Midtown Lunch

Get Half Off Ciao Bella Gelato: If you're a fan of the Ciao Bella Gelato shop in Grand Central Terminal, you'll want to get in on this deal.  Get a punch card good for 6 scoops of Ciao Bella gelato for just $10 from Scoop St. (It's also good at the location Downtown, and on the UES.) The punch card is good through November, but you have to buy the deal before the end of this weekend.

Of Course All Those Soup Man Fans Were Tourists!: Yesterday's disappointing re-opening of Soup Kitchen International just another location of the Original Soup Man chain, was a mob scene- and Feast has a great video of the line. (Spoiler: Everybody was from out of town.) They also spoke to Reggie Jackson! (The *real* Reggie Jackson.)

Ichi Umi Buffet Has Reopened: From Lunch'er Wailun: "After being shuttered for weeks, it looks like the Japanese buffet joint Ichi Umi (on 32nd btw. Mad+5th) has reopened." I think a field trip with our competitive eating friends is in order... uh... you know.  To make sure it's still good.

Best Public Spaces to Lunch in NYC: Glad to see so many people jumping on our "lunch is the best meal of all time" bandwagon!  As part of the the whole "Take Back Your Lunch" thing Steven A. Shaw (a former Profiled Midtown Lunch'er) told the NY Post about his 10 favorite spots to eat lunch away from his desk- and more than half of them are in Midtown.

Bill’s Bar & Burger Sneak Peek This Week!?: This just in from a tipster... apparently restaurants have tables set up in the Rock Center plaza and are serving low priced tasting plates (under $10) in honor of restaurant week. Tri Tip Grill, Bill’s Bar & Burger (sneak peek!), Ben & Jerry’s ($1 scoops!), and more. The tables will be set up until about 2:30/3p today, and then again tomorrow and Thursday during lunch.

Free French Fry and Soft Serve Alert: Some good stuff on the ML Twitter Tracker this morning... bring this coupon to Goodburger, and get a free order of fries with any combo. Also, Schnitzel is on 46th, Rickshaw is on 52nd, Frites N Meats is on 48th, Wafels is on 52nd, it's calzone Tuesday at Papa Perrone, and Go Go Curry reminds you they deliver. Also, like us on Facebook for a special free soft serve alert.

Original Soup Nazi Location Reopens Today: Just a friendly reminder... Soup Kitchen International, the original home to the Soup Nazi and inspiration for the Original Soup Man chain, will reopen today at Noon on 55th and 8th. We're still not sure if this is going to be the real deal, or just a last ditch effort by a failing chain to garner publicity, but Reggie Jackson being there points to the latter.

No Comme Ci Comme Ca Truck Today: Did you look at the ML Twitter Tracker this morning?  Sadly the new Comme Ci Comme Ca truck is taking the day off, but Cravings is on 48th, Street Sweets is on 46th, Cupcake Stop is on 52nd, and since it's Monday hopefully the new $1 pizza truck will be in Midtown (although at the time of this posting they still haven't twittered their location yet.)

Gonzo Spotted in Line For Lunch: Speaking of lines at the Shake Shack- remember that photo we posted yesterday of the wrap around line on 8th Ave in front of the Shack? Did you notice Gonzo from the Muppets waiting in line!?  This guy did. So great...

Follow the Rules or No Soup For You!: The WSJ reports that when Soup Kitchen International returns to Midtown West this month, the crazy rules popularized by Seinfeld will be enforced... although sadly it doesn't sound like the Soup Nazi himself will be present too often (that is unless he decides to accept one of the reality TV show offers on his plate.)  [via Grub Street]