Midtown Lunch

Allow me to take a walk down memory lane for a minute. My very first review for this site was a banh mi sandwich at Mangez Avec Moi Express, and it was delicious enough that I went back and tried another one a few days later. I’d been meaning to go back there either to try the by-the-pound buffet or the food at the sit down restaurant Mangez Avec Moi next door. A look at the lunch menu made it seem like a really good idea to eat at the sit down portion as my first official downtown lunch of 2011. There was pho and other noodle soups, on top of a bunch of rice dishes that topped out at $8.95. I figured I couldn’t go wrong with so many options under $10. Read more »

If you are a fan or hater of the Frites N Meats truck you may want to check out the argument going on in the forums over the quality of its food. The gist of it seems to be the quality to price ratio is off, although what started the discussion was a bad first experience at the truck.

I spotted this sign in the window of Bangal Curry II on W. Broadway (btw. Murray & Warren) the other day. If I hadn’t just eaten lunch somewhere else I would have screeched to a halt on the sidewalk and then had quail (with mild Indian spices) for lunch. Their food has been decent the couple of times I’ve eaten there and I may have to make a return visit for this one.  If anyone has eaten this, please let us know in the comments.

When I think about all of the food voids that we have in the Financial District, customizable pasta doesn’t immediately come to mind. Good Indian, Korean – hell, more food trucks on a regular basis – we’re missing them all. Now we have Hello Pasta and I am mostly thankful it’s not another generic deli. Two locations have already opened in midtown and the first impression seemed to underwhelm, but it didn’t classify as terrible. How would the new location on Maiden Lane (nr. Water) measure up? I headed over on opening day to stuff my face with pasta and find out. Read more »

As is customary here on Midtown Lunch, every Tuesday we’ll profile a different lunch’er and get their recommendations for places to eat in Downtown NYC. This week, we have Mel who is a recent transplant downtown but has wisely been using this site to make her lunches less painful. She needs your help locating a source of Latin food that may or may not exist.

Name: Mel B.

Occupation: Administrative assistant

Where you work: Trump Building – Wall St.

Age: 33

Favorite Kinds of Food: Mexican, sushi, Indian, Cuban/Puerto Rican/Dominican, street meat, anything spicy, non-odorous cheese, avocado, chocolate, designer frou-frou coffees.

Least Favorite Foods: Meatballs, animal organs, $15 salads, fast food Chinese, pre-made sushi/maki rolls, olives, fresh ginger.

Favorite Lunches Downtown: Indian at Zeytuna on Nassau (btw. John & Maiden Lane), sandwiches at Lane Cafe on Maiden (btw. William & Gold); Sushi from Haru on Wall St. Ct. (btw. Pine & Pearl) –  It’s out of ML price range but sooo (yes thats 3 o’s of yumminess) yummy; Street meat from the cart on William in front of the Chase Building across from Financier (Ed. note: It’s Pasha’s Cart btw. Pine & Liberty); Hummus plate from Chickpea on John (nr. William) – I’m so waiting for Crisp to open up on Fulton & William; Tilapia burrito from Terrace Fish & Chips (Multiple locations); Vietnamese sandwich & bubble tea from Nicky’s on Nassau (at Ann); Blackened salmon from Texas Rotisserie & Grill on Fulton (btw. William & Gold); Anything from Sophie’s (Multiple Locations); Burgers from Five Guys on Fulton (at Dutch); Slices from It’s a Pizza on John (btw. Broadway & Nassau) for their unique varieties; Whole pies from Adrienne’s on Stone St. (nr. Hanover Sq.) or Harry’s Italian on Gold (at Platt); McRib from McDonald’s; Cupcakes from Crumbs (I’m 33 –  I can have cupcakes for lunch if I want); Tomato cheddar soup from Hale & Hearty (Multiple Locations). Read more »