Midtown Lunch

The pop up version of Ma Peche in the Chambers Hotel (on 56th btw. 5+6th) has just added an online ordering system for take out. Only 3 of the $10 Midtown Lunch specials are available right now, and it’s pick up only, but for those of us who didn’t feel like eating our banh mi in a hotel lobby (or waiting for a table during peak lunch hours) this is great news. UPDATE IN THE COMMENTS: “You need to order by 11am for same day lunch pick-up”  [via Eater]

Remember that new Union Square California style burrito spot you guys went crazy for in the forums a few months ago?  Well, I was treated to a fine lunch there by Ed Levine last week and today he reviewed the place over on Serious Eats: New York. He was a big fan of the quesadillas, and preferred the chicken and steak over the carnitas (which he thought was dry.)  I can’t speak for anything else on the menu, but I actually enjoyed my carnitas burrito more than any other carnitas burrito I’ve ever had in NYC (although I admit that is not saying much.)  They don’t off all the different ingredients properly (beans, meat, pico de gallo) so the integrity of the burrito was severely compromised after a few bites (very disappointing), but I thought the taste was there.  Regardless of its faults, the choice between hopping on the Q train or going to Chipotle is no choice at all.  (And Serious Eats agrees… they did a side by side Chipotle taste test and Dos Toros easily won.)

I haven’t had a chance to check out either of the two new Financier Patisserie locations (there is now one in Grand Central, and another in the walkway beneath the Fox News Building) but this might speed things up… a pistachio eclair, filled with pistachio cream. Oh my.

Got this email from Profiled Midtown Lunch’er Jenn today, and it started me thinking what other weird lunchtime treats are people hiding in their desk drawers.

Since the word is out on your LA departure, I thought I’d take this opportunity to impart to you my Midtown Lunch Secret of Shame. A few things you should know first:

1. My midtown office only has 3 people (including myself) in it.
2. My desk is partially blocked from view by a semi-wall.
3. I really really love sardines and other varieties of stinky canned fish.

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I fully admit how wrong it is that I’ve never given Bella Napoli (on 49th btw. 6+7th) a proper Midtown Lunch +/-. I think I’m unfairly prejudiced against it because I used to work in the McGraw Hill Building, and it was a go-to spot for so many of my lazy co-workers. But truthfully, if it was anywhere else I would have entered it into the ML canon long ago. I’ve always liked their cheese pizza, and the one meatball parm hero I had there (almost 4 years ago) put me out of commission for the rest of the work day (always a good thing right?) And when I walked by today I noticed a new sandwich board with “specials”. Not sure if these are actually “new” but $6 for any pasta dish!? Looks like I might have to hit this place up again. Has anybody tried any of their specials?

Bella Napoli, 150 W. 49th St. (btw. 6+7th) 212-719-2819

Every Tuesday I turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Anthony, an IT man who wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.

Name: Anthony

Age: 23

Occupation: IT Manager

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 40th between 5th and 6th

Favorite Kind of Food: Indian / Spanish. Anything spicy.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Chipotle

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Chicken and lamb over basmati rice with extra white and hot from Adham’s (on 40th & 7th), Margon on 46th btw. 5+6th (Cubans are amazing) also all of their daily hot dishes are great, and Abitino’s (on 40th and 7th) has a good spinach slice

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Another day… another Chipotle knock off.  Oaxaca Grill, whose sign appeared a few weeks ago on 47th btw. Park+Lex, is hoping to open in just a few weeks and their menu is unsurprisingly similar to Chipotle (down to the insane calorie ranges!) There are a few notable differences though.  Clearly Oaxaca is slightly more upscale, with options like filet mignon and beef brisket.  They also have two pork options (grilled and pulled), and offer a mini burrito (10″ tortilla, instead of 12″) for those who find a full size burrito too much.  (Who are these crazy people!?!)

Check out the menu for yourself after the jump…

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So I wanted to let you guys know that the rumors are true. I am moving to Los Angeles at the end of the month. But don’t worry, Midtown Lunch as you know it isn’t going anywhere. Much more on that once everything is finalized… but the more pertinent news is that we’ll be expanding to cover Downtown and Philadelphia full time at the end of this week (with one familiar face.) And, in a move that should surprise nobody, starting next month I’ll begin eating my way through the amazing Los Angeles lunch and street food scene for your viewing pleasure. (Although I will say here and now, even in L.A., the no salad rule still stands!)

More on all of these new developments coming soon…