Midtown Lunch

Yup… that’s Hoda.

Today is the first day of the annual summer Rock Center Farmer’s Market. As in years past you can find them set up at the North Plaza, Rockefeller Place at 50th Street every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from now through September 3rd. The vendors vary each day so I’ve put together a little guide to some of my favorites.
Read more »

• Meru, from the Biriyani Cart, should be back this week [Midtown Eating]
• Looking for a mid-range sushi option in Midtown East [Midtown Eating]
• What does your co-worker have against fried pork?! [Miscellaneous]
• New York was snubbed by stupid street food list [Miscellaneous]

Thanks to Lunch’er Dave for passing along this one… yesterday, the brand new “Mexicue” Truck hit the streets selling a fusion of Mexican food and BBQ (think burnt ends in a Mexican rub, topped with an arbol BBQ sauce, and habanero salsa.) Yesterday they were in the Flatiron (on 25th and Park), and today they parked on 40th btw. 5+6th. We’ve got some pretty decent Mexican food in Midtown, and there’s the Daisy May’s Cart (on 49th 50th btw. 6+7th) when you’re craving that BBQ fix. But combined? This could be a game changer. The menu looks pretty great to say the least… and these press photos on Flickr, are, well… press-y. But they give you a pretty looking idea of what you’re getting. (Thanks to the forums for that link!) We will definitely be hitting this up soon, and early adopters should let us all know how it is in the comments. They’re already sold out for today, but to follow them in the future here’s their website, Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Every Tuesday we 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 Sarah, an actress who likes her steak to still be moo’ing and is looking for a good guac.

Name: Sarah

Age: 26

Occupation: Actress/Blogger

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Auditions are as far north as 54th and 8th or as far south as 36th and 8th-so I have covered a lot of ground of midtown west in the four years I have lived here!

Favorite Kind of Food: Kimchee, sourdough bread, fried mandoo, VERY rare steak (still mooing, please), french fries, anything spicy enough to make my lips blister, bone marrow, foie gras, guacamole, the sourdough bacon burger from Jack in the Box, chili cheese Fritos, and nutella…YES NUTELLA!

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Okra. I can’t get past the slime factor. And Jello. A dessert should not be see through, and that’s just the way I feel.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Pick-A- Pita (on 8th btw. 39+40th) for some french fry stuffed falafel sandwiches, Baja Fresh (on 41st and B’way) for the steak quesadilla and the unlimited salsa bar, Woorjip‘s kimchee soup and fried mandoo (on 32nd btw. B’way+5th), the Pad Kee Mao at Pam Real Thai (on 49th btw. 9+10th), Sloppy Fries at Schnipper’s Quality Kitchen (on 41st and 8th), and absolutely anything on the menu at Xie Xie (on 9th btw. 45+46th) as long as you get the 1,000 year old ice cream sandwich for dessert. To misquote John Mayer, it is Gustatory Napalm. For reals.

Read more »

Press releases from chains typically go right to the trash folder here at Midtown Lunch (unless free food is involved), but one from Rock Center Concourse darling Tri Tip Grill piqued our interest. On Tuesdays the restaurant is running a summer promotion- for $19.99 you get a whole “char-roasted tri tip” and an XL size of Red Mashers. The release claimed it feeds 5-6 people, and clearly this deal had to be put to the test.

Read more »

Even though the El Rey del Sabor carts came out with their three chalupa special late last fall, I completely forgot about them. The location closest to my work (on 49th and Park Avenue) didn’t have any signs up for it and it wasn’t on their regular menu. Well, there’s a pretty legit looking sign up now, and even though the price has gone up a buck I had to try them.

Read more »

T-Minus 13 days to social media topped doughnut shaped hamburger craziness, stuffed with a healthy serving of twitterrhea. Can’t wait!