Midtown Lunch

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. Today it’s Jake, an actress (yes, you heard that correctly… Jake is a girl) and theater manager  by night/executive assistant by day, who is looking for the best french fries in Midtown.

Name: Jake (Yes it’s a guys name. No it’s not short for anything.)

Age: 31

Occupation: I’m an actor/theatre producer, but I make a living as executive assistant.

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 45th & 6th

Favorite Kind of Food: Anything spicy or with shellfish. And I always have to eat a hot lunch.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Yogurt. Even the smell of it is revolting to me.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Pam Real Thai (49th btw. 9+10th) for delivery, Pam Real Thai Encore (47th btw. 9+10th) for eat in. My friend Liz got me hooked on their chichen laarb and vegetarian pad thai. Pam’s versions are really light and delicious.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Kwik Meal Cart (SW Corner of 6th & 45th St.) I get veggies over rice, but their falafel and lamb are just as amazing. The chef gets profiled all the time — seriously, it’s way better than anything made in a “Kart” should be. I also get soup and a half sandwich at Pret a Manger once a week — their butternut squash soup is so good!

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Paris, near an old-school bistro with perfect open-faced Croque Monsieurs.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: Where can you get really good fries around here?

Well… that’s an easy one for me.  My favorite french fries in Midtown after the jump… Read more »

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. Today it’s Nantini, a “creative recruiter” who has extensive dreams about traveling around Italy sampling all the food. She also has put together the most comprehensive (and by that, I mean longest) profile of all time. You know what I say… the more the merrier.

Name: Nantini

Age: 34

Occupation: Creative Recruiter

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Organic, 37th & Broadway

Favorite Kind of Food: I enjoy the eating and the dining experience. It can be a solo act, or a joining of friends and can be relationship building. I always love good company, conversation and for lunch, to be able to get away from the office & from work as a break in the day. I love food that tantalizes my tastes buds, enlightens my senses, keeps you coming back for more, makes for good company and conversation, a sensual experience of decadence and culinary delights from all parts of the world. I always gravitate towards Thai, Vietnamese, French, Italian, and Japanese.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Pedestrian American food (iceberg lettuce, weird mayonnaise “salads” like egg salad, potato salad, jello salad, deviled eggs, tuna/chicken salad). I think you get idea, these concoctions scare me and I’m frightened of heavy mayo foods. This may sound anti Asian, but I am not fond of Korean food. I’ve tried a handful of Korean restaurants in Ktown with American and Korean friends.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown:

• Macaron Cafe (36th btw. Bway+7th.) My coworker introduced me to this new place just before it was written about on Midtown Lunch. I’m a Francophile and it’s a tiny cheerful joint misplaced, but very much appreciated in the Garment District! Being there makes me reminisce of Paris and this boulangerie in Le Marais. It is a charming gem, placed in a strange location, something you would expect to be in Nolita or Soho. I loved their Italiano (fresh crusty baguette and soft/chewy inside, served with carved Bresola, large fresh buffalo mozzarella, and grape cherry tomatoes, all drizzled with olive oil. My favorite dessert is the coconut only macaroon, and the other is hot chocolate with a dark chocolate French macron. My friends love their lattes and cappaccinos topped with a frothy heart stamp on their cozy beverages. The French guys handle all the hustle and bustle along with the line out the door very well, they are sweet with their French accents. They’ve added French onion soup, and Croque Monsieur on Tuesdays. I still need to try their chocolate croissants and crepes.
• Pho 32 (32nd btw. 5+6th). This is the only Vietnamese restaurant in Ktown. I always love a medium size bowl of Pho with rare beef slices, matchstick rice noodles, their broth has an amazing savory flavor and not greasy. In particular in the winter cold, I love to get the steaming bowl and top it with the fresh bean sprouts, basil, jalapeno slices, cilantro, scent of lime and finished with tons of Sracha and hoisin sauce. You can never go wrong with a healthy dish of Pho here at this place.
• Kati Roll (39th btw. 5+6th). Love their potato kati along with the chicken or lamb. All of the selections are so flavorful and savory with the marinades and seared in spices. I usually just eat one but I think it’s a tad expenive for two Katis.
• Olympic Pita (38th btw. 5+6th). I think this place is overpriced and expensive but most of the Kosher places in Midtown are. It is clean and the service is efficient, most of the time. The best thing to try is their laffa bread with hummus or babaganoush. I love their “salad bar” with fresh toppings and the best is the fried eggplant. The laffa sandwhiches are huge and a bit too much food for me. My coworkers love the Baby chicken and the Spicy sausage laffa sandwich. The Spicy Sausage is amazing, nice flavor and smoke without too much fire and no grease. Aura. It’s not in the specified Midtown area but they deliver and I love that! I am addicted to their Beef Pad woon sen, requested extra spicy. It’s a simple dish of wide sautéed noodles, with beef, egg and Chinese broccoli. My other favorite dish is their Duck wonton egg noodle soup at
• Aura Thai (9th Ave. btw. 35+36th). The broth is dark, rich with cardamom, cinnamon, a hint of sweetness and duck flavoring. Its not ideal for delivery, so it’s best enjoyed in the restaurant in the large bowl, heaping with egg noodles, topped with fried garlic shavings, cilantro, duck slices and a few fried wontons. Duck tends to be a little fatty, but full of goodness. I usually add crushed red pepper, vinegar, chili and a spritz of fish sauce. It’s rich but ooooh so delicious! Their prices are reasonable for being Thai as well, not too inflated. I never think you should have to over pay for Asian food but of course I do when I find certain places and dishes that are worth it!

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Pret a Manger, Metro (36th & Bway), Just Salad, Atrium (7th btw. 36+37th), Pergola (39th btw. 6+Bway), Guy & Gallard (34th btw. Park+Lex), Ginger’s (7th Ave. & 38th), Mandoo Bar (32nd btw. 5+6th), Pow Wok (7th btw. 37+38th), Pick a Pita (38th btw. 7+8th), Le Pain Quotidien (40th btw. 5+6th) & Zia Café.

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch (if any)? All the newly opened places…

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Since the sky is the limit and a girl can dream about the perfect job, I’d love to be traveling in Italy for lunch as my duty to find the best haunts. This would be so I can savor and taste each culinary delight found in all the regions of Italy. Rome: Have the best gelato near Trevi Fountain, try to find the best Spaghetti Carbonara, eat Spaghetti Amatriciana for lunch outdoors while you hear the sounds of the water fountains, the best roman pizza served by the kilo, a slice of Bresoal, arugula, olive. I would like try the best fish in Sardinia and sail around to each marina around the entire Island. I am imagining eating fine cuts of antipasti, cheeses, breads, bruscetta, squid & potato salad for long lazy lunches with a nice glass of Italian wine. Northern Italy for the rich pasta dishes, Tuscany for the vineyards, cheese and red wine. Sicily for the best pizza and spicy light pasta dishes and seafood in trattorias. Capri for the lemons, olive oil and fresh seafood and the fresh ocean breeze. I would jaunt down to Parma to find the best parmesan wheel and discover the best proscuitto. My favorite thing in the summer is to eat proscuitto y melone for snack on the beach or appetizer in a cafe with chairs looking on the passers by. It’s all about the eating walk to the next destination, enjoy light white wine during the day and taking in the senses. I’d watch the cute guys in suits or summer clothes hop on their vespas and scoot around the streets and piazzas.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: Where can you a get a good cocktail with friends in midtown without being cheesy, sporty, a dive, pub or too high brow? Is there such a thing in our location, Midtown?

Wow... that’s a pretty tall order. And considering that yesterday was Cinco de Mayo, this question may be one day too late. There is always the end of the week though! Anybody got a suggestion? The not wanting “cheesy” may automatically disqualify every bar in Midtown… but it’s worth a try. Got a suggestion for Nantini? Post it in the comments…

And as always, if you want to be the next Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, or you’d like to nominate somebody in your office, email me at zach@midtownlunch.com

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown.  Todays Lunch’er is Clayton, a Public Relations Specialist who was nominated by his co-worker Kelly:

Clayton is a serious lover of food, has a great sense of humor, and often entertains the office on culinary topics. I think he’d make a great profile for you. He’s half Texan, half New Yorker, so as you can imagine, he’s got a style all his own. -Kelly

Judging by the photo, I’d say you are definitely right Kelly. And judging by the profile, I’d say this guy knows his way around a few pubs…

Name: Clayton

Age: 25

Occupation: Public Relations Specialist

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 49th & Madison Ave.

Favorite Kind of Food: Dry Rub/Texas BBQ or Tex-Mex

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Korean Kimchee Stew… that was a hell of a 4 a.m. mistake

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Steak Burrito Alambre at Pampano Taqueria (3rd Ave. btw. 49+50th). Cheeseburger or a Grilled Cheese from Burger Heaven (been eating there since I was 3). The Chef’s Salad at Eamonn’s (45th btw. Mad+5th). Sashimi Platter from Sushiden (Two Locations in Midtown). And, St. Andrew’s for a few fingers of scotch with a plate of Haggis (44th btw. 6+7th).

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Pret A Manger, it’s literally in our building (sigh)

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch (if any)? Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? If not Manhattan (the restaurant capital of the world), I’d have to say Rome, Italy. I can’t even begin to think of the number of cafés and simply fun places to eat. Loads of palazzos make for plenty of space to dine outside if you want. I’d never get tired of exploring the mix of modern and traditional Venetian, Bolognese, Florentine, and Milanese cuisine pouring into the city. And let’s not forget that all of those lovely Roman women have to eat lunch too.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: Where’s the best Guacamole in Midtown?  Sure Dos Caminos is good… but there’s got to be a better hole-in-the-wall joint I where I can get my fix

With Cinco de Mayo less than a week away, you gotta get the guacamole question in, right?  This is a tough one.  It seems crazy, but I don’t usually order guac at any of those high end Mexican places, where they make the guac in front of you.  Something about spending $12 for chips and guacamole just bugs me. (Of course once the margaritas start flowing, I end up splurging, but who remembers what anything tastes like after that.)  If I’m going to splurge for Mexican food, I’d leave the Dos Caminos of the world behind, and go to some place really special, like Toloache (50th btw. Bway+8th) or Hell’s Kitchen (9th Ave. btw. 46+47th).  Toloache has got a crazy guac list, but I haven’t tried any of them. As for cheap places, I’ll turn this one over to the Midtown Lunch’ers.  Got a recommendation for Clayton?  Feel free to post it in the comments.

And as always, if you want to be the next Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, or you’d like to nominate somebody in your office, email me at zach@midtownlunch.com

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. Today’s Lunch’er is the contributor/moderator of one of my favorite blogs- http://umamimart.blogspot.com/ , and it just so happens she also works in Midtown East.  Actually that’s an understatement.  She works in Midtown Waaaaaay East, and since that is out of bounds for me, I figured I’d let her recommend a few places for those of you stuck in the eastern most part of our wasteland… 

Name: Kayoko

Age: 28

Occupation: Film marketer and programmer by day, food blogger by night (http://umamimart.blogspot.com). Professional eater all day, everyday

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Japan Society, Midtown way east (UN area)

Favorite Kind of Food: Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Vietnamese

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Brunch

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Hands down Shih Lee (on 45th btw. 1+2nd). It’s a little casual Taiwanese/Chinese place– you get in line and “pick & choose your meal” for $7. Two young brothers run it, and there are lots of regulars from the UN. It’s the best! Their pork and pickled cabbage noodle soup is the best I’ve had in midtown, and their sauteed green beans are addictive.  Also, there is a deli on the corner of 1st and 49th that makes the best BLT with avocado.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Oms/B for rice balls (45th btw. Lex+3rd) and Amish Market salad bar in a hurry (45th btw. 2+3rd), Ise for comfort food (49th btw. Lex+3rd), Pampano Taqueria for a long lunch (3rd Ave. btw. 49+50th). Aburiya Kinnosuke (45th btw. 2+3rd) or Sakagura on payday (43rd btw. 2+3rd).

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch (if any)? Bulgogi cart all the way!!! Better that I work too far to go often- I would seriously get lunch there everyday. Marinated beef in a hotdog bun? Only in New York- BRILLIANT!  (You should know that they’ve replaced the buns with croissants now -zach)

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Tokyo, no doubt. I could pay at a machine, get ramen ticket, slurp, chew and be out in 5 minutes. How is NY not in on this? If we’re talking NY, I wish I worked near Chinatown. Banh mi and Great NY Noodle Town everyday!

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: Where can I get a good burrito in Midtown East on the cheap (besides Chipotle)?

Uh… where can you get a good burrito anywhere in NYC?  Good luck with that…  anybody got a rec, feel free to post it in the comments.  And as always, if you want to be the next Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, or you’d like to nominate somebody in your office, email me at zach@midtownlunch.com

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. Today it’s a bonafied New York food celebrity- Josh Ozersky, editor of NY Magazine’s online food blog “Grub St.”   One of the members of the “Fat Pack” that the NY Times profiled in March, Josh is a personal hero– and his new book ” The Hamburger- A History” is a must read for any like-minded eaters.  As always, we’ll give away a few copies at the end of the profile…

Name: Josh Ozersky

Age: 40

Occupation: Food Editor / Online, New York Magazine

Favorite Kind of Food: Meat

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Vegetables

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: The lamb kebabs at Taam Tov (47th btw. 5+6th); the lamb burger at Anthos (52nd btw. 5+6th); the $28 lunch at Jean Georges (60th & Central Park West); lasagna at Insieme (7th Ave. at 51st); grilled cheese and bacon at Prime Burger (51st btw. Mad+5th); the giant hot dog at Brooklyn Diner (43rd btw. Bway+6th & 57th btw. Bway+7th); the hamburger at Ruby Tuesday’s (7th Ave. btw. 41+42nd).

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch (if any)? Most recently, the haggis cart

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Spiritual advisor to the Amish operators of the Dutch Eating Place in the Reading Terminal Marketin Philadelphia; junior pitmaster at Big Bob Gibson’s bbq in Decatur, AL; security guard at Dirty Martin’s Kum-Back burgers in Austin Texas; Grub Street blogger in Chinatown.

And of course, since we’re promoting the book- I’ve got to ask. What are your thoughts on the Midtown burger landscape? Too big, too misshappen, too rococo: Midtown is scarred by atomic mutants that resemble hamburgers only as much as a chrome-rimmed escalade does a 1972
coupe de ville. Which is to say, they are generally grotesque and vulgar things, even at their best.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: What hamburgers, of traditional size and shape, don’t I know about in Midtown?

Wow that is quite the indictment of the Midtown burger.  And here I was thinking we were doing alright… anyway, on to your question: Best hidden hamburger in Midtown?  We all must go on the assumption that you know about all the big ones (and even some of the lesser known ones, like the Blarney Stone on 3rd Ave & 44th– which is one of my favorites). But, I think I’ve got a truly hidden gem (plus your chance to win a copy of Josh’s book) after the jump… Read more »

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. Today’s Lunch’er is a Marketing Manager at the Wall St. Journal who can’t wait for it to get warmer so she can eat outside at Bryant Park.  I think she might also be friends with Superman…

Name: Shayna

Age: 27

Occupation: Marketing Manager & Blogger (http://www.missmenunyc.com/)

Where in Midtown do you Work?: The Wall Street Journal – 45th & 6th

Favorite Kind of Food: Tie between BBQ and Mexican. Growing up in Atlanta, I was surrounded by a lot of great BBQ places. Sure, people have their favorites in NYC, but it’s just not the same when the food isn’t served with a side of Southern charm by a waitress calling you “Sugar!”

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Indian

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: 1 – Pad See Ew at Pam Real Thai Encore at 47th btw. 9+10th. This is my favorite Pad See Ew in the city. The sauce is so flavorful, and the huge portion is only $6.50. Definitely worth the walk over to 9th Ave. 2 – Falafel over rice from the cart at 48th & Park.  The falafel is fresh and is served with rice, lettuce/tomato, and chickpeas that were prepared in a really tasty sauce. All of that plus a can of soda for only 5 bucks. 3 – Hunan chicken with brown rice at Ho Yip at 45th & 5th.  The dish has great flavor and doesn’t skimp on veggies.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Cranberry Deli on 45th btw. B’way+6th. I remember going there when I was visiting NYC with my family a long time ago. I was fascinated by the concept of so many different types of food all under one roof. Let me tell you, after being innundated by these delis for the last 5 years, the novelty quickly wore off. I will say that Cranberry may be one tiny notch up from the rest of the delis in the immediate area. You have to choose wisely if you do end up there, though. My go-to orders: The udon and soba soups, and sandwich #15 – grilled chicken with roasted red peppers, mozzarella, and pesto.

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch (if any)? House of Pita on 48th b/t 5th & 6th. It was a sad day when I went there to get lunch and saw it had closed. While it wasn’t the best falafel I’ve had, I really loved their hummus and salad selections…especially the Israeli and bean salads. I heard they opened a location on 8th Ave. Unfortunately for me, it’s a little bit more of a hike, so I won’t be able to make it there as often as the original location.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? I’d live in Paris so I could order a galette oeuf fromage from a crepe stand every day for lunch. It’s a buckwheat crepe filled with Emmenthal cheese and a fried egg. This thing puts even the best egg & cheese on a roll to shame.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: I work a few blocks from Bryant Park and love eating lunch there when the weather is nice. Aside from the obvious options (‘wichcraft, Chipotle, Pret a Manger, etc), does anyone have any suggestions for great (and maybe lesser known) places to pick up lunch before heading to the park?

I too can’t wait for Bryant Park to become a lunch’ing option again.  For a pretty good list of lunches in the immediate vicinity, check out my Fashion Week Guide to Midtown Lunch’ing around Bryant Park.  What’s your favorite Bryant Park lunch?  Feel free to post it as a comment below…

And as always, if you want to be the next Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, or you’d like to nominate somebody in your office, email me at zach@midtownlunch.com

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. Today’s Lunch’er is pretty special.  He doesn’t work in Midtown, he *lives* in Midtown.  And not in Hell’s Kitchen or Murray Hill, but smack dab in the middle of Midtown Lunch’ing central- on 46th St. btw 5+6th, above Akdeniz (!), the Turkish restaurant on Little Brazil.  Oh, and he’s also a Magician.  Meet Josh, possibly the most amazing Midtown Lunch’er of all time… 

 Name: Josh

Age: 28

Occupation: Entertainer (Magician/Comedian)/Foodie (www.nycfoodie.com/)

Where in Midtown do you Work?:I live on Little Brazil, 46th bet. 6th and 5th (right above Akdeniz).

Favorite Kind of Food: Sushi, Thai, Everything

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Love everything

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Buffet at Sun Yip/Ho Yip (45th btw. 5+6th), Anything from Cafe Zaiya (41st btw. Mad+5th), Beef with Peanut Sauce from Pongsri (48th btw. 7+8th), Duck Panang Curry from Pam Real Thai (49th btw. 9+10th), Sultan’s Delight from Akdeniz, Cheeseburger from Five Guys (55th btw. 5+6th), Sushi Special Entree from Hatsuhana (48th btw. Mad+5th), Lamb from the Kwik Meal Cart (45th & 6th), Chicken dishes from The Jamaican Dutchy Cart (51st & 7th).

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: My goto Lunch spot is Cafe Zaiya. For fast, authentic Japanese delights, this place is the best.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? I’d like to be the Full-Time Momofuku Ssam Magician based at 13th and 2nd in the East Village, but will travel to 1st between 10th and 11th to Noodle Bar and Ko. To be able to entertain at any Momofuku(I have actually been known to whip out card tricks while dining at Ssam and Noodle Bar in the middle of my meals) and be able to eat any Chang and Co. creation, would be ideal.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: 1. Who makes the best Italian Hoagie in Midtown? 2. Any single gal interested in dining with a magician/foodie?

Wow.  Two very difficult questions.  I don’t know what’s more ambitious, finding a great Italian sub through Midtown Lunch (I’ve tried many and still haven’t settled on the best), or finding a date (many have tried, has anybody succeeded?).  Commenters, I turn this one over to you…

And as always, if you want to be the next Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, or you’d like to nominate somebody in your office, email me at zach@midtownlunch.com

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Lunch’er for his or her “Best Lunch in Midtown” recommendations. As promised, since last week we beefed it up with the Shameless Carnivore, this week I’m profiling someone for the veggies. Meet Leah, a writer and blogger, who not only eats vegetarian, but works for an organization that is trying to help the Jewish community become more healthy and sustainable.

 Name: Leah

Age: 25

Occupation: I work for Hazon, a Jewish environmental organization and run The Jew & The Carrot, our blog on Jews, food, and contemporary life.

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Hazon’s offices are on 35th between 5th and 6th Avenue — within blocks of not one, but TWO H&M stores

Favorite Kind of Food: I hate to self-define as a food snob, but stinky, artisanal cheeses and hearty farmers’ market greens like kale and mustard greens generally top my list. I also love Dagoba chocolate and most homemade baked goods — brownies, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, my mom’s amazing chocolate cake…

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I stay away from anything that tastes like the sea, with the occasional exception of vegetarian sushi. And honestly, I only eat sushi so that I can snack on the pickled ginger.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Anything vegetarian or veggie friendly. Hazon often orders in for lunch meetings from Madras Mahal (on Lex btw. 27+28th) — a tasty kosher, Indian place. I really like their Pea Paratha (bread stuffed with seasoned green peas) and Palak Paneer (cheese cubes in a pure of spinach, cream, and herbs — mmmm….heart attack)

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Being the environmental organization that we are, my green-minded coworkers actually bring food from home on a fairly regular basis. But most days someone was too tired or rushed to get around to packing a lunch. So the three “goto” places are:

1. Hale & Hearty Soups— You can order your lunch online without talking to anyone! Extra points for convenience, even if your soup is lukewarm and your salad looks like it went through a washing machine.
2. Zenith (pan-Asian vegetarian on 48th & 8th) — Their food is generally decent, but some of their fake meat dishes scare me – like the “mango temptation” which features vegetarian chicken drowning in an electric-magenta sweet & sour sauce. How does it get so red?! I probably don’t want to know…
3. Circa (kosher, sandwiches/salads on 33rd btw. Bway+5th) — It’s easy, mostly healthy, and satisfies everyone’s dietary needs on staff, regardless of how strictly they do (or don’t) follow the kosher laws. Still, it’s a bit too “corporate lunch trough” for my taste.

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: Zen Burger — thanks!

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Hazon used to be located one block from the Chelsea Market. Amazing cupcakes, Thai food, an Italian wholesale shop, Amy’s Bread, and a fruit and veg market all in one location — I dream of it still.

Is there anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: If you know of any other kosher or vegetarian gems in the nabe, I’m all ears. Also — where (if anywhere) can I pick up a good bottle of wine to bring to friends’ apartments after work?

Considering you are on 35th btw. 5+6th, there is one Kosher place I know about that you should be eating at every single day!  Fresh baked Kosher bread goodness, after the jump… Read more »

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. Today I welcome Scott Gold, author of the new book “The Shameless Carnivore”, a must read for any meat lover looking to justify their animalistic cravings.  Sorry Vegetarians, next week’s profile will be for you…  (wait- what am I apologizing for!  Scott, I’m sorry.  I clearly need to spend more time studying your almighty teachings.) 

 Name: Scott Gold, The Shameless Carnivore

Age: 31

Occupation: Author, blogger, musician, lover of all things meaty and delicious.

Where in Midtown do you Work?: I live and work in Brooklyn, but for years I worked in Midtown, and I’m often up that way to meet with my publishing team at the Random House building on 55th and Broadway.

Favorite Kind of Food: Everything, but particularly (and obviously) most any dish involving meat. For the book, I attempted to eat 31 different animals in the span of a month, from beef, chicken, pork and turkey to yak, squirrel, llama and rattlesnake. You name it. As far as personal favorites, I have to say that I’m hopelessly addicted to my hometown cuisine (I’m from New Orleans), especially red beans and rice with sausage, jambalaya, and po-boys.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: In all seriousness: Tofu. Blech. I’ve heard that really well prepared, aged bean curd prepared in the authentic Japanese way is something wonderful to taste, but I’m not buying it. In my experience — and I’ve tried it numerous times — it just tastes like slimy lumps of bland nonsense to me.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: I’ve long been a huge fan of the streetcorner halal carts — I’ll just have them load that styrofoam dish up with whatever they’ve got, usually lamb, chicken or turkey (and on a good day a combination of these), rice, vegetables and salad, dress it with some hot sauce, bring it back to the office and go to town. Marvelous. When I was working near Columbus Circle, I fell in love with this tiny little deli on 57th St. between 7th and Broadway, called the Crystal Cafe. They make some really wonderful sandwiches there, which is what I truly adore about living in NYC: the delis. There are so many good ones that the ability to compete in the sandwich-to-order game has become something akin to nuclear weapons proliferation, only in this case the weapons are lovingly crafted sandwiches of fierce deliciousness. At Crystal Cafe, one of their specialties is rare (read: red and a little bloody..mmmmm…) roast beef, sliced thinly and piled high on a Portuguese roll with lettuce, tomato, and a squirt of horseradish sauce. And naturally I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Shake Shack (is that considered mid-town?). I don’t know whether or not they use actual magic to make those hamburgers, but there’s definitely something supernatural going on in that little kitchen. Maybe they’re hiding a genie down there? A leprechaun? Why else would I — or anyone else — spend an entire lunch break waiting in line for a burger? (Sorry Scott. Shake Shack isn’t in Midtown… although with their new advanced ordering system, I’m contemplating a subway lunch trip. -zach)

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: For some reason, when I was working in the 30’s near the Empire State Building, we’d always tend to wind up at Benny’s Burritos. I think it has something to do with the fact that their mascot is a sock monkey. Who knows? But when we were feeling like spending just a little more dough, we’d treat ourselves to a tongue or pastrami sandwich from Mendy’s. Which was great, not just for the great kosher fare, but also because we’d get to quote Kenny Banya from Seinfeld: “Mendy’s, Jerry! You owe me another dinner at Mendy’s!”

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Wow, that’s a tough question. Yikes. Lunch is my favorite meal of the day, so let me give this a little thought… Okay, now that I’ve treated this inquiry with all the seriousness it deserves, I have to say: downtown New Orleans. It’s like the “perfect storm” of eateries, everything from fine dining to open air markets, “Lucky Dog” carts and oyster shacks. But New York is an easy second.

Well, I don’t think I’m going to agree with you on the tofu.  Not only have I had delicious Vegetarian food, but more importantly than that, Vegetarians can be a very scary bunch, and I don’t want to anger them.  I do, however, have to back you up on the New Orleans thing. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world (heck, I was married there), and has some of the best food ever.

Now onto the meat! To enter to win the book, and read about Scott’s quest to eat 31 different animals in a month, just post your favorite Midtown meat dish (and location) in the comments… if you are a vegetarian and interested in reading the book, just post something clever. Winner will be drawn at random.

My favorite Midtown meat, after the jump… Read more »

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. Today it’s Rachel, an editor and writer who tries to be healthy, but obsesses about cupcakes (in blog form). 

 Name: Rachel

Age: 32

Occupation: Editor/Writer (and blogger, as one of the three ladies who run the site “Cupcakes Take the Cake“)

Where in Midtown do you Work?: I work above Madison Square Garden

Favorite Kind of Food: Mexican food, sushi (it’s a tie)

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Pasta

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: I feel like I’m being sacrilegious here, but I have to give a shoutout to the Macy’s salad bar downstairs from where I work. I try to eat pretty healthily (most of the time) and they have some great, fresh stuff in their salad bar. I also go to Charleston’s on 7th Avenue when I’m meeting anyone for lunch – I think it’s technically one block below the Midtown Lunch’ing boundaries, between 30th and 31st, but they have everything and with the hot meals you get a really big lunch.  There is a Korean place on 32nd between 6th and 7th, near 6th, on the south side of the street. I forget the name, but it’s open 24 hours and really yummy and pretty quick.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: The Pump — it’s on my way back to work from my gym, Crossfit NYC, and I love it because you can get anything on the menu and it’s cheap and healthy. And for any naysayers who think “no oil, no fried foods, no white flour, no sugar, etc.” means it tastes bland, that’s so not true. Plus they have fun names like “Big Arms” and “Lean and Mean.” And hot sauce. Mmm…hot sauce. Really, everything I’ve gotten there is delicious, and I go so often they know my name. I’m very much a creature of habit and really like having one place where I know what my favorites are and it’s cheap and easy and also healthy; I am not a health freak but after I work out it makes sense to me to eat something not drowned in oil. Plus I like vegetables but don’t always eat enough of them so most anything I get from the Pump has spinach or broccoli. (Four Locations in Midtown)

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: I’m still looking! I didn’t discover it via Midtown Lunch but I am a big fan of Kati Roll and plan to check out your Indian food suggestions.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Hmm…this is tough. I might have to say San Francisco for the abundance of good burritos. I could eat Mexican food every day (see above, creature of habit). If we’re sticking to New York, I’d have to say the Lower East Side for its proximity to sugar Sweet sunshine, my favorite cupcake bakery in New York, if not the world. Not that I’d eat just cupcakes for lunch, but I also happen to really like the kale at Earth Matters. Kale and cupcakes sounds healthy, right?

Since you co-author the site “Cupcake Takes the Cake”, I’ve got to ask the obligatory cupcake question, right?  Best in Midtown.  Go: Unfortunately, the pickings are few and far between around here — there’s Burgers and Cupcakes on 9th Ave. btw. 35+36th, which is great if you’re craving that combination of comfort food. There is also a place on 8th Avenue btw. 30+31st, Daiuto’s (http://www.newyorknewyorkcheesecake.com/home/) that makes massive, delicious chocolate cupcakes, the kind you need to split with someone but are so worth it.

Alright, before we talk about cupcakes we gotta mention your goto lunch… the infamous Pump.  My wife has been trying to convince me of Pump’s greatness for a long time.  I’m certainly not looking to beef up, and lord knows I don’t exercise- but the notion of eating french fries that are “good for you” is certainly intriguing.  Do they have those?  You know… the “air cooked” french fries that those places usually have?  If they do, I may check it out.

Sorry about that momentary lapse.  Back to the cupcakes!  I’m not a huge cupcake person, but I certainly don’t have anything against them.  Miniature cakes, topped with frosting.  How can that be bad?  What’s your favorite cupcake in Midtown?  Post it as a comment below…

And as always, if you want to be the next Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, or you’d like to nominate somebody in your office, email me at zach@midtownlunch.com