Midtown Lunch

Eater is doing their annual “Year In Eater” series and for the “Best Dining Neighborhood” question both Josh “Mr Cutlets” Ozersky (from Citysearch) and Brooks of Sheffield (from the blog Lost City) chose Midtown as neighborhood of the year. It kind of makes me embarassed to have chosen the Upper West Side…

My personal goal of creating a buffet eating arsenal through spreading my personal DNA took a big leap forward today.  Meet Harry, the first member of this exclusive club, who entered the world this morning weighing in at 6 lbs 8 oz (or as I would say, $50.60 at the Cafe Duke by the lb. buffet.)  My celebratory lunch?  General Tso’s chicken and pork fried rice (of course) from the closest Chinese dive to the hospital (some random place on 10th Ave. btw. 51+52nd.)  That *adorable* photo is after the jump…

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Lunch’er Dave snapped this photo at the Old Bridge Deli “Rolly Wrap Station” earlier today:

You may want to call ahead before heading over to the Old Bridge Deli (212-986-0500; on Lex btw. 40+41st)… I don’t think there is much else at that place I can get behind.

Restaurant employees bringing lawsuits against their employers is becoming more and more common these days, and Del Frisco’s (on 49th btw. 6+7th) is the latest to get served.  According to a tipster, this lawsuit was filed yesterday in the Supreme Court of the State of New York:

Ligia Paredes on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated v. Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group LLC; Del Frisco’s of New York Inc.

Class action for discrimination and retaliation as well as violation of New York State labor laws for complaints about these violations. The defendants treated their Hispanic employees disparately and did not allow their Hispanic employees to take meal breaks as required by state law.

Seeing as Midtown Lunch is a big proponent of taking your full one hour lunch break, the issue raised in this lawsuit is near and dear to our heart. We also understand being mistreated by the Del Frisco’s management. Not only did they raise the price of the steak tips bar menu deal right after we posted about it, but you should have seen the dirty looks my co-workers and I got while trying to eat our steak tips at the Del Frisco’s bar in jeans and t-shirts.  The nerve!

UPDATE: Here is a full copy of the complaint [PDF]

The Kashmir Buffet and by the pound steam table on 8th Ave. btw. 39+40th has reopened, after being closed by the DOH last month.  (Unfortunately it didn’t come quickly enough for Eat Me Daily, who called them out for not being “Open 24 hrs.” as it claims on their sign.)  In other news, the food court with Church’s located a few blocks north (on 8th Ave. btw. 44+45th) has still not reopened.  I’m starting to think this one may be gone for good…

I don’t even know where to start with this one.  I post a story on Thursday, and yesterday CBS 2 “reports” the same exact story on their 6 p.m. newscast- pawning it off as their own discovery.  Kind of lame if you ask me.  I might believe that it was just a coincidence, if it weren’t for the reporter being a complete douche total idiot guy who doesn’t know what the world halal means.  I’m flattered you use Midtown Lunch to come up with stories for your newscast… but a little credit would have been nice.  Think I’m being a bit harsh?  Read what I wrote on Thursay.  Then watch the video of the newscast… and you be the judge.

Photo Courtesy of Lukey Dukey

Friday night, CBS 2 cameras were spotted filming the famous Halal Guys on the SW corner of 53rd and 6th, less than 24 hours after this story about the cart went up on Midtown Lunch. Today, Lunch’er Peggy got this report from the cart: “I was just at the halal guys cart and I mentioned the other weasel cart getting the same color sweaters. They said Channel 2 had just interviewed them about the story and it’s going to be on tonight at 6pm!”

Is it even possible this could be a coincidence? Let’s see if they give Midtown Lunch credit for the scoop!

It’s one thing to read about the new Department of Health subway ads online, it’s another thing to be face to face with one while riding the subway today.  A few thoughts I had while staring (sadly) at this sign:

1. If 2000 calories is all most adults should eat daily, I think I’m in big big trouble.
2. In response to the question at the bottom of the sign… I ask myself that every single day, and the answer is always yes.
3. This would seem to be an attack on Chipotle, but according to their posted calorie “ranges” a burrito is only 420-918 calories. I don’t know where the DOH gets their craaaaazy numbers from!
4. Maybe this isn’t Chipotle. Who could afford to get guacamole in their burrito *and* a side of guacamole! Wouldn’t that cost like $17.
5. I’m really glad they didn’t make one of these signs for eating at a Chinese buffet.
6. I don’t think I like these ads. (Ignorance is truly bliss.)