Did you get envious reading yesterday’s Serious Eats: New York post about Kung Fu Bing , the latest and strangest development in Chinatown fast food? Fear not. Grub Street is reporting that they have some pretty big ideas for expansion. Specifically 18 stores in New York City, including one in Times Square. Huzzah! (I think…?)
Posted by Zach Brooks at 3:45 pm, August 19th, 2009 under Kung Fu Bing.
Delicious Rock Center Greenmarket Finds: In case you missed it, Blondie and Brownie were all about the Rock Center Greenmarket last week- writing about the Pennsylvania Dutch treats available on Wednesdays and Thursdays,and the Valley Sheperd Creamery gelato available on Fridays.
Posted at 3:00 pm, August 19th, 2009 | 0 Comments
Thanks to Lunch’er Blair for sending in this photo, which confirms the news we reported back in June. Onya, the Japanese udon chain owned by the same company that owns Beard Papa, will be taking over the Cafe Zest space on 47th btw. Lex+3rd. No word on an opening day, but here’s hoping that it isn’t too far off.
Related:
Cafe Zest Space to Become Beard Papa Owned Udon Joint?
Dessert Truck Looks for Storefront Outside Midtown: We should probably give up hope of the Dessert Truck returning to Midtown. Chef Jerome confirms to Fork in the Road that he probably won't try to renew their revoked permit, and instead is looking for a storefront in the LES or Village. Not a surprise. Midtown is expensive, and only seems to attract the touristy crap.
Posted at 1:30 pm, August 19th, 2009 | 3 Comments
When yesterday’s post about the newly opened Meze Grill (on 8th btw. 55+56th) described it as a “Middle Eastern Chipotle” some commenters were quick to point that most authentic falafel and shawarma stands (here and abroad) operate in much the same way a Chipotle does. That is, “you pick Pita or Laffa, choose protein, and pick out of an array of salads and sauces. This is a formula that has existed since the days of wandering in the desert. If anything, Chipotle is a Mexican Meze Grill.”
Right. Except for one thing. Meze Grill goes a little beyond just the “pick your fillings” on a buffet line formula. The metaphor extends not just to the way the place operates, and looks… but also to its core essence. I checked Meze Grill out yesterday, and I think once you do too, you’ll come to the same conclusion: Meze Grill is the Middle Eastern Chipotle.
Posted by Zach Brooks at 11:45 am, August 19th, 2009 under *8th Ave. btw. 55+56th, Falafel, Mezze Grill, Middle Eastern.
Taiwanese Fried Chicken is Back?: After missing two Midtown days in the shop the NYC Cravings Truck is back, and to make up for it they are attempting to park on 48th & 6th. Awhile back Jiannetto's tried parking on that block, and lasted a day or two before being chased away by building security. You might want to follow their Twitter before heading out.
Posted at 11:15 am, August 19th, 2009 | 3 Comments
It looks like Miss Softee, the Queen Frostine Ice Cream Truck driver, was inspired by her ice cream sandwich mash up with the Treats Truck last week. Yesterday was her day off, and she spent it baking. The result? Two specials today, featuring homemade goodies. First, a $6 sundae with a WARM brownie, vanilla ice cream, choc syrup, and a little butterscotch, plus whipped cream (that’s just a model, you can get whatever toppings you want.) The second special is also $6, and features vanilla ice cream topped with a “chilled berry-misu” (whatever that is!) Sounds good. She’ll be parked on 40th St. & 5th Ave. from around 12:30pm until around 6:30pm. After that you can follow her on Twitter, or the Midtown Lunch Twitter Tracker.
Related:
PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er “Chrissy” (aka Miss Softee)
Posted by Zach Brooks at 10:00 am, August 19th, 2009 under Mister Softee, Queens Frostine.
More on This Kolache Thing: If your curiosity was piqued by yesterday's Kolache Mama news, here's a bit more info about these crazy pastries... Eating in Translation wrote about this OG European kolache from the Czech Independence Fair a few years ago, and Lisa the Homesick Texan has this post about the version that has become popular in her home state.
Posted at 9:30 am, August 19th, 2009 | 1 Comment
August is shaping up to be “Crazy New Chains” month. After weeks of being all carts all the time, it looks like Midtown has switched gears. Last week it was the piada, and yesterday we heard about the middle eastern Chipotle, and the kolache. But out of all of those, I think I’m most excited for this latest one… Barros Lucco: a new, Chilean quick service lunch spot taking over the old 99 Miles to Philly location on 52nd and 2nd. That particular out of bounds location seems a tad bit cursed, since it has seen burgers, and philly cheesesteaks fail in succession. But these are Chilean sandwiches! Something you can’t get anywhere else in Midtown.
The menu will not only feature Chilean sandwiches, like the churrasco, and chacarero, but also the completo- a Chilean hot dog topped with mayo and mashed avocado. The owner was born in Chile, and the Barros Luco website links to two posts I wrote about an actual Chilean completo and churrasco, so I have high hopes that this place will be bringing the real deal to Midtown. Want to see what they are supposed to look like? Check it out after the jump.
Posted by Zach Brooks at 8:30 am, August 19th, 2009 under Barros Luco, Chilean, Out of Bounds.
Posted by Zach Brooks at 4:00 pm, August 18th, 2009 under In the Forums.
