Midtown Lunch

The Plaza Deli at John St. & Pearl pretty much screams “I’m a generic deli!” when you walk by. I noticed, however, that they’re making attempts at serving more types of food than sandwiches, soup and things off a steam table.

According to two different sandwich boards leaning outside, they are selling bibimbap and “ramyun” aka ramen. I’m sure neither item is mind blowing, but hey, at least they’re trying!

Maybe I was the only one alarmed with an imposter halal cart started parking at William St. & Maiden Lane where Halal Gyro Express has parked for some time.

Yesterday, I walked by and they were back! Rest easy everyone, you can get your bargain lamb chops and other Afghani delights again.

The South Street Seaport has never been particularly hip, unless you consider clipper ships the hot new thing. There were some reliable lunch spots there though that have been sorely missed since hurricane Sandy decimated the area. A few places that were on higher ground have reopened, but the area is still largely a work in progress.

The other day I had some extra time on my hands and headed over. The lure was the 10 Smorgasburg vendors that have set up stands on Front St.through October, alongside a bar in a shipping container.  Read more »

After a grand opening went awry due to hurricane Sandy, Dough Re Mi is finally opening today serving us doughnuts, bagels and grilled cheese, among other breakfast and lunch items.

The shop at Water St. and Coenties Slip was set to open in the fall of 2012 when the hurricane flooded the area and caused extensive damage in the storefront. You can read the whole story here, but the news you really care about is they’re finally ready to feed us. According to their Facebook page, the hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and if any of you check them out on opening day, let us know how the food was in the comments.

Dough Re Mi, 36 Water St. (btw. Coenties Slip & Broad), (212) 947-4400

Better than Parm? Via SENY.

• Italian Food Center might be a good Parm alternative. [SENY]
• Park Lane Deli is dunzo. [Tribeca Citizen]
• Peanut noodles sound like a good summer lunch. [FitR]
• An endorsement of a fish sandwich at an LES bar. [Blondie & Brownie]
  

For the past couple of years, I’ve really been wanting to try out the angus burger at Bon Chon on John St. (at Cliff). Then the place nearly burned down and they were closed for a time earlier this year. Thankfully, they’ve reopened with the same menu, and I could fulfill my need for a burger topped with kimchi and an onion ring.  Read more »

There are some carts in the Financial District that you kind of have to be lucky to catch, and such is the case of R. Retha’s. The cart – formerly the called Jamaican Dutchy, parking in Midtown – materialized downtown at the corner of William & Beaver before it was seen being towed away with a yellow sticker meaning it had been shuttered by the Department of Health.

Then there was word that the cart had returned, but every time I’d walked down in search of curried meats with some peas and rice, it was nowhere to be found. Had it disappeared again?

The good news is they’re still parking in the Financial District (or at least they were on Monday in the pouring rain), but you have to test your luck to see if they’re there. And if they are, might I suggest some curried goat?  Read more »