Midtown Lunch

There are some days when I head out with a specific lunch destination in mind, but sometimes those intentions get derailed. And that’s how I ended up with a lunch that had far more vegetables in it than I’m used to eating. Backyard Chicken has been around for a while, and in a previous review the chicken did not get rave reviews. But what about its other offering of salmon (which said review questioned who would ever order it)? Could it be a hidden gem waiting to be found? Read more »

I know some of you are fans of the Hot Soup Cart that serves one thing, and one thing only. Well, I spotted them yesterday on Wall St. at Hanover, making their comeback just in time for the cold weather. And they’re conveniently parked across from the indoor atrium if you don’t want to eat soup at your desk.

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 a change of pace with Chirag, who is a vegetarian trying to find a decent lunch and a fan of all things chickpea.

Name: Chirag Shah

Occupation: Web developer

Where you work: 120 Broadway, next to the big red cube.

Age: 33

Favorite Kinds of Food: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian, Mexican

Least Favorite Foods: “American,” namely burger & steak places as there are generally very few vegetarian options.

Favorite Lunches Downtown: 1) Veguette sandwich at Baoguette on Maiden Lane (btw. Nassau & Broadway)- That kung pao soy protein is delicious. 2) Falafel sandwich with extra tahini at Alan’s Falafel Cart on Broadway (at Liberty), although nothing beats Mamoun’s Falafel in the Village. 3) Veggie rice from the Xpress Power Lunch cart on Nassau (at Maiden Lane) – Chickpeas and veggies in a wonderful blend of spices over rice and soaked with that tasty white sauce.

The “go-to” lunch place you and your co-workers eat at too often: Pret (Multiple Locations) has some really good sandwiches and they always seem to have at least a couple of options in the sandwich and wrap department.  Hale & Hearty (Multiple Locations) when it starts to get cold, like now.  Their “V” designation makes my usually difficult task of finding vegetarian options very easy. Read more »

A walk past Oliva Gourmet on Broadway (btw. Vesey & Barclay) revealed a new sign for Russian blini, which didn’t surprise me because this place also started serving alcohol at a bar in the back last summer for all the tourists flocking to the tour bus stop outside. For $6.50, they may be worth a shot at stepping inside this place.

It sounds like the closing of Donald Sacks in the World Financial Center could mean a move inside for Ed’s Lobster Bar Cart that opened at the beginning of this summer at the marina outside. Eater brings word that they could move into the vacated space starting next season, so maybe you can get expensive lobster rolls year round. Incidentally, they’re now closed for the season.

There aren’t too many options for Latin food downtown other than Sophie’s Cuban and a few other places that are mostly out of ML price territory. West Side Coffee Shop on Church (at Canal) at first looks like a regular diner or coffee shop like the Roxy, but it is so much more. And even if you’re completely starving, I guarantee you can get enough food here in a single lunch to feed a small family. Read more »