Midtown Lunch

One of the 100 Best Things TONY Ate in 2008? Photo by The Flooz

Time Out New York has released their “100 Best Things We Ate and Drank” in 2008 list, and five different Midtown Lunches made the list. In their sandwich category, three of the five choices were from Midtown, including the fried pork and plantain sandwich from Sophie’s Cuban, the falafel sandwich from Olympic Pita (on 38th btw. 5+6th), and the marinated white anchovy sandwich from ‘wichcraft (which I clearly have to try!).  The “pickle pork soup” from Hing Won (on 48th btw. 5+6th) also made the list in the “Protein” category; but most surprising was the inclusion of the Papri Chat from Indus Express (also on 48th btw. 5+6th), which was selected in the “Street Eats” category. I think Indus Express is a great Midtown Lunch’ing option, and I love to see them get love from Time Out New York, but I think if I was going to pick a best chaat in Midtown, I would have to go with Taj Delhi Chat (on 6th Ave. btw. 37+38th). Maybe a side by side taste test is in order! (Has anybody already done this?)

Last night, Time Out New York announced their Eat Out Awards for 2008, and while most were not Midtown related, there were a few opportunities to root for the home team.  We dominated the Readers’ Choice Fast Food category, with Five Guys beating out Go Go Curry, Zen Burger, and Moaz (the lone non-midtown nominee).

But the biggest smackdown of the night came in the Readers’ Choice Mobile Food Category, where the long awaited Treats Truck vs. Dessert Truck battle finally took place.  Unfortunately $5 Chocolate Bread Pudding was too much to overcome, and the Dessert Truck prevailed.  I wouldn’t worry about it too much though Treats Truck… you’re in great company considering the always amazing (and my personal favorite) Casellula in Hell’s Kitchen, lost out to the Downing St. (do they really need another award) Blue Ribbon in the Best Wine Bar Category.  

Check out the rest of the Midtown mentions (most requiring expense accounts), after the jump… Read more »

The Bulgogi Cart on 49th btw. 6+7th Ave. popped up in Time Out New York’s Cheap Eats Issue yesterday, in what can only be referred to as a huge surprise.  Now, I know I’ve written about this cart a ton, and I want to love it, I really do, but it’s just not that great.  It’s gotten better, and I’m sort of into their kalbi & japchae- but overall, to put it in a Street Food category with the likes of Otafuku & the Red Hook Ballfields is a huge stretch.  I wouldn’t travel too far out of my way for this one.  It’s not even the best cart serving Bulgogi in Midtown, which I think is probably Kim’s Aunt Kitchen Cart.  But NY Magazine already wrote about that one, and I’m guessing the editors at TONY were looking for something new.  In the end, crap like this makes me call into question all the other places in the issue.  Here are some of the other Midtown spots they mentioned:

• Bread & Olive (45th btw. 5+6th) – Your standard Middle Eastern Fare from Lebanon.  TONY recommends the Stuffed Grape Leaves.
• Go Go Curry (38th btw. 7+8th) – Japanese spot with four kinds of curry over rice.  TONY recommends… the curry!
• AQ Cafe (Park Ave. & 38th) – This Aquavit owned Scandanavian cafe is pretty awesome.  I ate there a few weeks ago, and plan on writing about it soon.  TONY recommends the Smorgasbord.
• Grand Central Oyster Bar (42nd & Park, Grand Central) – TONY puts this one (along with the AQ Cafe in a “Gourmet” category, and suggests you order the Oyster Pan Roast for $9.95.

And that’s it.  For cheap desserts they recommended these 3, available in Midtown:

• Treats Truck – Ah yes.  We are all too familiar with the amazing Treats Truck.  They have been at 38th & 5th on Weds or Thurs. for the past few weeks, and will be there again today (because of the steam explosion they will not be at that location today).  Check www.treatstruck.com for locations.
• Landmarc (Time Warner Center, Columbus Circle) – The Cotton Candy.  Free for kids, $3 for adults.  According to TONY they have different flavors every day, including Pink Vanilla, Cherry, grape, lime & tangerine.
• Prime Burger (51st btw. 5th+Madison) – The Coconut Layer Cake.  Now that sounds interesting… 

A few more reommendations slightly out of bounds for Midtown Lunch’ing, but sound like they may be worth the walk.  After the jump… Read more »