Midtown Lunch

Do You Look Like Tom Cruise?: Because somebody is "Seeking Tom Cruise look-a-likes to participate in the grand opening of a restaurant in midtown."  Hmmm... we already have a Planet Hollywood. Do you think Times Square is getting a "Cocktails and Dreams"? [via Always Eating]

Great Gathering of Chefs For Charity (and Gourmet): If you love fancy restaurants with big name chefs, and you want to help a good cause (and you've got the cash), you should check out The Fifth Annual Great Gathering of Chefs. It's this Sunday at the Mandarin Oriental in Columbus Circle, and proceeds benefit Action Against Hunger. There will also be a salute to the staff of Gourmet Magazine (all former Midtown Lunchers.) Get all the details here...

Free Gelato Alert: Here's a category of world records I can definitely get behind: Tomorrow (Thursday 10/15) from 11am to 7pm the newly opened Melt Gelato and Crepe Cafe (on 2nd Ave. btw. 55+56th) will be giving away thousands of cups of FREE gelato in an attempt to set a new World Record. (They'll also be taking donations for Breast Cancer research...)

Twitter Tracker: A quick look at the ML Twitter Tracker... Cupcake Stop is on 3rd Ave. (and talking storefront!), Wafels and Dinges is on 52nd, Street Sweets is in front of MOMA until 2:30pm, and Schnitzel Truck is in the Flatiron with chocolate mousse.  Plus, Rickshaw is in Columbus Circle w/ miso soup and Cer Te is reminding everyone about their new tuscan cheesesteak.

Is Midtown Headed Towards Protest?: Yesterday, street vendors is Brooklyn took to the streets to protest against what they are calling "police harassment". According to one vendor who parks on Clarkson Ave. in Flatbush, the cops have been trying to get rid of them ever since a dispute between two vendors ended in a fight last month. That sounds familiar...

Meet Gary V. at Columbus Circle Tonight: Gary Vaynerchuck (the guy I drank wine with at the Kwik Meal Cart on VendrTV) has a new book coming out today that could be called "The Midtown Lunch Story" (it's actually called Crush It: Why Now is the Time to Cash in on Your Passion.)  If you're a fan, he kicks off his book tour tonight at the Columbus Circle Borders.

Late Lunch Mantao Special: Today through Friday you can get 20% off your order at Mantao Chinese Sandwiches just by saying the code word "Ramones" from 3pm to 6pm. I can't wait that long for lunch, but a mantao would make an excellent late afternoon snack. Might as well save a buck...

Get 50% Off at Katsuhama: The original location of Katsuhama (on 47th btw. Mad+5th) is celebrating its 15th anniversary by offering 50% off their 3 lunch specials through Thursday, eat in only, from from 11:30am to 3pm.  That's a delicious high quality pork cutlet lunch for under $6.  Nice. (Deal not available at the new 55th Street location.)

New Rule: You're allowed to spend more than $10 on lunch if you are forced to work on a holiday.  Blood sausage at Gahm Mi Oak ($13.95) here I come!  (Full report coming soon...)

Late Falafel Lunch?: From Crisp's Facebook Page: "Starting Friday, 3 PM to close, stop by Crisp and order any one of our fresh handbag sandwiches and pay only $5! Offer is good from Friday 10/9 to Friday 10/16 3pm to close." Crisp has two locations in Midtown: 3rd Ave. btw. 43+44th and 40th btw. B'way+6th.