Midtown Lunch

Since Bill’s Bar & Burger opened in the Meatpacking District late last year, I was under the impression that it was meant to compete with Shake Shack. I can’t speak to the original location, but after eating at the new Rockefeller Center location (51st btw. 5+6th), I can tell you that Shack Shack has nothing to worry about. This comparison isn’t about the quality of the food (we’ll get there), it’s just that Bill’s offers a completely different experience.

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Good news for Sophie’s Cuban fans who work in the heart of Midtown. Construction has started on a new Sophie’s outpost at 45th st. between 5th and 6th Ave (next to Goodburger.) We’re hearing that the plan is to open in October, and Sophie’s feels a lot more confident about this spot than the ill fated 41st Street branch that closed almost two years ago. Looks like Margon and Cafe Cello are about to get their toughest competition yet. ¡Viva la Selección!

A few weeks ago when we reviewed Boki, the new Korean food cart on 5th Ave. near the 32nd Street strip of Koreatown, we found that the dumplings weren’t so great and the fried chicken, though tasty, didn’t live up to the name “Korean Fried Chicken.” Well, last week Luncher ‘Pink’ chimed in to let us know that the fried chicken and dumplings were gone, and the folks at Boki confirmed that “after a couple of weeks of trial and error, we took the chicken and dumplings off our menu.” They went on to say that they are continuing to update the menu over time and that they love the feedback.

In the name of research, I decided to stop in again to see what options have replaced the outgoing ones.

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• What do you eat for lunch when it’s rainy out? [Midtown Eating]
• Anybody know where to get kimchi pizza? [Midtown Eating]
• Surprise! Blimpie’s is super clean [Midtown Eating]
• Sophie’s Cuban coming to 45th street? [Midtown Eating]

Last week marked the beginning of fall and for those of you who follow the ice cream truck trade, that means that fewer and fewer trucks are on the road these days. While the last official day of the season isn’t until October 31st, it’s pretty much going to depend on the weather; about 1/2 of the regular trucks (both Softee and non branded white trucks) have already stopped for the season. Miss Softee is still out there (when it’s not raining!) and is currently running an ice cream contest. Want free ice cream? Details after the jump.

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If there was any doubt that the new Bill’s Bar & Burger (on 51st btw. 6+7th) would have any trouble filling up their new mammoth Rock Center location, you can put those questions to rest. (Of course the rain probably doesn’t hurt.) There’s a wait for tables but it’s not too bad (aka it’s crowded but not insane.) Customers all seem to be in a pretty good mood. I was able to walk right in and grab a seat at the bar (it was the only one available.) Food came about 12 minutes after I ordered it. Not bad at all for a first day…