Midtown Lunch

Oh how those fashion people love to eat!  Fashion Week is invading Bryant Park all week long, so to be a welcoming neighbor, I’ve decided to recommend some quick and cheap places to eat between fashion shows.  Now admittedly, I know nothing about fashion week, or the people who attend, or about the fashion industry in general… but how much different from you and I could these people possibly be.  I like food.  They must like food (who woudn’t, right?).  I’m a fat man.  They all think they’re fat.

Despite the gigantic tent taking up most of Bryant Park, ‘wichcraft is in fact open to the public.  The sandwich kiosk is just outside the northwest corner of the tent, and the soup and online order pick-up kiosk is just outside the southwest corner of the tent.  This would seem like the obvious choice for a reasonably cheap, and good meal for anybody attending one of the Fashion Week events…  after all ‘wichcraft could be considered the couture of midtown lunch sandwich shops (I don’t even know what that means- but it sounded pretty good right?). 

Because of its location, I’m guessing the lines will be long- and I’m not quite sure if the ‘wichcraft online ordering system works on Sidekicks, so… here’s some suggestions for food that will clearly show how little I know about people who attend fashion week.

The list of suggestions… and the first Midtown Lunch Photo Challenge- after the jump…

1. The Chicken & Rice Cart (SE Corner of 43rd & 6th).  I don’t think the rice is brown (that’s what models eat, right?), but this place is still good!  Actually, I can’t imagine anybody with any fashion sense eating at this cart… but it’s the best street meat you’ll find in the area.  (Apparently they do have brown rice!)
2. Fashion Soup(41st btw. 6+B’way).  It’s a no brainer just for the name alone.  Not sure why it’s called that though.  It’s not hip or fashionable in any way (sort of the same way that Dress Barn isn’t really in a Barn.)  Despite the name that makes no sense, the soups are made fresh daily and can be ordered as a combo with a half sandwich, quesadilla or one of their delicious empanadas. (Full review coming tomorrow)
3. Cafe Duke (41st btw. 6+B’way).  The original location of the “deli” I love on 51st btw. 6+7th.  It’s not as nice, and they don’t have the bulgogi, but the made to order Pad Thai looks pretty good, and their pre-made sushi to go looked fresh.  Plus they’ve got the requisite salad bar, pre made sandwiches, and a buffet by the pound.
4. Cafe Zaiya or Chiyoda (41st btw. 5+Mad).  These places I think people attending Fashion week will actually like.  For onigiri (rice balls), bento boxes and Japanese pastries, check out Cafe Zaiya.  If it’s too hectic, or you’re looking for a place that specializes more in sushi, there’s always Chiyoda Sushi right next door.

I doubt many of the people attending fashion week events read this blog, and even if they did, I would hope their company expense accounts would save them from eating at one of my cheapo recommendations… but I hope I’m wrong- because I’d kill for a picture of someone carrying a bag of fashion week freebies, eating at the chicken and rice cart.  I know there’s a lot of photographers wandering around Midtown this week- so if you see it, please take a picture and email it to me.  I don’t really have anything to give away, except gratitude- not just from me, but everyone who eats in Midtown… because we all want to be able to say “Our lunches can’t be that disgusting… once I saw a supermodel eating the same thing!”