Midtown Lunch

I am always looking for a reason to travel to the farthest reaches of downtown, so on the recommendation of Lunch’er Katie, I headed down to the Water St. Gourmet Deli on Water (btw. Broad & Moore) for some Tabasco chicken. I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into but figured since I liked all things spicy this wouldn’t be too much of a gamble. Find out what this lunch blind date looked like after the jump. Read more »

Taiwanese potsticker seller A-Pou’s Taste seems to be a permanent fixture in the line of carts on Liberty St. (at Broadway), and I had only eaten there when they were fairly new at the first ever Pushcart Market and still trying to work out some major kinks (mainly, long waits). Since then they’ve moved from the East Village to the Financial District and every time I walk by there’s a line so I figured it was time to eat there again for review purposes before the Vendy Awards this Saturday where they have a shot at being crowned the Rookie of the Year.

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The paper has come down on the new location of Chickpea on John St. (nr. William), and in its place are two flat screens flashing pictures of baked french fries and directing you to their Web site. That would be fine and all, if it weren’t replacing a sign that said the location would be open after Labor Day, you know, two weeks ago. I peeked inside to see how ready to open it looked, and I’m guessing in the next few days despite no signage being up. If anyone sees that they’re finally selling baked falafel and shawarma, let us know in the comments.

I, like most office workers in the Financial District, don’t really venture too far into the South Street Seaport area unless forced to for happy hour or out of town guests. The dining options are overpriced and mostly grim, targeted toward the tourists that are the bread and butter of the place. One day I wandered into the indoor “mall” of the Seaport, and discovered what may be the weirdest food court in Manhattan. Sure, there are a couple of chain restaurants (Subway, Nathan’s, Edy’s ice cream), but other than that it’s a collection of independent vendors heavy on the Americanized Asian food. See what your bourbon chicken options are after the jump. Read more »

It’s been mentioned twice now by profiled lunch’ers, but until a few weeks ago I had no idea the Barbarini empire existed. It’s on Front St. (nr. Beekman) off the main drag of South Street Seaport, on a nice little stretch of cobblestone street. One lunch’er recommended the spaghetti alla chitarra, while another mentioned the speck, taleggio and frisee sandwich. The little Barbarini empire exists in three forms: Mercato, Ristorante andAlimentari. The Mercato part sells Italian products, with a meat counter, and reminded me a lot of Despana. Make sure if you want anything to go, you go into the Alimentari entrance or you will look like a confused tourist. It was a sandwich I was after because although the homemade pastas sounded delicious, the cheapest one is $13 and I wasn’t prepared to eat spaghetti while sitting on a bench outside. Read more »

Do you like golden-hued pastries stuffed with meat? And would you like to pair one of those patties with some chicken and rice and peas for less than $10? Well, then Golden Krust is the place to be since they have a $5 lunch special of either curry or stew chicken with “veg” and rice and peas. I realize this is probably not as good as going to either of the Veronica’s Kitchen or Little Ochi carts downtown, but it is slightly cheaper and a little more accessible for those who work in the northern part of the Financial District. I went to the location on Nassau St. (btw. John and Fulton) to try out the lunch special and finally try one of their patties that I see everyone in my neighborhood eating. Read more »

There was a huge amount of excitement last year when word came that a cart selling banh mi was coming to the Financial District. Longs lines ensued. Really long lines. Well, the No. 1 Banh Mi Cart is still down here, at Pearl St. and Hanover to be exact. Prices are up $1 since Daniel visited and the menu is different. There’s also a giant picture of summer rolls on the side for identification purposes. Read more »