Midtown Lunch

Are you all Profiled out yet?  Last week, I was out of town, so I turned the site over to a different Midtown Lunch’er every single day.  I considered not running one today until I got this photo.  Meet Alexis, a baker and an Event Producer for Culinary Competitions, who is looking for Filipino Sweets (I suppose for when she is done with that Turkey leg.)  Wow.

Name: Alexis

Age: 24

Occupation: Currently I’m an event producer for culinary competitions, but I also am the Co-owner of the bakery Flavor and Taste, http://www.flavorandtaste.com

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 34th & 6th Ave.

Favorite Kind of Food: Ethiopian, Lobster, Lamb Carts, Fried Food

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Salad… unless its lobster/duck salad

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Masala Dosa at Minar on 31st and 5th. The downside is that they raised the prices $1 since I started going there and the servers are a little hostile. Also, they sometimes forget to use the salt. Upside is that it’s a dosa! Who could resist those carbs…  (31st is a little out of the Midtown Lunch’ing range, so I’m not really familiar with that Minar, but their Menupages menu is the same as the Minar on 46th St.so I’m guessing it’s the same place, right?  -zach)

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Pomodoro on 38th and 9th . They have great prosciutto sandwiches with excellent bread. Good baguettes are hard to come by!

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: Café Zaiya. I think I have been eating way too many rice balls, but it is a nice walk from here. Also the Briyani Cart on 46th and 6th for their chapati rolls — those are great and uber cheap.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? East 6th street and 2nd Avenue. Madras Café has great dosas, Spice Cove and the other gazillion Indian places with cheap prix fixe lunches, Ethiopian, and a short walk to St. Marks with the plethora of mouth watering Japanese places (Go, Taisho, Rai Rai Ken).

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? For those of you who may know what an ensaymada is (soft lovely bread covered with butter and sugar), would you know where I can find them in the city? I used to get my fix over at Krystal’s (14th St. & 1st Ave.)  but haven’t found a replacement since they closed down!

Ah yes.  The ensaymada.  A buttery Filipino sweet bread topped with sugar and an extra dab of creamed butter and sometimes cheese.  How could that be bad?  A photo, and where to get them in Midtown, after the jump…  Read more »

All week long I’ll be in England, so every day I’m turning over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er.  Today, it’s Mike.  Mike is in Finance.  Mike loves vegetarian food, but his profile picture has him towering over a nice looking whole lobster.  Let the weirdness begin… 

Name: Mike

Age: 25

Occupation: Finance

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 45th & Park at Grand Central

Favorite Kind of Food: Indian (naan, rice, curry, meat, sauce, stop me please), and vegetarian/vegan (equal opportunity eater)

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Turkey or Ham sandwiches with American cheese with embarassing iceberg and a green tomato on a stale white bread hero (especially if it’s not a crusty hero). Food that makes the bread/pita drip with oil and fall apart. Can we stoop any lower?.

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Joy Curry and Tandoor (46th, 3rd+Lex). One Meat One Vegetable (Chicken Korma and Spinach for me) combo for 7.95 (with naan and rice) and Ras Malai for $2.50 on special days (special for me, but they have it every day). When I get stuffed from the Indian and need redemption, I head to Amish Market on 45th east of Third for a salad from the salad bar ($7).

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: My coworkers obsess over Dishes on 45th (i.e. $10+). Myself: Bistro on Lex (btw. 45th+46th). Dependable deal for a choice of two of the following (small salad, soup, half sandwich, or half burrito) and a soda (ask for bagel chips for free at the counter)($7). The cream of tomato with chicken and orzo is killer, chicken pot pie soup rocks, and they will stuff your burrito (whole wheat, even) to your gut’s content with guacamole, rice, chicken or steak, pico de gallo, vegetables, etc.

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: The $1.25-after-2pm pizza slice at Naples 45 on 45th btw. Mad+Lex. (is it more now?).  (I believe it is $1.50 now.  -zach)

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? East Village/Alphabet City, since I live there and have a good grasp of the little places to eat like a king for 5 bucks (or a little more).  Nicki’s Vietnamese Sandwich (2nd St & Ave A) for a $4.50 chicken or pork bun with carrot, mayo, fresh crusty just baked bread, cilantro, and spicy peppers.  Café Rakka (Ave B btw. 3rd+4th) for their falafel sandwiches, vegetable platters, and some baklava for dessert for under 10 bucks.  Gracefully (Ave. A btw. 2+3rd), for their fresh deli with fresh baked breads to choose from, should you want.  Get the Hummy (hummus, avocado, sprouts, lettuce, tomato, and cucumber on seven grain).  That, or Cape Cod / Hamptons / Montauk.  Per my picture, and per one of the previous ML’ers featuring a lobster roll in front of her face, I likewise would love to savor fresh cod in a Fish ‘n’ Chips or a meaty lobster roll at a roadside shack.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?  I am clearly a conflicted luncher, going from powerful Indian to vegan fare, and wish to expand either side of my palate. Anybody have any midtown east gems around Grand Central?  What about a great street cart in the area?

I have yet to explore the various street meat options on the East Side of Midtown.  Rafiqi (w/ multiple carts in Midtown) is obviously on my list.  Anybody like to add to that?  Post it as a comment below. 

And as always, if you want to be the next Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, email me at zach@midtownlunch.com  (Back on Monday!  Have a nice weekend…)

I am away in England for the week, so every day I’m turning over the site to a random Midtown Lunch’er.  Today, I’m pleased to welcome Adam Roberts aka The Amateur Gourmet, and author of the new book “Amateur Gourmet: How to Shop, Chop, and Table Hop like a Pro (Almost)”.  He doesn’t actually work in Midtown, but he eats here occasionally, and while he might not give you any good ideas for lunch’ing in Midtown, he is giving away copies of his book, which is a really fun read for anyone who likes eating…

Name: Adam

Age: 28

Occupation: Writer

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Midtown’s very own Park Slope. Ok, I don’t work in Midtown. But I’ve had lunch there before!

Favorite Kind of Food: I really like pasta and I really like dessert. I guess, then, you could say I love carbs. I’m the anti-Atkins.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I like everything. But if I had to pick something, I’d say really stinky cheese… though even that is beginning to grow on me. Literally!! I need a doctor!

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: The best lunch I ever had in Midtown was at Le Bernardin—a $48 prix fix lunch of food so extraordinary, it made lunch look like dinner and dinner look like breakfast. Huh? But I know Zach doesn’t like these snobby high-end places, so for his sake I will mention Sapporo (49th btw. 6+7th) for excellent Soba noodles.  (I don’t like Cafe Metro & Chipotle.  Le Bernardin, I like.  Especially when someone else is paying.  -zach)

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: I don’t have any co-workers. I work alone. And my go-to place is in Park Slope; why am I on your blog again?? (Um… I thought it was obvious? To give away free stuff to my readers… -zach)

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: Hmmmm… the dark empty cavern in my soul?.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Purely for lunch purposes, I’d love to work in Paris. Baguettes with French butter; stews; macaroons, pastries…was this question limited to New York? (Definitely not. Although, lately a lot of Lunch’ers have been giving a lot of New York centric answers. Do I need to re-word this one? -zach)

And now… the reason Adam is here.  Free copies of the “Amateur Gourmet: How to Shop, Chop and Table Hop Like a Pro”, a really fun and down to earth book for anyone who loves food, but has felt like an idiot at a restaurant, or trying to cook at home.  Want one?  Post your funniest story about an eating out mishap, or the time you screwed up a home cooked meal in the comments section.  Obviously these stories will be from a long time, since I know all of you guys are food pros at this point.  Best 5 take home a copy of the book.

And as always, if you want to be the next Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, email me at zach@midtownlunch.com

I’m in England all week long, so every day I’m turning over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er.  Today, it’s Mark- a Digital Media salesperson who digs the raw fish, but doesn’t eat Lamb.  Looking at his photo, I never would have guessed…

Name: Mark

Age: 49

Occupation: Digital Media Sales

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 37th and 7th

Favorite Kind of Food: Sushi/Sashimi

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Lamb, don’t do it, no sir.

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Homefront Deli – 41st btw. Park+5th.  The Grilled Pastrami & Swiss is to die for! (and WOULD probably kill you if you ate it too often!)  Burgers are great, and their cold sandwich packs some real heft without costing $10. Or try the “Roman” sandwich, which is basically an Italian Hero. Get it with the hot cherry peppers. You can get out with that sammy and a drink for like $6 or so. I guarantee you’ll be full. Also awesome is Turkey, swiss, bacon, L&T with Russian dressing, either on a hero or on an “everthing” bagel. The Greek salad with chicken is popular too – lots of chicken.  Damn, now I’m really hungry! It gets crowded, it’s a little hole in the wall. There are two lines, one for hot & one for cold, so make sure you’re on the right one.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Delmonico’s and/or Old Bridge Deli – 2 practically identical “we serve everything” delis across the street from each other on 41st & Lex. The only saving grace about Delmonico’s is that they make a brown rice Spicy Tuna roll and they don’t use mayo in it, just tuna & Sriracha sauce. I know, “healthy” sorry! :)

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: 99 cent pizza – whats not to like? Especially on days when the wallet is feeling a bit “light”

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Soho / Village – Chinatown, little Italy, Nobu (as a guest!)

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? Any good recommendations for Korean take out in K-Town area?

My favorite Korean Take Out place, after the jump… Read more »

I’m in England, so every day this week I’m turning over the site to one of you.  Today’s Midtown Lunch’er is Shauna, a fashion research editor who would rather be lunch’ing Queens…

Name: Sha-Sha-Sha-Shauna

Age: 26

Occupation: Research Editor, Fashion Credits Extraordinaire

Where in Midtown do you Work?: On 50th Street wedged between 6th and 7th Aves, the heart of corporate America…

Favorite Kind of Food: Chesapeake Bay seafood, Lebanese delicacies, and big ass Southern breakfasts

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Capers, pint nuts, and fennel *shudder*

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: It’s on Ninth Avenue (btw. 52+53rd), but Wondee Siam rocks the Thai fried rice with chicken, basil and chili dish (their peanut sauce is scrumptious, so I drizzle it on top).  I’m also a sucker for the Jamaican Dutchy cart (51st & 7th)– the jerk chicken mini plate slathered in (recently toned down) crimson jerk sauce + crispy beef patty + the wonder that is Ting soda, and mama’s a happy camper.  Also, Mondello’s (37th Street just east of 5th Ave) has a banging $6 chicken parm and Margon‘s aptly potent cafe con leche (two heaping spoonfuls of sugar) always hits the spot.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: I drop bank at Cafe Duke (51st btw. 6+7th) in the a.m. for their fresh buffet of blueberries/raspberries/blackberries by the pound, but always find myself lured back on indecisive afternoons for $6.50 spicy ramen or udon with deep-fried tofu, pork and veggies. Weak, I know.

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: That Bi Bim Bap counter at Ambrosia Deli, where occasionally I can scam an extra container of kimchi.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Sunnyside, Queens — seriously, just hear me out. If only my job could be located mere blocks from the best Irish deli in the area (Butcher’s Block, 41st Street just off Queens Blvd), where fresh sausage rolls permeate the air and a bounty of imported crisps, meats, and chocolates line the perimeter; the Colombian juice lady on Greenpoint (Pecas Y Mas,Greenpoint and 43rd Street) who churns out the creamyicyfruitygoodness that is the Super Cholado as well as a rockin Guanabanasmoothie; Alpha Donut (Queens Blvd and 45th Street) for the hugest, most tantalizing French cruller I’ve ever laid lip on; and El Shater Arabic deli (43rd Street and 43rd Ave, just a block off of the Blvd),where crispy schwarma, fresh tabouleh, and honey-drizzled sweets are made with love and sold for cheap.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? I’d kill for a luscious non-Jamba juice bar in Midtown.

Here’s a shocker. I actually sort of like Jamba Juice. It’s something that happened when I moved to L.A. (before coming here to NYC). If the fat Chinese food buffet eating Boston me, had met the poor, drinking smoothies at Jamba Juice in L.A. me, I’m pretty sure the Boston me would have kicked the L.A. me’s ass all over the place. That being said, I’m not exactly a smoothie connoisseur. Anybody got any recs for Shauna? One of those fruit trucks must be good. Post them as comments below…

And as always, if you want to be the next Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, email me at zach@midtownlunch.com

I am away in England this week, so I’m turning over the site each day to a different Midtown Lunch’er.  Today, it’s Steve, who has too long an occupation to type out twice, and doesn’t like condiments.

Name: Steve

Age: 26

Occupation: Purveyor of Intellectual Property and Strategic Advisement (Also known as “market research”)

Where in Midtown do you Work?:37th and 7th

Favorite Kind of Food: If it has any of the following, it would qualify —Butter, Onions, bacon, meat, garlic.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Free Side dishes or condiments of most types. Don’t dare think of putting that day old ‘slaw and pickle in front of me. I don’t want ketchup. I don’t want mustard or mayo. And you better watch it with that salad dressing too while you’re at it.  Pizza toppings from a questionable shaker near the garbage can though are ok, go figure.

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Right now, I would say Go! Go! Curry (38th St btw. 7+8th Ave) ranks up there. This is probably only a phase though, so I will just stick with Bravo Pizza on 7th and 38th. There is just something about the pizza there I like and I can’t put my finger on it. It does vary in quality though, so be sure to go after the lunch rush as they seem to not put as much cheese on it and the overall quality is much better. Also Big Bowl Noodles on 6th and 36th. Not bad for your standard Chinese fare. Does tend to get pretty packed and you may need to help the wait staff pass people’s dishes over to them.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: It’s really sad to probably say this, but the Pax through our lobby is not all too bad. You can’t get any closer then that for a quick salad or soup. The staff who work there I would say are the redeeming quality as they do remember you and give the “in-building” discount without asking for it. Everything also seems pretty fresh too.

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: 38th St. Restaurant & Bakery (Cheap chinese food) which just so happens to be next to Go! Go! Curry now. It is a very tough decision as to which door to walk through. No, I am not thinking of going into Spandex World!

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? As many of my fellow mid town lunch’ers have said before —my path to great lunch is due south towards Chinatown and TriBeCa. Where else can you find such a selection of food choices outside of Queens (or so I am told).

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? I would really like to know your opinions on where the best street vendor hot pretzel can be found. They vary so much and the only one I know of that really treats this as a craft is down by 23rd st and 8th ave. Too far for that sort of nosh for me for “lunch”.

Pretzels huh?  That’s something we’ve never discussed.  I’ve got nothing. Anybody have a pretzel recommendation? Post it as a comment below. And if you want to be the next Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, email me at midtownlunch@hotmail.com

Every Tuesday I turn over Midtown Lunch to a random worker, for their favorite places to eat lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Zack (not me, as you can tell by the spelling), a 27 year old software developer who has discovered the holy grail, just outside the boudaries of Midtown Lunch’ing.  A Chinese/Cuban combo restaurant on 60th btw. Lex & Park…

Name: Zack

Age: 27

Occupation: Software Developer

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 59th & Lexington, the Siberia of Midtown

Favorite Kind of Food: Cheeseburgers and beer. Particularly those from Paul’s on 2nd Ave (in the East Village) or Burger Joint in Le Parker Meridien.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Sun-dried tomatoes. There is no limit to my loathing for their nastiness.

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Gotta go with the “C4” Shrimp and lobster sauce lunch special at Sabroso Cuban+Chinese on 60th btw. Lex and Park. For $6.95 you get Chinese and Cuban cuisine coming out of the same kitchen. Some of the best egg rolls I’ve ever had. All lunch combos automatically come with a distinctly Cuban version of fried rice. Nice little pork chunks in there. If you’re not feeling the Chinese, go for the half of a fried chicken or the pork cracklin. Most lunch specials under 10 bucks.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Go Noodle! on 1st ave btw. 58th and 59th. The soup is awesome. Especially when it’s cold out. I get excited just thinking about this place. Fresh noodles and veggies make the ramen and other noodle soups the best on the menu. They are slow as balls to deliver, but well worth it. I can’t wait for winter so I can get me some of this good good hot soup.

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: Rafiqi’s cart. Booya. Lamb & Chicken combo please.  (I actually still haven’t written about Rafiqi’s.  I know… it’s shameful.  But I know other people have mentioned it on the site, so I’m happy to take credit for it!  -zach)

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? I’d have to go with Tribeca for many reasons.

1) Cookies from Columbine.
2) Shrimp baguette and coffee from Franklin Station Cafe
3) All drumstick hot chicken box from Bon Bon Chicken
4) Fried Dumpling on Mosco St. (6/$1)
5) Peking Duck house on Mott
6) Coconut rice and Pad See Mao at Pongsri on Bayard.
7) Bacon & Beer Mussels or the burger @ Le Petite Abeille
8) Beef-short-rib-and-kimchi Sandwich served on mantou @ Province – Church St.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? I’d like to know what your theories are on why there are so many crappy-ass delis in midtown. Do people really like paying $8 for a turkey sandwich on stale flimsy bread? The once exception to this is Madeline’s Cafe on 56th between Lex & 3rd. Good sandwiches here. Fresh ingredients, good bread, place is clean, good baked goods too.

Um… isn’t it pretty obvious?  Because people are lazy!  Well, that- and because the majority of the people who work in Midtown suck.  If you haven’t noticed, just look around your office (if you are reading this, you know you’re not one of them.)  But either way you look at it, it’s our fault.  We are the reason these lame places are still open.  Stop eating at crappy Midtown delis, and they will start closing (or at least add better and more interesting options.)  The revolution starts here!

Actually… wait.  I take that back.  We need crappy Midtown delis to distract the others from the good places.  Imagine what the crowds would be like at our favorite lunch spots if there weren’t places like Chipotle to keep the herds occupied.  Yes.  We need these places.  Keep doing what you are doing Cafe Metro!  You are my heroes after all…    

Next week, I will be in the UK- so I’m handing over the site to you!  Every day next week, a different Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er will take over Midtown Lunch (and be rewarded with a prize for their efforts).  Want that person to be you? Email me at zach@midtownlunch.com

Every Tuesday I turn over Midtown Lunch to a random worker, for their favorite places to eat lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Margot, a Media Planner who, judging by the way she’s shoving that lobster roll into her mouth, and her use of the term “wicked”, must originally be from New England.  She also never met a sandwich she didn’t like- which makes her ok in my book.

Name: Margot

Age: 24

Occupation: Media Planner (Advertising)

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 49th St & 3rd Ave

Favorite Kind of Food: Sandwiches – because they’re incredibly diverse. They can be found at every meal of the day (even dessert – we’re talking ice cream squeezed between two cookies).  Every country (sometimes state or even city) has it’s own version, which means I have the world to choose from. Frozen, cold, warm or piping hot – I love ’em all. I just got back from Philly (CHEESESTEAK!!!) and did the taste test between Pat’s vs. Geno’s.  I’m sorry but Pat’s wins hands down. Pat’s cheesesteaks even LOOK more appetizing. Now my friend Z tells me I have to hit up Tony Luke’s next time I’m in Phi-town because they are 100x better than Pat’s. Best NYC deli sandwich resides in Queens @ “The Sandwich King of Astoria” (Sal, Kris & Charlie’s Deli). “The Bomb” – $6 and big enough to feed 3 people – although they do not warn you of this. And I digress…

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Cilantro – *gags* Really it’s a genetic mutation of mine – it tastes like dish water, and if you have ever had your mouth washed out with a bar of soap for back talking your mother when you were little – well you can appreciate why I hate this foul herb. It’s really a shame because I love ethnic cuisine. Indian, Thai and Mexican are heavy on the cilantro. I am one of those people who hates to make a fuss and believe that you should eat what you’re given – so I’ll never ask for the cilantro to be taken out – I’ll just try to pick around it or order dishes I know won’t have it (ie: Chicken Tandoori, Pad Thai, Chicken Basil).

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: It’s a toss up – if I’m really hungry and have the time (and energy) to walk down – I’ll head to Milant (39th btw. 3+Lex) for the # 8 #10 or #12 depending on what my stomach is demanding.  If I’m just on the fence about lunch and/or in a rush I’ll head over to Mee Noodle Shop (2nd Ave & 49th) and order up some Cantonese wonton soup and an egg roll.  Although their soup is awesome, their noodles are what they’re known for (my fav being the thin Cantonese noodles) – not to mention it is incredibly wallet friendly.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Devon & Blakley (43rd btw. Lex+3rd)  or Cafe Basil (47th & 3rd)- we have health conscience, typical sandwich/salad eating, too lazy to walk further than a block, stick to the same routine every day, willing to shell out lots of cash for mediocre food type of folks around this office.

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: Margon – Cuban Sandwich if I may :) It makes me drool just thinking about it.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why?  Hmmm… it wouldn’t be about location, but about a flexible job that would allow me to travel all over the country and/or world so I could experience a different cuisine for lunch every week. Okay – but seriously – IF I had to choose one place – I would go with Portland, ME. I would never get sick of seafood for lunch (mmmm lobster).  Just not possible – and on top of that it’s wicked gorgeous up there.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? Best place for a pulled pork sandwich in the city – who has it? I hear mixed reviews about BBQ joints and everyone has their own two cents to throw in.

The only pulled pork sandwich worth eating in Midtown- after the jump… Read more »

Every Tuesday I turn over Midtown Lunch to a random worker, for their favorite places to eat lunch in Midtown.  After the commenting spree that Maressa endured last week, I’m surprised I could find anyone to be profiled.  Last week a request was made for a fat guy… so here’s Matt.  He doesn’t look fat, but he puts down the equivalent of *two* lunches a day. 

Name: Matt

Age: 22

Occupation: Licensing & Footage Researcher

Where in Midtown do you Work?: HBO Sports on 42nd & 6th.

Favorite Kind of Food: Italian – favorite dish: Frutti di Mare. I will eat anything that has the ability to survive in water, and to me there is nothing like a bowl of fresh homemade pasta with quality parmesan reggiano. Throw some mussels, littleneck clams, sauteed calamari, lump crab meat and shrimp over linguine with a nice fra diavolo sauce and I’m in heaven.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I will eat anything you put in front of me. Live to eat, not eat to live mentality. The only thing that bothers me is small portions. I have a very fast metabolism and am very active, so I eat a lot – usually ordering 2 dishes and averaging $12-15 a day for lunch.

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: 45th street between 5th and 6th ave. This street pretty much hits all of my needs, and does so in an enjoyable, affordable way. Kwik Meal Cart by the corner of 5th ave – much less crowded than the 6th Ave cart – for chicken over rice and a lamb pita ($11.50). Park Italian for chicken parm hero and a side of baked ziti ($7.00, great deal). Note: Little Italy Pizza does have a great variety of slices, but their CP hero is nowhere near as good as Park’s. Manhattan Cafe is probably my favorite food-by-the-pound stop for 2 reasons – better quality, and the food that is supposed to be hot, IS hot, what a concept (I believe $8/lb). Bread & Olive isn’t amazing, but since this is Lebanese food, at least it’s got a little twist to it. Chicken kebabs and Zaatar ($11.00). Ambrosia for Bi Bim Bap, tucked away in the back of this deli and as Zach has reported, is probably the best version you can get of this dish without going to Koreatown (too far for me). $6.95 for Bi Bim Bap plus I’ll get a little something from the food-by-the-pound trays for a solid $10.00 meal.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: We have a cafe for employees in our building, and the majority of people go down there every day for the convenience and fairly cheap price. I’m usually on my own, but I don’t mind because eating should be an adventure.

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: I know it’s been said before on other profiles, but I have to go with Margon. I was born and raised in Miami and know good Cuban food, but having this place a few blocks away has definitely made the transition to New York easier this past year. Their staples are great, but I have to highly recommend their guanabana batido (a smoothie made with guanabana nectar and milk). If you’ve never had guanabana before, you’re in for a treat.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? Key Largo/Key West. Forget the sun and relaxed lifestyle, I’d work here solely for the abundance of fresh seafood coming in off the boats every morning. I could eat cracked conch and a blackened dolphin sandwich every day for the rest of my life.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? I don’t think it’s been brought up before, but are there any options in midtown for authentic Peruvian cuisine? Even menupages doesn’t have anything. Authentic ceviche, anticuchos, Huancayo potatoes, Peruvian empanadas, chili chicken, and all the goodness that makes Peruvian food so perfect. Thanks!

Actually, in April I asked the same question at the end of another profile… but didn’t find one.  I think we’re out of luck.  But, if you want to post a good place for quantity (i.e. 2 lunch Midtown lunch’ing spots where you can stuff your face for under $12) feel free…

And, as always, if you have news, suggestions, or you want to be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er- email me at zach@midtownlunch.com

Every Tuesday I turn over Midtown Lunch to a random worker, for their favorite places to eat lunch in Midtown. Today, it’s Maressa- a Magazine Editor who hates fried food (?!?!).  Must… allow… differing… opinions… and yet… it’s… very… difficult… to… post this… profile. 

Name: Maressa

Age: 23

Occupation: Magazine Editor

Where in Midtown do you Work?: The epicenter of this culinary wasteland, Times Square (But no, I don’t work in the same building as the reputed “Devil” who wears Prada.)

Favorite Kind of Food: Generally healthy twists on chicken, seafood, veggies, huge fan of the Tex-Mex (and by default, Chipotle) as well as Greek, Middle Eastern, Indian, & sushi. Fresh fillings wrapped up with some form of carb, be it a pita, tortilla, lavash, etc… I’m usually interested. Or, chocolate, but that’s a whole different story. ;)

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Anything fried, unnecessarily greasy, dark or red meat.

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Sorry to say, Zach, but given my lack of nearby choices, I gotta go with Chipotle. I get the burrito bol (glorified salad, yeah yeah) with black beans, no rice, fajita veggies, chicken, all the salsas (sans the hottest one), lots of lettuce and sour cream OR guac on the side. But I gotta shout out to La Paloma on 45th btwn 8+9th. Muy bueno Mexican delivery!

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Can’t speak for my co-workers; they’re all about Europa and I’m havin’ none-a-dat $11 salad BS. But my personal choice for default deli is Star Lite on 44th btwn 7th & 8th, where I usually get a chicken caesar wrap or salad. (They have a good low-fat caesar dressing, but make sure you say “low-fat”, cuz if you say “light”, then they just put a smaller amount of the regular kind. Drrgh.)

Place you discovered thanks to Midtown Lunch: Kwik Meal & Pick-a-Pita! Yum and yummier! Unfortch, Chef Rahman makes fun of me when I want pita instead of rice on my chicken platter, and sometimes the street-meat-ness of it all skeeves me. And Pick-a-Pita is sorta a schlep, and on the pricier side. I know—I’m such a kvetch.

If you could work anywhere (just because of the lunch) where would it be and why? West Village/SoHo. Because then a) I would be near my apartment and save $ by eating my non-existant groceries, b) I could get amazing cart Mex from Calexico, or c) there are just a helluva lot better places that deliver downtown. Like you didn’t already know that. (Ed Note:  Still no word on when the Midtown Calexico cart will be arriving)

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers? Where can I get decent on-the-cheap(er) Greek, namely a chicken gyro and tzatziki sauce?

Well… finally some common ground.  I don’t know about Chicken Gyros… but a real honest to goodness Greek gyro is something I have yet to find in Midtown- and I’m not talking about the gyro they serve on the halal carts.  The meat may look the same on that spit, but once you chop it up into bits, and saute it on a griddle, it becomes something else.  Real greek gyro is left alone, rotated and cooked on the actual spit; cut off in slices *only* when it has become dark on the outside.  And a real gyro has to be topped with tzatziki (greek yogurt sauce).

Forget about shawarma, and halal… I’m talking real honest to goodness Greek gyro.  Anybody had one?  I’ve heard rumors of two carts (one on 44th & 6th Ave., and one on 7th Ave. btw. 33+34th), but I haven’t been to either.  If you have got a suggestion, post it as a comment below…

And, as always, if you have news, suggestions, or you want to be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er- email me at zach@midtownlunch.com