Midtown Lunch

Photo Courtesy of Mac & Cheese

• The pastrami at Delicatessen gets a seal of approval [Drawing for Food]
• The onion marmalade on Devil Alley’s veggie burger makes the burger a winner [Mac & Cheese]
• Discussion on Philly comfort food [Chow]
• Hoagie joint Gaetano’s opened earlier this month [Meal Ticket]
• Authentic Banh Mi for $3.25 only a few miles over the Ben Franklin Bridge [Philly.com]
• Bitar’s Market in South Philly has Lebanese sandwiches and ingredients for making your own creations [Meal Ticket]

I was more excited by the news of the opening of Maru Global than any other restaurant opening this winter; the prospect of fresh takoyaki in Center City made me squeal with joy.  The fried, octopus dough balls are one of my favorite foods. Since its shaky opening (they were open, then they weren’t, then they still weren’t…) the small establishment has been evolving and attempting to work out the kinks.

Inside, Maru has a few small tables, an open kitchen, and a selection of Japanese candy and drinks to go along with the Japanese menu. Just don’t expect any sushi. Fun, Japanese street food is served, with an emphasis on local and organic ingredients and a playful take on fusion flavors. Maru is also able to make accommodations for vegan diets and food allergies.

Surprisingly it was not the takoyaki that I was most taken with, it was actually the Curry Burrito Bento.

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Happy St. Patty’s Day people! Stuck at the office? At least your lunch can be festive. Just try not to fill up on beer. Philly has great options for corned beef sandwiches, here are just a few…

Pictured above is one of Philly’s deli version, from the Kibitz Room (1521 Locust btw 15th and 16th). A corned beef sandwich is one of the sandwiches offered for Kibitz Room’s weekday under $10 lunch special. Their sliced corned beef has the right combo of leanness and fattiness. The special includes a drink and fries and access to their amazing pickle bar.

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As is customary at Philly Lunch, every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Philadelphia. This week it’s Alex, a healthy public affairs manager who hates cake.

Name: Alexandra

Age: 26

Occupation: Public Affairs Manager

Where in Philly do you Work?: Comcast Center, 18th & JFK

Favorite Kind of Food: Tons of veggies, especially beets, carrots and cucumbers. I also love fish, cheese, bread and steak.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I don’t like any kind of cake.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Philly: Ralph’s Cafe (43rd Floor of the Comcast Center- it’s a cafeteria but it has the some of the best views in the city), Matyson, Butcher & Singer (1500 Walnut St.), Pikkles Plus (1801 Market Street).

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For about a year now, several Reading Terminal purveyors have offered a $7 lunch special. Pearl’s Oyster Bar is located at the entrance of Reading Terminal with several counters for seating and a menu full of fried and raw seafood. Their lunch special consists of a soda, your choice of Manhattan or New England clam chowder, and a fried cod sandwich.

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