Midtown Lunch

Crains is reporting that sales are down at a number of Midtown businesses that depend on Lehman Brothers employees. “Business at the Majestic Delicatessen was down 50% Monday, according to [the] owner of the breakfast and lunch spot located… at 7th Avenue and 50th Street.” Also mentioned in the article as being affected: Ben Benson’s (on 52nd & 7th) and countless tailors in the area, who have already seen drops in the number of suits being ordered. In contrast, according two sources, popular bars in the area (like TGI Fridays and Emmett O’Lunney’s) have been full. However, one Midtown Lunch doesn’t seem to be affected- this from a commenter yesterday: “Line out the door at Sapporo at 1:15 today — I kind of thought the Lehman people wouldn’t be around so maybe it would be less crowded… no such luck.”

Photo courtesy of Mushy’s Captures

A friend of mine spotted Barack Obama in the lobby of the Parker Meridien Hotel late last night.  I wonder if he ate at the Burger Joint?  Or maybe Topaz Thai next door? Either would have been better choices than what he had for lunch today visiting Bill Clinton’s office in Harlem: “a potpourri of Cosi sandwiches, flatbread pizza, salad and chips.” Terrible.

This has nothing to do with food, but everything to do with being a cheap bastard.  I love Target, so I was pretty excited to see that one of the four temporary “Bullseye Bodegas” they’re opening in NYC is in Midtown. I know it’s lame but there is something about living and working in Manhattan (and not owning a car) that makes me crave crap like strip malls and Target.  The pop up store is taking over the space that used to be inhabited by the Delta Pop Up Cafe on 57th & 6th Ave. The store will be open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Monday. If you’re into using your lunch break to do a little shopping, you can get more info here, here, and here.

Photos of the inside are after the jump…  Read more »

That headline is cruel to anybody who has ever been to the real Cafe du Monde in New Orleans. I’m sorry… but I couldn’t help it. Clearly New Orleans’ Cafe du Monde is not opening up on 37th btw. 5+6th in Midtown. There is no mention of beignets on the sign, and the logo is terrible. I kind of have to wonder- are these people idiots? I know technically it just means “Cafe of the World”, and there is no fear of anybody confusing a generic Midtown deli with one of the greatest coffee shops/fried-dough-covered-in-powdered-sugar makers in the world. But is this legal?

Beignet lovers… I’ll make it up to you after the jump Read more »

Last week the New York Times reported that Schnitzi (a Brooklyn schnitzel shop) was planning on opening a branch in the Diamond District in Midtown. After taking a look at the menu, I got pretty excited for the prospect of sesame coated chinese style schnitzel (Schnitzi does a lot of crazy versions of schnitzel.) Unfortunately I talked to the owner, and while he would love to open an outpost in Midtown, he doesn’t actually have a space or immediate plans to obtain one.  At the earliest, we may see a Schnitzi in 6 months. In the meatime you’ll have to make due with Kosher Deluxe (45th btw. 5+6th), or for the german version- Hallo Berlin Express (9th Ave. btw. 49+50th).

Surprisingly I received this email response to my post on Friday about Fox News correspondent Alan Colmes’ and his choice of go-to lunch in Midtown:

From: Alan Colmes
To: zach@midtownlunch.com

Date: Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 2:18 AM
Subject: From Colmes

Zach,

I already read Midtown lunch….but thanks for the mention. You have to admit, though, Evergreen [Diner] is quite convenient.

Alan

 
I admit nothing Alan. I learned that from the current President.

Today, “Fair and Balanced” political talk show host Alan Colmes tells Grub Street where he ate all week.  I never thought about it, but with the Fox News building on 6th Ave. btw. 47+48th it’s not a surprise he’s a Midtown Lunch’er.  You’ll recognize a few spots from his list of places, like Goodburger, which is just fine, and Bella Napoli (on 49th btw. 6+7th), which is a great spot for pizza and subs. But his go to lunch is the Evergreen Diner! (On 47th btw. 6+7th)  Come on Alan.  You can do better than that.  (I know we have lunchers in that building.  Will somebody please send him a link to Midtown Lunch!)

The date is set, and tickets are on sale, for the biggest food event of the year… the 2008 Vendy Awards.  It’s a street cart battle of epic proportions, and it all goes down October 18th at Tobacco Warehouse in Dumbo.  Tickets are more expensive this year ($80 in advance/$100 at the door) but all the money goes to The Street Vendor Project, a great organization that fights for the legal rights of vendors all over the city.  There are also donor packages available, with added perks, if your company would like to get involved.

Tickets are on sale now, and nominations are officially open- so head over to their website and represent for Midtown!  Last year Kwik Meal won the fan’s choice award, but this year I want Midtown to take home the whole thing! (There are fancy shirts for sale as well… very exciting.) The nominations close on September 7th, so don’t wait!

Related:
Street Meat Palooza: A 13 Cart Chicken/Lamb Over Rice Showdown
Dosa Man Wins, But Kwik Meal is the People’s Choice at the 2007 Vendy Awards

I know some of you work on the outskirts of Midtown Lunch boundaries, and others of you don’t understand why I have boundaries at all (sorry, every man must know his limits), so this one is for you people.

Piece of Chicken, the little take out place that opened in the kitchen of Jezebel (now 5 Napkin Burger) on 45th btw. 8+9th, has re-opened after being closed by the Department of Health for an expired permit.  This is good news for anybody who likes $1 pieces of fried chicken, collard greens, and black eyed peas, mixed with $2.50 scoops of mac and cheese.  They’ve also started serving plate lunches, further solidifying its reputation as one of the few places to get decent soul food in Midtown (even if it is out of bounds.)

8 cent mac and cheese, and more crappy BBQ, after the jump…  Read more »