Midtown Lunch

Last week we let you know that Crisp had come out with a new sandwich, the Crisp Asia. I’ve often wandered by, wondering if Zach was correct in stating that they have some of the best falafel in the city (Serious Eats says no.)  More often than not, this was after “eating” at Muldoon’s with so much Guinness hamburger in my stomach, I never could stop- that is until they decided to put Mandarian oranges and falafel together, as one, in unity. Crazy talk-I must try it.

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Apparently the Dosa Cart that was spotted on 39th and 7th a few weeks back and then promptly disappeared has moved one avenue East (or maybe it was always on 6th, who knows?) Bionic Bites twittered this photo yesterday, which we are pretty sure is from the NE Corner of 39th and 6th. Any dosa fans out there? Early adopters, let us know how this new cart is in the comments…

Falafel Sandwich from Azuri Cafe (on 51st btw. 9+10th)

Serious Eats: New York posted the results of their big falafel taste off yesterday, and, in what is quite possibly the least surprising win of all time, Taim took home the top prize. I’m not saying they’re wrong, I’m just saying Serious Eats loves Taim, and if Vegas had taken bets on this contest you probably would have had to wager $1,000,000 to win $5 betting on Taim to win this one.  Midtown held its own though… Azuri Cafe (technically out of bounds, on 51st btw. 9+10th, but we’re claiming them as our own!) came in 2nd, Maoz (on 40th & 7th) came in 4th, Pick a Pita (on 8th btw. 39+40th) came in 5th, and Olympic Pita came in 6th.  It’s worth noting that even SENY admits that Taim’s falafel is not perfectly constructed, leaving you with falafel-less bites at the end, which as far as we’re concerned is the biggest sin a falafel sandwich can commit (we’re looking at you Moshe’s!) and where Azuri Cafe excels (seriously, the guy is a falafel maestro with the layering.)  But there’s no shame in 2nd (or 6th for that matter!), and at least they all fared better than Moshe’s, Meze Grill, and Crisp who were all eliminated before the finals.  Check out the complete results here>>

Related:
2009 Readers’ Poll: Best Falafel

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This week’s New York Magazine has a list of the 101 Best Sandwiches in New York City, and while usually these features are just a list of rehashed, “been there, done that” entries, this one has got some great looking Midtown sandwiches we have yet to try. Sure, some ML faves are in there- like the Chacarero Completo from Barros Luco (#97), the Roast pork special at Shorty’s (#85), the Katsu sandwich at Tebaya (#69), the PMB from Sullivan St. Bakery (#53), Banh Mi at Ma Peche (#48), and the Sloppy Bao from Baoguette (#20). But there was also the off our radar Bombay Pav Vada from Sukhadia’s Gokul (#93), the Telera Sandwich from Mangia (#94), Cemita Al Pastor from Tulcingo del Valle (#67), and the Tuna sandwich at Bouchon Bakery (#19). And to finish things off there was highest placing Midtown(ish) sandwich: Duke’s Chicken Churasco from Island Burgers & Shakes at #15.

Agree or disagree, the list should provide at least two weeks worth of lunch ideas for you. See the complete thing here>>

There’ve been one too many fake-outs with the Hallo Berlin cart lately, which has been M.I.A for months now.  You might have noticed the most recent one last week, which had the cart listed as a participant in BKLYN Yard’s “Parked” event in Gowanus yesterday.  Sadly there was no cart… just Hallo Berlin Express set up at a table. We tried to get in to grill them about the whereabouts of the cart , but they were completely swamped with people all day long. Guess we’re not the only ones trying to get our bratwurst fix…

Related:
Is the Hallo Berlin Cart Returning This Fall?

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 Michelle, a Vegetarian who hates tuna fish (natch) but loves mapo tofu without the pork (natch, as well.)

Name: Michelle

Age: 22

Occupation: Crisis Communication

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Alliance Bernstein building on 6th Avenue

Favorite Kind of Food: I love beans and rice, guacamole/avocado and Asian food. I had the greatest dish at China Grill (on 53rd btw. 5+6th): fried rice with avocado salad on top. Sounds wrong, but it was certainly a case of when the sum is greater than its parts. Oh and ma po tofu, sans pork. The best clearly comes from Grand Sichuan, with Wu Liang Ye (on 48th btw. 5+6th) and Szechuan Gourmet (on 56th btw. B’way+8th) coming as runner ups.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Tuna Fish

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Cer te (on 55th btw. 5+6th) is great. Many of the places profiled on Midtown lunch are out of my upperwest midtown reach. But Cer te has lots of choices every day and they make a great taco salad, which I judge by the avocado quotient. Plus, when you order a taco bowl it comes in a cake box. It’s that large. Mee Noodles (on 9th btw. 52+53rd) has great fried rice and scallion pancakes. I have the advantage of living in the neighborhood so I can explore for lunch AND dinner.

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