Midtown Lunch

Chick-fil-a has long been high up on the long wishlist of food options that Midtown Lunchers have been clamoring for. With the exception of a sole location in the NYU food court (closed for the summer), the entire city is without the combination of luscious chicken filets wrapped between soft, buttery rolls and topped with a tangy pickle. And if that weren’t bad enough, a couple years ago, the company started making annual trips to our fair city offering their delicious sandwiches for free to the media elites on “Cow Appreciation Day”. It’s so upsetting, we felt the need to issue PSAs warning Lunchers to not get too excited if they saw Chick-fil-a employees wandering around Midtown with giant cases full of southern delights.

Well, Chick Fil A has finally responded to our pain!

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Last month we told you that the “Famous Dal Cart” (discovered by Grub Street in the EV) had to decided to move to Midtown for lunch. It hasn’t been the most consistent cart of all time (one day it’s there, one day it’s not), but they seemed to have settled on the NW corner of 32nd and Park. So I swung by last week to see what they have to offer. Just from the name, Famous Dal Cart, I knew two things before even eating any of their food. First, I should probably try the dal (duh). Second, it’s always good to be weary of restaurants that claim to be “famous” or “best” at something (especially when they’ve been open for less than a month!) In other words, I was keeping my expectations on the low side (but hoping to be pleasantly surprised.)

When I arrived at the Famous Dal Cart, I knew that even if their dal wasn’t good enough to be famous, they would at least win an award for having a festively decorated cart.

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Well before Haru Hana, Izakaya Moku and now Sake Bar Kirakuya started ‘Japanifying’ Koreatown, Arang was offering up a hybrid Japanese/Korean menu. It’s changed a lot since Zach first wrote about its buffet way back in 2006. For a while they closed up the buffet and went lunch-less, but as Zach reported after I wrote about it on my blog, they reopened with full table service and an interesting mix of Korean and Japanese dishes.

Some of my favorite dishes require a slight splurge out of the ML Price range, but there are plenty of great options under $10. Check them out after the jump.

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There were more than a few Anita Lo fans at last year’s Vendy Awards who wondered how the amazing and talented chef (of the newly reopened Anissa) could be behind the just ok food from the Rickshaw Dumpling Truck.  Answer? She’s not… anymore that is.  The Chef told FloFab yesterday that she will not be renewing her contract with the 5 year old company. Eater, for one, is not surprised.  “Her star is rising once again and the dumplings are not exactly the city’s best.” Ouch.  For the record, we’ve always seen the good (and the bad) in Rickshaw.  The ML faithful?  Not so much.

Good news for Bouchon Bakery fans who work closer to Rock Center than to Columbus Circle.  Today the New York ‘Times reported that a new Bouchon Bakery will be taking over the Dean & Deluca that faces the rink in Rock Center. It makes sense, since they have another location right around the corner (on 48th btw. 5+6th).  The new Bouchon Bakery will have outside seating when it’s nice, but no waiter service- and according to the article everything will be made in house.

You’ve only got 30 minutes to score a free People’s Pop (on 47th btw. 2+3rd).  The line is long, but it’s moving quick (about 5 mins to score your free popsicle) and the flavors are blueberry lavender & raspberry peach.  Don’t think you can make it by 1:30pm?  You have an extra 30 minutes to score the free mister softee being handed out on 40th and 2nd (They’ll be there until 2pm.)