Midtown Lunch

• Someone else liked yesterday’s reviewed spot, Philadelphia Chutney Co [Living on the Vedge]
• A look at Zahav’s Restaurant Week lunch [Two Eat Philly]
• Grace’s Tavern makes a nice classic cheeseburger [A Hamburger Today]
• Suggestions on how to feed yourself at lunchtime on $2.20. I’d go with the Bread Top House idea. [Yelp]
• Get your Ethiopian tartare at Kaffa Crossing [Phila Weekly]

I know there are people out there who simply do not love the flavors of Indian cooking, and that’s their business. And of course, like myself, there are tons of people who seek out Indian food. At Philadelphia Chutney Company both types of diners can share a table. Many of the dosas are filled with atypical ingredients, like ones you would find in a wrap. So, this is a way someone could dip their toe into trying Indian food, with experiencing the dosa wrapper, while remaining in their comfort zone. And, since the 2 menu items -dosas and uttapas- are gluten free, this was the another place to dine with my gluten free, non-Indian food loving friend.

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Today Morgan is reporting on Bossam bar, a fast, affordable Korean fusion spot on 7th and Sansom.  With the recent love for Korean Tacos, Burritos, and Ssam (Korean Wraps), I am shocked this place has not been publicized at all.

Like many Philadelphians, I imagine, I’ve heard a great deal about the Korean taco trend but have not had a chance to try them. I heard the buzz when they hit Ansill (now closed) and have been meaning to try them since chef David Ansill moved over to Ladder 15. From there the trend has spread, Jamie got an early preview of Giwa’s version, but I had still never had the opportunity to cross paths with a Korean taco myself. So I was super excited to hear about Bossam Bar, a Korean/Japanese fusion restaurant that opened in the Jewelers Row location formerly occupied by Tampopo.

I was a little confused when I walked in, but the guy behind the cash register quickly explained the procedure to us. The menu is projected on the wall near the entrance. You’re meant to tell your selection to the man at the register, pay, then seat yourself. They bring your food out to you on cafeteria trays as it’s prepared. Then you bus your own tray to the racks in the back of the room. The set-up reminded me of my college’s dining hall. Besides this new, relaxed method of service, the interior is wholly unchanged from the Tampopo days.

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Philly Restaurant Week is back again (January 16-21 & 23-28) with $20 3 and 4 course lunches.With so many participating restaurants it is hard to know where to get the most bang for your buck. I went through the menus of the restaurants offering lunch during Restaurant Week and picked out the ones that sounded the best and what I would order at each.

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Today, stop by the soft opening of Freshii at the Ritz Carlton (1414 S Penn Sq) with free food throughout the day. Starting at 7am (NOW CHANGED TO WEDNESDAY), the first 30 people get free breakfast and drink. From  7 to 10:30 get a free coffee or tea with your breakfast purchase. From 10:30 to 12:30, the first 200 people get a “free meal”, whatever that may be. From 12:30 to 2 they are doing 2 for 1 meals. After than, from 2-4:30, get a “free snack” and lastly from 5 to 7 get half priced “bowls and salads.” According to their general franchise menu, it looks like a lot of salads, wraps, and rice bowls.

And until the 28th they are offering the following specials:

• Thursday, Jan. 20th : 2 for 1 bowls
• Friday, Jan. 21st : 2 for 1 wraps
• Saturday, Jan. 22nd : Free snack with any meal
• Monday, Jan. 24th : ½ off breakfast total
• Tuesday, Jan. 25th : Free side of soup with any meal
• Wednesday, Jan. 26th : 2 for 1 bowls
• Thursday, Jan. 27th : 2 for 1 wraps
• Friday Jan. 28th : Free snack with any meal

Let me know about what the “free meal” or “free snack” actually are.

Today is an exciting day, first and most importantly we are celebrating the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I am about to head out for a day of service in North Philly and hope that those of you who have off from work/school are doing something similar.

Secondly, its our birthday! A year ago today Midtown Lunch Philly was launched. It all started  with my trip to Rangoon. Now here we are, over 300 posts later. It has been a great year exploring the good, the bad, and the fatty of Philly’s lunch scene.

For your viewing pleasure, here is a visual montage of my year in lunches:

Isn’t she a beauty to behold? Or are you a little sick that I have consumed all of that…I know my mother is.

As a birthday present to ML Philly, it would be awesome to hear everyone’s favorite lunch report from this past year. Thanks so much for reading guys!