Midtown Lunch

Every Tuesday I turn the site over to a Midtown Lunch’er for their recommendations of places to eat Lunch in Midtown. Today it’s Eli, a stooge who loves Italian, but hates Italian American…

Name: Eli

Age: 27

Occupation: Bond Company Stooge

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 51st & 6th

Favorite Kind of Food: Sandwiches, raw fish, raw beef, dumplings, french fries, hot sauce, cheese, anything Italian.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Italian-American, Indian, and anything that was prepared by someone who is over-ambitious and under-conscientious.

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Dan Dan Noodle at Hing Won on 48th btwn 5+6th; Hakata Ramen at Menchanko-Tei on 55th St; Chicken and spicy rice from King Tut cart on 6th and 50th; Burger and a bag of fries at the Burger Joint.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Used to be Citarella To Go. What a reliable place that was. Now I guess it’s Chipotle (guilty pleasure). Here’s the thing about Chipotle: if you choose to spend your $9.83 for lunch there, are you sending a message to the McDonalds Corporation that there’s a strong consumer base that demands naturally raised, antibiotic-free foods?  Or are you just perpetuating the McDonald’s status quo of destroying rain forests, farming and slaughtering animals inhumanely, and making poor people fat?

Place you discovered thanks to MidtownLunch: The roast pork at Cafe Cello. I think I have an actual piece of crispy pork skin lodged in my aorta, but it was worth it.

Dream job location for lunch purposes only, and why?: Parma, Italy. The fish market in Tokyo. Anywhere lunch is called “siesta”, includes a nap, and everyone goes home for three hours.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: Does anyone know of a Mongolian grill around here?  There used to be a place that was similar to Cafe Duke, in that it had everything, hot and cold salad bars, etc…I think it was even on the same block that Duke is now on…. they had a serve-yourself bar, with thinly sliced raw pork, beef, chicken, lamb, or shrimp, lots of vegetables, different kinds of noodles & rice.  Then you went over and chose all these different sauces, chopped garlic, ginger, different kinds of pepper sauces, fermented black beans, etc etc.  You gave them to the dude at the grill and he had these two gigantic chopstick-like things that he used to stir-fry your food. That place closed down a few years ago, and I haven’t found anything similar since. Any ideas?

Where to start.  I’m pretty sure the only message you send when eating at Chipotle is that you are willing to settle for crappy burritos!  I do however agree with you about the Burger Joint.  In fact, I ate there yesterday.  Burger Joint porn, my Chipotle Challenge, and your chance to recommend a Mongolian BBQ place to Eli, after the jump… Read more »

Every Tuesday I turn the site over to a Midtown Lunch’er for their recommendations of places to eat Lunch in Midtown. Today it’s Nancy, a self described hater of “healthy” foods who not surprisingly, loves the street meat…

Name: Nancy

Age: 31

Occupation: Print Designer

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 52nd btw. Madison & 5th

Favorite Kind of Food: It’s a tie between anything Asian and pizza. Asian definitely includes ghetto wok Chinese like Yips. I’m Chinese and I think I’m not supposed to admit that, but I’m brave so it’s okay.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Anything “fresh”, “light”, or “healthy”, euphemistic terms used only to describe those under-dressed salads usually consumed on Mondays that trick my mind into thinking my body didn’t gorge on delicious fried or cheese-covered nastiness over the weekend.

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: I guess my guilty pleasure is Rafiqi’s, the halal lunch cart. My co-workers and I go to the one on Park and 52nd. It’s a gut bomb but totally worth it. Oh, but if one of us has a hangover, it’s Prime Burger all the way- with fries well done.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Digby’s (@ 52nd b/w 5+6th). After about an hour of tossing around possible lunch options, we typically resign ourselves to Digby’s. We end up walking out of there several times a week with our $9 lunches feeling like total Midtown chumps.

Place you discovered thanks to MidtownLunch: FIKA Swedish Bar. (Is it still around? Haven’t been in awhile). It’s pricey but good, especially if you’re looking to mix up your lunch routine a bit. I would recommend their coffee to those who spend time and good money in a Starbucks line. It is damn good.  I’m all about their Swedish meatball sandwich with beet salad and dill dressing. (Ed. Note:  It is definitely still there, Swedish Meatball sandwich and all.  I’ve actually been meaning to get back there too, and try their smoked salmon wrap.  Looks delicious!)

Dream job location for lunch purposes only, and why?: Chinatown/Soho, preferably directly across the street from Vietnam Banh Mi So #1 on Broome. Their Vietnamese sandwiches are an ingenious combination of textures and flavors. I could seriously eat a couple for each meal of the day, every day. I usually break into one of them while I’m walking through Soho and people have stopped me mid-bite to ask me where to get one. That’s how seductive they look. I’ve tried a lot of banh mi sandwiches around town and I love them all, but I stick with Bahn Mi So #1. Oh, banh mi.  I love you.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: Does anyone know where to find decent falafel anywhere in Midtown? My co-workers were recently disappointed by Bread & Olive. The sad looks on their faces as they chewed their first bites was heartbreaking.

Yeah, I’ve heard a lot of Bread & Olive complaints lately… but I haven’t given up on it yet- although the falafel is my least favorite thing they serve.  There are so many great falafel places in Midtown, you shouldn’t have any trouble.  I’ll revisit my favorites, plus how you can be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, after the jump… Read more »

Every Tuesday I turn the site over to a Midtown Lunch’er for their recommendations of places to eat Lunch in Midtown. If you want to work at the best Museum in New York City, today’s Lunch’er is a person you’ll want to kiss up to.  She also may have found a place that serves my favorite dish from Thailand…

Name: Tara

Age: 23

Occupation: HR Administrator

Where in Midtown do you Work?: MoMa, 53rd btw. 5+6th

Favorite Kind of Food: Thai… The Peanut Curry @ Zabb City on 13th between 2nd and 3rd – specifically.  (Ed Question:  Peanut Curry?  Is that Kuaw Soi?  Because if it is, I need to go to that place immediately!!!!)

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Mediterranean (I used to work at an Israeli restaurant – overdosed on schnitzel and the likes)

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: KiKu (sushi place) – Kani salad

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: KiKu, 50 W 55th St. (btw. 5+6th)Place you discovered on MidtownLunch.com: Café Duke on 51st – spicy ramen in the back – good stuff.

Dream job location for lunch purposes only, and why?: I’m an East Village girl, for lunch purposes.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: I’m a fan of low-key, low priced places that don’t make me feel like I’m eating hair and cockroaches. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for, and yet, I get burned over and over. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Uh… move out of Midtown.  Unfortunately mice and roaches are a part of life while Midtown Lunch’ing.  I’d also recommend never going to this website.  Since the KFC/Taco Bell scandal they’ve been cracking down on inspections, and some of my favorites have not been spared.  A few big names from the mice list, and how you can be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, after the jump… Read more »

Every Tuesday I turn the site over to a Midtown Lunch’er for their recommendations of places to eat Lunch in Midtown. Today it’s my kindred spirit, and possibly the greatest profile of all time…  I don’t know if it’s the part about loving Corn Dogs, his quest to uncover information about a mysterious falafel cart, or the Chocolate Covered French Crueller he’s eyeing lovingly (my favorite kind of donut!)-  all I know is, this guy is awesome!  Meet Teen Wolf, a Comedy Central Graphic Designer with liquid lunch dreams…

Name: Teen Wolf

Age: 24

Occupation: Graphic Designer

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Comedy Central, 57th & Broadway

Favorite Kind of Food: Middle Eastern, Indian, Cheese, Avocado, Corn Dogs, Dark Chocolate, Astronaut Ice Cream.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Seafood, health food, Pax

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: I like to mix it up. Kati Roll, Daisy May BBQ cart, Taam Tov, Hallo Berlin cart, Empanada Mama (9th Ave. & 51st), Kashkaval (9th Ave. btw. 55th & 56th). They’re all excellent.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Crystal Cafe (57th btw. 7th+Bway). It’s right outside and has pretty decent, over-priced sandwiches. We try to be more adventurous though. Burrito Box and Wondee Siam II (Thai) (both on 9th Ave.) are favorites. For the past 2 months we’ve been trying to get to the bottom of the mysterious falafel cart (on Broadway and 61st) that always “runs out of falafel” by noon because “people eat falafel for breakfast”(???) We’re confused by his motive for lying about falafel availability. A true mystery.  

Place you discovered on MidtownLunch.com: Pretty much all of my favorite places… Kati Roll, Hallo Berlin , Burger Joint.

Dream job location for lunch purposes only, and why?: I’d love to work on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights/Cobble Hill. There are so many amazing Middle Eastern restaurants. They also have Vietnamese sandwiches, Soul Food, British Food (fish & chips is about the only seafood I like). Ideally, this “Dream Job” would also allow me to drink during lunch.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: I guess if anyone has any suggestions for good falafel in the 50’s, or on the west side of Midtown, let me know. And, in general, I’d like to put in a request for more coverage of the upper-west side of Midtown. You Rockefeller Center and Grand Central folk don’t know how good you’ve got it!

I’ve done some good coverage of the Upper West Side of Midtown!  And, I’ve got some more on the way… including free Cuban food tomorrow!.  Info about that, and my recommendation for best Falafel in Teen Wolf’s area after the jump… Read more »

Every Tuesday I turn the site over to a Midtown Lunch’er for their recommendations of places to eat Lunch in Midtown. Today it’s Lacey, an Attorney on a desperate search for an all you can eat Gummy Candy buffet…

Name: Lacey

Age: 30

Occupation: Attorney

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 55th & Madison

Favorite Kind of Food: Hmmm… I tend to go for Asian type things first- Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean… but I also do enjoy good Mexican and Italian as well, anything else tasty. I also can’t get enough gummy candy. Sometimes I wish there was a gummy candy buffet that I could frequent.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Wet bread- so no French onion soup or bread pudding for me. Ick. Also, can’t really get behind super extra greasy food, like the kind you have to blot before eating.  (No bread pudding, or super greasy food!  And you call that living??? -zach)

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Men Kui Tei– Shoyu Ramen. Yum. Why don’t they deliver? 

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: I’m embarassed to admit it’s Chop’t. I know it’s expensive and kinda crappy… but it’s like 2 steps from my office and sometimes it’s really cold outside and you’re hungry and it’s right there.

Place you discovered on MidtownLunch.com: Oms/b… Okay, so I haven’t actually been yet, but it’s first on my list once the weather gets a little nicer. Rice balls… mmmmmm.

Dream job location for lunch purposes only, and why?: Downtown near Chinatown so I could eat all the delicious and super cheap Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) I wanted.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: 1. Where can I get a good cup of coffee in this neighborhood? My west coast coffee genes are getting really grumpy at the crappy coffee I keep drinking. 2. Any good Vietnamese food suggestions?

I totally agree on the Banh Mi.  My favorite of these Vietnamese sandwiches, PLUS how you can be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, after the jump… Read more »

Every Tuesday I turn the site over to a Midtown Lunch’er for their recommendations of places to eat Lunch in Midtown. Today it’s Susan, a “Vegetarian” who loves lobster rolls…

Name: Susan

Age: 39

Occupation: News Librarian

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 47th & 6th

Favorite Kind of Food: Pasta. Bread. Rice. Potatoes. (Are you detecting a theme here?) If my carbs come in the form of Indian or Mexican food, all the better.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Brussels sprouts. John Waters didn’t call them little balls of hell for nothing.

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: At Minar, I get the vegetarian combo with saag paneer, aloo ghobi and navrattan curry, with rice AND naan. (A tip: sharing three separate dishes with two of your co-workers works out to be cheaper than getting the combo.) The masala dosa is great, too. I’m also a fan of the tofu pad kee mao at Pongsri. For low-rent Mexican, I like the burritos at Bagelfeller (go figure). My default: black bean burrito in a whole wheat tortilla with guac.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Cafe Metro. It’s totally overpriced but it’s fast. I generally get the split pea soup and a caesar side salad, and feel like a chump for paying $7.50.

Place you discovered on MidtownLunch.com: Taki Sushi (try the tofu teriyaki!) and the fabulous Oms/b. Maybe we could get them to open a 47th Street branch.

Dream job location for lunch purposes only, and why?: As you can probably tell from my responses, I’m pretty much a vegetarian. But I’ve been known to, um, cheat, and my favorite guilty pleasure is the lobster roll at Pearl Oyster Bar on Cornelia Street. So I’d like to work near — or maybe even AT — Pearl Oyster Bar.

Anything you’d like to ask the Midtown Lunch readers?: Aside from the pricey Wu Liang Ye, is there any really GOOD Chinese food in the West 40s? Also, what’s your favorite place for rice and beans? I’ve tried Margon, Café Cello, Havana Central and Rice & Beans, but none have been magically delicious. And finally — are there any food carts that a non-carnivore could love? Thanks.

My suggestions for Susan (including the best brussel sprouts in NYC), PLUS how you can be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, after the jump… Read more »

Every Tuesday I turn the site over to a Midtown Lunch’er for their recommendations of places to eat Lunch in Midtown.  In honor of Fat Tuesday, todays Profiled Lunch’er is Andre, a Southern Louisiana boy who loves pork fat…

Name: Andre

Age: 40

Occupation: Director of Programming & Production for AOL (and the blogger behind http://www.forknewyork.com/)

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 75 Rockefeller Plaza

Favorite Kind of Food: Creole (being from Southern Louisiana!) and all varieties of pork fat.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Vegan. (Please.)

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Halal Cart on 53rd and 6th, Chicken and Rice with pita and extra hot sauce. Addictive.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: City 75 Deli at 75 Rock…. may have the best Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches in Midtown. Breakfast bagels cooked to order can be terrific too.

Place you discovered on MidtownLunch.com: Hallo Berlin Cart! Need that sausage. 

Dream job location for lunch purposes only, and why?: I use to work in New Orleans for a stint, across the street from Mother’s (Black Ham PoBoys with debris) as well as Cuveé…. but I miss my Los Angeles days when the taco truck could roll up and knock your socks off with carnitas that would melt in your mouth.  A close second would be Chicago, where we’d trek to Mr. Beef on Orleans for the best BBQ Beef sandwich in the Midwest.

City 75 is the Best Philly Cheese Steak in Midtown???  I definitely have to try that one out for myself.  As for celebrating Fat Tuesday, it looks like the newly opened Popeye’s is the place to be!

How you can be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er, after the jump… Read more »

So it’s Tuesday… which means I turn over the site to a Midtown Lunch’er for their recommendations of places to eat in Midtown.  Yesterday I wrote about the Gourmet Deli Milant.  Today’s Profiled Lunch’er is the guy who recommended it to me.  Here’s Corey, an Accountant who is looking to start a Midtown Lunch “Happy Hour”…

Name: Corey

Age: 33

Occupation: Accountant

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 44th & 5th Ave.

Favorite Kind of Food: I’ll eat almost anything, especially the spicier cuisines. My favorites right now are Thai, Indian, Korean, Cuban, Japanese, Mexican and, of course, Italian. Who doesn’t love a good red sauce?

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Not a big fan of Middle Eastern food because I find most dishes to be on the dry side. Although I do occasionally hit up lunch carts. I have them drench the goods in hot and white sauce. And I do like late night shawarma. Did I mention that I’ll eat most anything?

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: I have many but one of my all-time favorites is Milant, a small sandwich shop on 39th btw. Lex & 3rd. It’s a bit of a hike from where I work now but is totally worth it on a nice day.  Order the #13. It rocks. Every sandwich comes with a free cup of soup, if you like soup…

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Food Exchange on Madison bet 41st and 42nd. It’s our all-purpose stop for salads, paninis and personal pizzas. And the Grand Central Food Court. Totally overpriced but convenient for eating with a bunch of people.

Place you discovered on MidtownLunch.com: Yum Thai, Kikku Sushi, Kati Roll, Taki Sushi, & Sophie’s Cuban.

Anything else you’d like to say to the Midtown Lunch readers?: This site has provided me with some tasty lunch ideas as well as being a great time killer. It’s perfect for a city that has such a serious foodie culture. Maybe there should be a Midtownlunch.com happy hour meet-up??? 

Actually Corey, I’m pretty sure there already is one… details on that, a preview of tomorrow’s post, and how you can be next weeks Midtown Lunch’er, after the jump…

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So it’s Tuesday… which means I turn over the site to a Midtown Lunch’er for their recommendations of places to eat in Midtown. If you saw the article about Food Bloggers in the NY Times on Sunday, than you might recognize “Nosher”, the blogger responsible for NYCNosh (despite being incognito).  But what you may not have known, is that Nosher is also a Midtown Lunch’er!

Name: Nosher

Age: 37

Occupation: Internet Social Networking Consultant (and author of the blog NYCNosh)

Where in Midtown do you Work?: I work all over Midtown helping companies start blogging and utilizing online communities… but I have an actual office in Midtown West.

Favorite Kind of Food: It’s a tie between Japanese and Italian.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Fast food

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: I know by even saying this in public I’m screwing myself out of eating this dish more often (because they only make about 10 of them a day), but I have to give an emphatic thumbs up to the spicy tuna baguette at Cafe Zaiya.  It’s the same fish they use for spicy tuna rolls, just minced with a little bit of sweet mayo and finely diced shallots.  Mind altering… really. 

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Is it heresy to say Kati Roll?  It seems to suffer from inconsistency issues these days, now that it’s among the more popular lunch destinations.

Place you discovered on MidtownLunch.com: I had no idea there was a crepe cart on 53rd St. between 5th & 6th ave.  That scoop alone makes me love Midtown Lunch.

What would be your dream job location for Lunch purposes? I mentioned once that I wished I worked closer to Cafe Zaiya, but I like that it’s a little bit of a trek for me.  Walking through Bryant Park is never dull, and it’s even more rewarding when you can bypass the ‘wichcraft line on your way to something better.  But these days I wouldn’t mind being a little closer to Yakitori Totto.  (Editor’s Note:  I agree about the Yakitori Totto thing… unfortunately, all the amazing yakitori places, and izakayas in Midtown are only open for dinner!!!!)

Anything you’d like to ask our Midtown Lunch readers?  Anybody know where I could find a really high quality lobster roll (to go or eat in) in Midtown for lunch?  Even a great fish taco would do… I’d also like to suggest to Midtown Lunch’ers that they make the extra effort to walk a few blocks west once in a while and explore what’s available in the upper 30’s through 50’s on Ninth and even Tenth Avenues. Some of the best food in Manhattan is there, from Amy’s Bread to Tehuitzingo; it’s a real lunchtime paradise.

Well, I certainly can’t disagree about the Hell’s Kitchen thing.  If you work on the West side of Midtown, 9th Ave. is a treasure chest of lunch options.  Right now I only go as far as 8th Ave., but eventually I’ll probably cave and expand so I can write about Lucky Burger, some of the great thai places, Rice ‘n Beans, Ariana Afghan, Old San Juan, Nook, Philly Slim’s, Island Burgers & Shakes, Azuri Cafe & Empanada Mama.

Speaking of empanadas, that crepe cart on 53rd btw. 5th & 6th also has empanadas.  Pics of those, my favorite crepes in Midtown, and how you can be next week’s Profiled: Midtown Lunch’er after the jump…

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So it’s Tuesday… which means I turn over the site to a Midtown Lunch’er for their recommendations of places to eat in Midtown. This week, it’s Josh- an Interactive Marketing guy who just realized his lifelong goal of helping people gain the ability to turn themselves into M&M’s.

Name: Josh

Age: 36

Occupation: Interactive Marketing Executive (recently oversaw the launch of http://www.becomeanmm.com/)

Where in Midtown do you Work?: BBDO New York (51st & 6th Ave.)

Favorite Kind of Food: Pasta — especially Ziti with meat sauce and two meatballs from a place near White Plains named LaMandas — it’s PURE red sauce, checkered box table cloths, and familiy-owned for 60 years.  Greatness and well worth the trip!

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Sweet dishes — ya know, the ones that mix lamb with prunes or chicken with orange, etc. I’m a savory foods guy; keep your prunes away from my meal!

Favorite Place to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Burger Joint at the Parker Meridian hotel — any of their burgers.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Cafe Duke (51st btw. 6&7th)— it’s across the street, easy, and it feels like they have some new stuff everyday, although I always end up with the same Mac-n-Cheese and peas….

Place you discovered on MidtownLunch.com: Daisy May’s BBQ cart. Great pulled pork!

What would be your dream job location for Lunch purposes? Providence, R.I. – THE best sandwich shop, Geoff’s, serves one called THE JUGGS; turkey, bacon laid on top, swiss melted over the two, pumpernickel bread, CRANBERRY SAUCE, onions, lettuce and something called “sheds sauce” – a garlicky mayonnaise! OH MY!.  (Editor’s Note:  The cranberry sauce contradicts your dislike of sweet and savory my friend.  It’s time to join the dark side.  A round of orange chicken for everyone!!!!)

Anything you’d like to ask our Midtown Lunch readers? As a founding member of Chowhound, I’ve always tried to find an answer to WHERE ARE THE BEST BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS? The closest I’ve come to perfection is on Central Ave. in Scarsdale at a place called CANDLELIGHT INN…any thoughts Midtown Eaters??

Hmmm… I’ve never had buffalo wings in Midtown.  Good question.  As far as Mac & Cheese at Cafe Duke goes, I don’t know if you are talking about the by the lb. M&C or the order at the counter M&C; but if you’re talking about the stuff at the buffet, then you have found one of my favorite little jems of Midtown. 

It’s no S’Mac or Supermac, but the by the lb. Mac & Cheese at Cafe Duke’s is better then you would think.  Downside… it’s by the pound, and you know how much trouble that crap can get me into.  One of my co-workers found out the hard way last week when he loaded up one of those big plastic containers with Mac & Cheese, and the bill came out to $10!!!  Want to see what $10 worth of Mac & Cheese looks like?  The pic is after the jump…   

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