Midtown Lunch

It looks like Toloache is trying to bump up business by offering some deals on tacos and burritos that are ongoing. Every time I’ve walked by recently, it seems there has been a signboard out front advertising three mix and match tacos for $9, which is a decrease from $12. Another sign in the window shows that you can get a burrito for $9 and $7 on Fridays (if I’m reading that correctly). These prices are pretty on par for the area, but after some of their dishes jumped the $10 mark, it’s nice to see some back within our lunching price range.

You sandwich fiends out there should be happy to know that the Potbelly Sandwich Shop on Maiden Lane (btw. Gold & Pearl) has reopened after being shuttered by hurricane Sandy. (As far as I know the location at 90 Broad St. is still closed).

Potbelly is one of the first in the string of chain lunch spots at the bottom of Maiden Lane to reopen, with Pret a Manger still closed, along with a Hale & Hearty location across the street. As we’ve noted, the Goodburger at Maiden & Pearl is turning into a location of P.J. Clarke’s spin off Clarke’s Standard, which just opened in Midtown.

And what about Hot Clay Oven? Read more »

It seems that sometime since I last ate at Alfanoose on Maiden Lane (btw. Broadway & Nassau) the restaurant has started playing up the fact that they serve Lebanese food rather than generic “Middle Eastern cuisine,” or coasting on the fact that at some point they were once named as having the best falafel in the city. I’ve never been wowed by the falafel, but they do have a pretty extensive selection of vegetarian items on the menu (a french fry sandwich!), including fried cauliflower. I figured this could either be a very good, or very bad way to pretend I’m being healthy.

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This or a croissant from a fancy French bakery? Tough call. Via SENY.

• Something called Desi Shack may be coming downtown. [NY Post]
• A Xi’an Famous Foods location is no more. [NY Times]
• Gold St. has an Italian restaurant again. [Tribeca Citizen]
• Props to this cheesy veggie sandwich. [SENY]

It’s true this site has a bias against the many generic delis dotting the downtown landscape. It’s also true that some of them serve at least one thing that differentiates them from the others, whether it’s roast pork, rare roast beef or Korean food. A while back, someone tipped us off that Variety Cafe on Broadway had a mongolian grill where you pick your fixings and they cook it for you. After an investigation, it seems that you need to employ some sort of strategy to keep your lunch here under $10.

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Did you eat your weight in chicken wings during the Super Bowl last weekend and have a craving for more? That may just be me, but if you don’t want to have to go into a bar like Mudville 9 to get your fix, you could head to the location of the Atomic Wings chain near City Hall which is a subterranean source of sauced chicken on Broadway (btw. Duane & Thomas). When I saw it listed in one of those “best wings of NYC” lists, I figured it was worth a visit. Read more »

The string of Smorgasburg vendors setting up shop at the Whole Foods at Bowery and Houston St. continues with a place called Rice and Miso Everyday taking over the second-floor counter starting today through March 5. Rice and Miso follows Mighty Quinn’s and Milk Truck, and will be serving Japanese food like rice balls and bento boxes. Also of note: A Smorgasburg Snack Bar is also opening on the second floor with items like S’Mores pie, doughnuts and New Orleans-style iced coffee and slushes. Click through for a look at Rice and Miso’s menu. (Photo via Fork in the Road)

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