’s Kitchen. For $7.50 it left me hungry and unsatisfied. At that same time, a coworker of mine in his office just next to my desk was eating a sandwich as well. Unlike me, he had a much better experience. He had gotten an egg salad sandwich from Macchiato Espresso Bar on 44th btw Lex+3rd. The sandwich was so filling, he couldn’t finish it. Now if I were given a choice of sandwiches, I doubt the egg salad would be my first choice but my coworker raved about it. Well I needed something delicious after eating the bulgogi beef sandwich, so I decided to follow his lead and check out the egg salad sandwich from Macchiato.

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Oh, the chocolate chip cookie. One influential group of people have a taste-off declaring a winner, and the matter is settled? Not so fast! I’ve never bought into the supposed “best chocolate chip cookie” stand-bys in NYC. I’m not the biggest fan of Levain’s, City Bakery appeals to those who like their cookies crispy, and flatter, and Pret’s is pretty great thanks to a warming case keeping it gooey.  But if you’re going to say “best cookie in Midtown” you should probably try all the chocolate chip cookies in Midtown, right?  (Don’t mind if we do!)  After all there are a lot of chocolate chip cookies in Midtown alone, and the half of them aren’t even given a fair chance. Like the chocolate chip from Macchiato Espresso Bar (on 44th btw 3rd+Lex), which definitely deserves a mention!

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Speaking of amazing Italian coffee spots, Macchiato Espresso Bar (on 44th btw. Lex+3rd) will be opening a second location on 52nd btw. 5+6th. This is not just great news for coffee lovers, but they also serve a nice menu of made to order sandwiches and salads that are step up from your average Midtown fare. No word on when the new location will open.

Related:
Macchiato Espresso Bar Revisited… For the First Time

It’s been almost three years since Macchiato Espresso Bar opened on 44th btw. Lex+3rd, selling their line of Italian coffee, sandwiches, salads, and pastries.  When it first opened, I posted my first impression (meh) which drew the ire of the owner because I hadn’t actually eaten any of the food or tries the coffee.  At the time I just wasn’t interested in trying another turkey and swiss sandwich for $9.  So sue me.  Well, it’s taken me almost three years… but I’ve finally gotten enough positive emails to warrant actually trying Macchiato Espresso Bar.  Well not me, but our resident coffee and baked goods expert Kathy YL Chan (from A Passion For Food).  I thought this place would be right up her alley, and asked her to check it out and report back.  Here’s what she found…

Welcome to Macchiato Espresso Bar on 44th Street, the last thing you’d expect to discover in discover in midtown. Coming in from 3rd Avenue, the bright blue entrance looks like some sort of strange oasis. The Bar exudes a Euro-trash meets midtown business vibe. Music is energetic, and the counter service is knowledgeable, efficient. Prices are high, though quality justifies to a certain extent.

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