Midtown Lunch

Paris Baguette, a huge worldwide Korean bakery chain, will be opening their first Manhattan branch on 32nd btw. B’way+5th. They do serve sandwiches, but the big deal appears to be about the breads and pastries. The first branches to open in the states were in California (of course), where it got raves from yelpers, chowhounders and bloggers alike.

I had never heard of it until seeing the sign, but it turns out that there is one branch in Queens and two in New Jersey. Anyone been to any of the local branches? What are we in for?

A few weeks ago we reported that construction on the Grace Building had completely displaced the vendors parked on that corner. Want to see more photos of the construction? Eater posted some yesterday– although looking at it makes us even more bummed for the Trini Paki Boys Cart, who were forced to move after years of being parking on the south side of 43rd. They’re on the North side of 43rd now (btw 5+6th) so make sure you get out and support!

As we told you yesterday, Lost City recently posted their last vanishing New York post… but what we didn’t mention was that before they signed off they left us with a list of classic New York joints worth patronizing before it’s too late. While there aren’t too many true Midtown Lunches on the list, Oyster Bar, Sarge’s Deli, and the recently written up Flatiron Lunch, Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop, get recommended  as do some fave ML happy hour haunts like Rudy’s and Holland Bar. Now last summer Rudy’s was on the brink of disappearing as well, so it all goes to show you, don’t take the places you love for granted.

I’ve watched over the last couple of weeks as signs of life have glimmered in the long vacant space on 35th btw. 5+6th  that used to house Rainbow Deli and Chinese food. What’s coming has been a mystery, that is until yesterday when this sign went up.  Grill sounds kind of fancy, right?  Grill means over $10, right?  I hope not.

Looking at the construction inside, it could go either way, but doesn’t give too many more clues. When I peeked in, I asked one of the workers about an opening day. He wouldn’t commit to anything, but thought it might be in about two weeks.

If you’re into trying to divine that sort of thing from a construction site, we’ve got an inside the plywood shot after the jump.

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Is that Geraldo?!

Today’s New York Post has a great article asking “celebrities” (some more than others) who work in Midtown where their go-to lunch spots are. There are some boringly obvious answers (Donald Trump eats at the Trump Grill, Dave Letterman eats at the Hello Deli, and the owner of the 2nd Ave Deli eats at… the 2nd Ave Deli) but there’s also some kind of great ones. For example, Brian Williams eats at Sacco- a pizza place on 9th Ave. that Slice, coincidentally enough, just posted about. And Geraldo Rivera eats at Midtown Lunch fave Margon (on 46th btw. 6+7th). “They make this incredible sandwich with shredded pork, lettuce, pickles — it literally has all the major food groups covered.” Hard to argue with that…

Walking by the old Wilshire State Bank (on 32nd btw. 5+B’way) the other day, I found myself surrounded by a cloud of plaster and debris. The doors were open to the site of the upcoming Koreatown food court, so I peeked in for a moment to get a photo of the space. It looks like there’s a lot more work to be done demolishing the interior, but you can sort of see how the space is going to come together on the first floor, at least. It looks like most of vendors will be on the left, underneath the mezzanine. The stairs in the back look a little rickety, so there’s a chance they might do some crazy Kyochon-style stairway to get to the upper floors. I don’t know the first thing about construction or design, so I can’t really speculate beyond that.

The big news, though, is the rumors about who might be moving in.

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Remember how we told you that Metro Marche in Port Authority was going to become a Heartland Brewery? Well, it’s finally open! I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t there a Heartland Brewery in Times Square… just two blocks away?” Yes, there is. But that one is for people who like drinking middling beer and eating overpriced pub food with tourists. This location is for those who like suburbanites, homeless people, and exhaust fumes! Get an inside look at the new space, and their menu here.

Food Court Alert! With all the restaurants on 32nd Street, it’s practically already an outdoor food court, but now there’s going to be a real one, with at least 10 different vendors inside. This could be the biggest food court news since they closed the one in the Manhattan Mall (or A&S Plaza as some of us still think of it). With all the lights and signs on 32nd Street it’s pretty easy to miss the new sign that popped up in the former home of the Wilshire State Bank, right across from Woorijip. (I would have missed it too, if the words “Food Court” hadn’t drawn me in!) I made a quick call yesterday to the realtor to get some details. (What can I say, we love food courts.)

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The Jewish holiday of Passover starts tonight at sundown, so all of the Kosher spots in Midtown will be closed from 3/29 until at least 4/5. It’s not too late for a last minute Kosher Midtown Lunch, though… Pick a Pita (on 8th btw. 39+40th) is open today. But Kosher Deluxe, Olympic Pita, and all the Diamond District spots are already closed. Strangely enough Maoz (on 40th & 7th) will stay open through Passover (I thought they were certified Kosher?) On the plus side there are some spots still open with passover lunch’ing options… Sarge’s (on 3rd btw. 36+37th) has matzoh ball soup and matzoh brie, and so does the Cafe Edison (along with a special “passover” menu starting tonight.)  But the 2nd Ave. Deli will be closed.  Have any other good tips for those Midtown Lunch’ers celebrating Passover?  Feel free to put them in the comments…

Related:
Your Last Midtown Lunch Before Passover (aka, the best bread in Midtown)