Midtown Lunch

This year’s BA Pop Up Cafe, complete with outdoor seating

As anybody who reads this blog on a daily basis knows, I am a fat and cheap bastard. I like my lunch big, gross and inexpensive. But that doesn’t mean I can’t class it up every once in awhile. And when I eat dinner out in NYC I tend to gravitate towards the fancy spots. Basically, what I’m trying to admit is that I’m a famous chef whore. Which makes the annual Bon Appetit Pop Up Cafe for me (and those like me) one of the more exciting events in Midtown Lunch’ing. Every year, for one week we get a chance to eat some fun fast food, made by famous chefs, and it’s all under $10.

The Cafe opened at 11am this morning, and your first look at the food and space is after the jump…

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Plenty has been written about the new Schnitzel & Things Truck here on Midtown Lunch since they first hit the scene a few months ago. We watched their twitter feed for the first month, tracking them all around the city- serving up their Austrian style fried cutlets to every part of the city but ours. Other blogs weighed in while we had to watch from afar waiting for them to finally make it to Midtown. It’s hard to fault the Schnitzel & Things truck though… Midtown is a tough slog, and you’ve got to be prepared. Working out all the kinks in your operation *before* attempting to serve your food to the hordes of hungry Midtown Lunchers is a sound strategy.

When they finally hit Midtown a few weeks ago, they faced the same issues all vendors face: finding a legal spot to vend where they wouldn’t be accosted by cops, businesses and other vendors. It took a little bit of time, but it seems like everything has been worked out and they’re settling into Midtown on Mondays at 52nd btw. 6+7th and Tuesdays at 48th btw. Lex+Park (although this week they have a special Tuesday spot for a Vendy Award CBS segment.)

I finally made it out last week to sample their fried cutlet goodness…

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For fancy food enthusiasts and chef stalkers the biggest Midtown Lunching event of the year has finally arrived. The Bon Appetit Pop Up Supper Club and Cafe opens today at 11am, featuring pre made soups, salads, and sandwiches from some of the most famous chefs in the country. It’s basically like the fanciest Midtown deli you’ve ever seen, with daily specials, plus demos and appearances from chefs scattered throughout the week. I’m more about the food than the chefs, but if you’re a fan of Iron Chef Cat Cora, Daniel Boulud, Nate Appleman, Top Chef’s Richard Blais and Fabio Viviani, Gina DePalma or Emeril- they’re all appearing at some point this week. Here’s the complete menu of stuff for sale, plus a list of events/appearances. Also be aware the location has changed from previous years… it’s now on the NW corner of 57th and 6th Ave. Full report coming later today live from the scene. Check out last year’s coverage here.

Related:
BA Supper Club Menu Revealed
This Year’s Bon Appetit Supper Club Will Include Outdoor Seating
Day 1: Lunch at the 2008 Bon Appetit Pop Up Cafe

La Maison du Chocolat. Photo courtesy of Serious Eats: New York

• La Maison du Chocolat’s Ferrer Rocher knock off looks pretty amazing [Serious Eats: New York]
• In Brooklyn a vendor fight ended with one slashing the other with a butcher knife [Gothamist]
• “Tiffin” launches new Indian food delivery service [Grub Street]
• The spicy pork tacos at El Rey del Sabor are the best! [Tasty Eating]
• Your first look at the food at that Vegetarian cart on 52nd [Ramen & Friends]
• More photos of Bobby Flay at carts in Midtown [Vendy Award Facebook]
• I guess nobody in Midtown uses Deliver.com [Wined and Dined]
• If you think this is, like, the best food blog- please let these people know [Foodbuzz]

Our Happy Hour Correspondent Mamacita is sick this week, but this should completely make up for the lack of a boozy potato skin laden review… the International Food House & Buffet (on 35th btw. 7+8th) has started to do a Happy Hour all you can eat buffet for $5.95 PLUS all drinks are only $5.  I’m pretty sure they have a full bar, so this is looking like a pretty sweet place to head after work.  It goes from 5-7pm, and kind of makes up for the fact that now the buffet is by the pound during lunchtime! (They used to be all you can eat, all the time.) Enjoy!

Related:
Economy Claims Another All You Can Eat Buffet
All You Can Eat Meat at the International Food House Restaurant & Buffet

Speaking of vendor issues, if you are a street food lover (or vendor) you should show your support by coming to the Astor Center this Sunday night at 6pm. Sean Basinski (from the Street Vendor Project) will be hosting a street vending panel featuring me, Ed Levine (from Serious Eats), and Kim Ima (from the Treats Truck). Get all the info here>>

Related:
Astor Center to Host Vendy Panel This Sunday

Got a number of tips this morning from lunchers who spotted Bobby Flay visiting Vendy Award nominated carts today.  He started at the Jamaican Dutchy cart this morning around 10am, then moved on to the Biryani Cart, before finishing up at the Wafels and Dinges Cart around Noon.  He was filming a segment about the Vendy Awards for next Friday’s edition of The Early Show on CBS.

Meru (from the Biryani Cart) told me after he didn’t hold back on the spice because he knew Bobby could take it.  Photos of kati rolls being consumed, and fans going crazy… after the jump.

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