Midtown Lunch

Good news for the upper part of the FiDi that has a far walk for the weekly stops of Kimchi Taco Truck and Big D’s Grub. Lunch’er Justin sent in the above photo advertising the forthcoming Kortako on Nassau St. between John & Fulton. It’s being opened by the Bon Chon on John people and it appears they will sell both tacos and sandwiches. I’ll be curious what they offer for the latter, but really it’s just nice to have something that isn’t a chain opening downtown.

There was a line stretching down the block when I walked toward Potbelly Sandwich Shop on Maiden Lane (nr. Gold) today during prime lunch time. They were handling things well, though, passing out menus and water and once you got inside a guy with a less techy version of an iPad took your order. All you had to do was tell the people at the counter if you wanted additional toppings on your sandwich . I think I waited less than 20 minutes in line – not bad for an opening day! How was the food, though? Check back tomorrow to see what I ate and a for a little advice in the toppings department.

Attention Potbelly Sandwich Shop fanatics: You’ll be happy to know the store on Maiden Lane (nr. Gold) starts serving food at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow as I found when I thought they were open today, but instead found it was an invitation-only friends and family event. If you’re not familiar with the Chicago-based chain they sell sandwiches, shakes, soups and salads along with fresh-baked cookies. I’m eager to check it out to see what all the fuss is about, but one thing they have going for them is sandwiches top out at $5.80. Also, if you have any recommendations on what to eat here let us know in the comments.

There’s been a lot of work going on behind a huge black plywood wall on the corner of Fulton & Nassau for a few months now – since shortly after the demise of Terrace Fish & Chip. I’d been monitoring it since I was pretty sure it was going to be a restaurant of some sort, and according to a Twitter post yesterday from someone who peeked behind plywood, it’s another location of Financier Patisserie. There’s no visible signage up, but if you look at the top of the picture there is a nice greenish-yellow paint job and some black lamps which seems very Financier to me. If it’s true, this would be the third location in the Financial District. Update: There’s now a sign up saying the store opens on July 7. Maybe there will be free food involved…

That giant kosher place Milk Street Cafe that popped up in the old Mangia space on Wall St. (at William) nearly a year ago is opening its doors tomorrow. They’re having a ceremony and giving out free cookies and coffee from 10 to 11 a.m. and will be open for lunch afterward. Regular hours are 6:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. except for Fridays when they close at 3:30 p.m. Based on a press preview a couple of weeks ago it looks way better than most generic delis down here and should be a great destination for all you vegetarians out there.

The opening of the Nixtamalito Taqueria kiosk was a big deal for the area around city hall and the 1 Centre St. building that was mostly void of decent lunch options. Since that opened several of the other kiosks nearby that were vacant have become occupied, selling things like burgers and cafe fare, quiche and gluten-free pizza, fancy grilled cheese and shaved ice. One more is set to open next to Nixtamalito, selling Korean BBQ, making this one of the most concentrated areas of decent lunch options downtown. Click through for a look at what municipal workers and those on jury duty can look forward to come lunch time.

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I really think more lunch places should open on a Friday when you maybe have a little more leeway to wait in massive lines for things like Shack Burgers or lobster rolls. Luke’s Lobster opens the doors today at 10:30 a.m. on S. William St. (btw. Hanover Sq. & Broad). It sounds like there’s plenty of indoor seating, and the genius idea of a lobster roll express window for those who don’t want to leave the balmy heat or open a door. It might be best to block out a little more time for lunch today because you know the Wall St. crowd is going to be all over this.