Midtown Lunch

Smoked Salmon Sandwich from Bouchon Bakery. Photo courtesy of SENY

• Bouchon Bakery’s smoked salmon sandwich is a great splurge [SENY]
• Chipotle plans to raise their prices on the East Coast [Eater LA]
• Bian Dang is the best Asian food truck in the country! [MochiMag via GS]
• Is Shake Shack spying on Schnipper’s? [Eater]
• Ali Baba makes a tasty kofte sandwich [SENY]
• Coolhaus and Korilla are going on a college tour [Eater]
• Flip Burger in Bloomingdale’s is terrible [NYC Foodie Girl]
• Cafe Zaiya’s chicken sandwich is one reason to love NYC [Food in Mouth]
• Mia Dona appears to be closed for good [Eater]
• The steak sandwich at AJ Maxwell’s might not be good anymore [Tasty Eating]
• If you’re looking for a real splurge, Tenpenny is a hidden gem [ImmacuateInfat]
• A history of food trucks in photos [Flavorwire]

Earlier today Ultraclay gave you a run down of the lunch options at Madison Square Eats (on 5th btw. 24+25th).  But did you know it’s also the perfect place for an after work happy hour?  When I was working there on Monday night, I noticed a LOT of people walking around with beer and realized that there’s really only one other place in the area, Shake Shack, where one could sit outside enjoying the nice Indian Summer weather during dinner and some after-work drinks, without spending a small fortune. As soon as I got the time to check out the beer scene, I jumped at the chance, and I believe we have a moderately legitimate happy hour spot for the next few weeks.

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Schnitzel & Things just announced that they finally got their beer and wine license for the shop (on 3rd btw 45+46th)! Word is they’re finalizing a beer menu and some hearty new menu items that will go with the brews.  The beer and new food probably won’t get added until next week, but  according to their Twitter feed they will be giving out free samples of three sausages they are testing out (knockwurst, bratwurst, and bratwurst stuffed with cheese) starting at 11:30 at the storefront. They’ll also have a limited supply of chicken schnitzel stuffed with either Swiss or cheddar cheese. With all this greasy decadence, it will be hard to resist a beer. Glad they’re finally going to make it happen.  We know where happy hour is going to be next week…

Every Friday our man UltraClay goes south of the ML boundaries in search of a delicious lunch. Sometimes it’s Murray Hill south or the Flatiron District, sometimes Gramercy and everything in between- but we just like to call it Flatiron Lunch.

Madison Square Eats is back with it’s third month-long stint in Worth Square and I’m pretty excited about it. How could I not be? More that 20 new food stands pop up for a month offering dozens of new dishes to try out. There’s pizza and pretzels and pig face sandwiches, there’s a little something for everyone. Follow the jump for highlights from this season’s market.

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I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not Magnolia Bakery’s biggest fan. I side with Blondie in thinking that they are good for everything but cupcakes. That said I’m sad that September is already coming to a close because I only just discovered that Magnolia is carrying special Peanut Butter Month treats. Read more »

Do you like Bann Next Door, but have always wanted to try Bann?  Well here’s your chance to do it for less.  Today’s Open Table deal gets you $50 worth of food at Bann for just $25.  Sadly it’s not good for lunch or Bann Next Door.  And speaking of Hell’s Kitchen splurges… today’s Google Deal gets you $50 worth of food at Bamboo 52 for $25 as well (the Happy Hour spot where Blondie and Brownie had their 1 year blog-versary.)  Enjoy, you cheap bastards!

Not sure how, but somehow The Rolling Kitchen truck (on 40th btw Park+Lex) has managed to elude our attention!  According to their Twitter they have been around since early July, but if I hadn’t randomly walked down on 40th St yesterday, I still wouldn’t know about this truck. Check out their menu after the jump.

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A couple of days ago while walking down Lexington I noticed in big words “Coming Soon Desi Shack” (on 39th Street). According to their website, they will be offering grilled meats on skewers (and veggie options) to go with rice, salad and paratha. Right now they’re on soft opening mode but plan to officially open on Monday the 3rd. Check out the full menu on their site.

Desi Shack, 331 Lexington Ave at 39th St, 212-867-3374