Midtown Lunch

My lord… the line for Gourmet 53’s $3 lunch today is even crazier than I expected! Basically the beginning and end of the line were practically at the same place (wrapping around the entire food court!) As promised there is free coconut shrimp. (In fact, right before I left I cut the line, snagged a coconut shrimp, and took off. The lady handing ’em out seemed pretty pissed. Oh well!)

UPDATE: The owner just checked in to let us know that by 1:30pm they were out of coconut shrimp. You have until 3pm…

Clearly nobody seems to mind paying an extra $1 for delicious high quality shnitzel. Reports have been pouring in from 52nd and 6th since just before noon, where the Schnitzel and Things Truck has been holding court. According to reports the lines have been out of control since they opened (anywhere from 30-40 people at a time) but as of 1pm nothing had sold out yet.

Don’t want to wait in line? The red “Hot Soup” carts are back (the first sign of fall.) Thanks to Lunch’er Matt for sending in the photo.

Most people would think eating at an all you can eat Chinese food buffet (on 7th Ave btw 40+41st) while the rest of my people fast would make me the worst Jew of all time. But I think it makes me the best, because if Yom Kippur is all about feeling guilty about all the bad things you’ve done, than a buffet works far better for me than temple. In addition to guilt I’m also feeling severe heartburn. Well played God, well played.

Related:
Pick a Pita is as Close to Temple As I’ll Get This Week
The M.L. Guide to Beating the All You Can Eat Chinese Food Buffet

What’s a good lunch spot to prepare myself for tomorrow’s Vendy Awards madness? Kwik Meal (on 45th an 6th) of course! The 2007 People’s Choice Vendy winner should provide just the base my stomach needs for the massive amounts of street food I will be consuming tomorrow from 2-7pm. (Naturally it will have to be followed up by something from The Treats Truck, last year’s dessert winner!)

The New York Times “$25 and Under” column takes a look at a host of new food trucks this morning, giving the thumbs up to the pork and cod on the Schnitzel & Things truck, the lamb sausage from the Bistro Truck (which never did come to Midtown!), the desserts from Picnick Smoked downtown, and the fried chicken from the NYC Cravings Truck. The La Cense Burger truck didn’t fare as well… “the cheese was unmelted, and the beef as dry and tepid as the bun. “

What’s the word for hooray in Turkish, because that’s what I want to yell right now. Gulluoglu, the Turkish baklava temple, has opened their Midtown East location (on 52nd and 2nd Ave.) Now is usually the time where I mention that it’s out of bounds, but I’m too excited stuffing my face to care.

They have a pretty spectacular array of sweets, all covered in honey, or syrup, or cream, or all of the above- and most are in bite sized portions so it’s pretty easy to say give me one of everything (which is pretty much what I did.)

They also have savory pastries (some of which I’ve never seen before), plus sandwiches and salads- and everything is under $10- making it a full fledged Midtown Lunch’ing destination.

Oh and they also have imported Turkish ice cream made from goats milk (!!!) It’s pretty much one of the greatest places I’ve ever been, and well worth hiking to 2nd Ave.

Full report with photos coming soon…

It looks like Variety Cafe (the giant generic Midtown Deli on 48th btw. 5+6th) has been closed by the department of health for the second time in 3 years. According to somebody on the scene they hung a sign in the window claiming the infractions were minor (like “leaving the cap off the orange juice”.) The sign had already been taken down by the time I got there.

In a stroke of brilliant marketing though, Channel Four (the pub next door that is famous for selling the “bacon explosion”) put one of their young lasses in front to hand out Channel Four flyers to all the confused Variety Cafe fans. You know it’s all fun and games until the DOH comes after you…

Related:
Tale of Two Signs: Variety Cafe Closes for “Repairs”
Original Variety Cafe Post (6/27/2006)

The opening of giant generic Midtown delis is not usually excited news for Midtown Lunchers, but when you work on the far outskirts of Midtown it can become an epic event.  Those who work in the wasteland of the far west 30s (I’m looking at you Profiled Midtown Lunch’er Jamie) will be excited to hear that Frame Gourmet Eatery (on 33rd btw. 9+10th) will be opening on Monday.

Various food stations include a sushi bar with udon noodles and rice bowls, sandwiches, grilled paninis and wraps, as well as a toss-your-own-salad bar plus tasty desserts. Hot meal options include meats, grilled chicken, vegetables, Italian specialties and daily soups. There will be seating for about 20 guests.

Don’t think I’ll be making the trek out for this one, but if early adopters discover something delicious when they open next week (ala Cafe Duke’s Korean food station) feel free to post it in the comments.

Frame Gourmet Eatery, 424 West 33rd Street (btw. 9+10th), 212 273 3730