Archive for May 2014

Jacques Torres Pops Up in Grand Central (Cafe Grumpy Coming Soon)

We got word that a pop-up location of chocolate maker Jacques Torres was opening yesterday in the Lexington Passage of Grand Central Terminal. For whatever reason, the shop had an “opening soon” sign on the door late in the day, but the inside looked ready to go- so we’re assuming they’re open today. The pop-up will be open throughout May, then closed for renovation until August when the space will reopen as a permanent fixture.

But wait, there’s more!  Read more »

Today, 50 People Will Get Ramen and a Beer For $3 at HinoMaru Lucky Cat

Lucky Cat (on 53rd btw. 2+3rd) is now known as HinoMaru Lucky Cat and they’re starting an INSANE ramen special today that’s going for the entire month of may.  Every Tuesday from Noon-1pm,  the first 50 customers will get a bowl of their shoyu ramen plus an Asahi beer for a whopping $3 bucks. Love ramen? Love beer? Love saving money? This one’s for you. I can’t even imagine how early you’ll have to get there to be one of lucky top 50.  Those brave enough to check it out, let us know how it is in the comments!

HinoMaru Lucky Cat, 232 E 53rd St. (btw 2+3rd)

Celebrate Go Go Curry’s Birthday With $5 Curry

Cinco de Mayo is a big deal for a lot of people, but here at Midtown Lunch it means just one thing… Go Go Curry’s Birthday! And to celebrate you’ll be able to get one single size medium curry for $5 all day long, plus 5 toppings coupons.  Enjoy!

Go Go Curry, 273 W 38th St. (nr 8th Ave). 212-730-5555

Flatiron Lunch News: Cafe el Presidente Opens and Mad. Sq. Eats Returns

Every Friday we go 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.

Earlier this week, Cafe el Presidente opened to the public. In theory, they are open from 7am to midnight, but when I walked by the other morning, it was completely empty other than a few kitchen staff and their website currently seems to indicate they are only open for dinner now. You might have noticed, they have been getting a ton of press (here, here and here.) I am happy to have a place to buy fresh tortillas and some Mexican groceries and grab a drink and taco after work in the neighborhood, but I am having trouble wrapping my head around the menu and prices. The meat dishes that come in a platter of four make-your-own-tacos range in price from $11.95 to $14.95 (to market price), which is reasonable. But the pastor with queso single taco is $7.95. Either way, I think we are going to have to all agree to not judge these prices against a Queens taco cart. But I like their attempts at authenticity compared to all of the “$5 Nacho” Mexican take-out spots in the neighborhood.

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Blue Olive’s Liquid Nitrogen Fro Yo is Mostly Just A Gimmick

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I read on Serious Eats that a gourmet market near Grand Central was doing the unthinkable: making frozen Greek yogurt with liquid nitrogen. That sort of high-tech sciencey stuff is usually reserved for molecular gastronomy restaurants – certainly not at gourmet bodegas. Blue Olive Market is a Mediterranean foodshop that just opened late last year and had not been on my radar. It looks like they sell interesting sandwiches for under $10 (like fennel salami or black angus meatballs) and Greek specialties. There’s also a small dining area and lots of specialty products for sale.

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