Midtown Lunch

At least it’s real food

• Zach explains why he doesn’t actively hate Chipotle anymore [ML: Los Angeles]
• Ramen Totto, Pure Thai Shophouse and Inakaya all make good pre-theater options [Fork in the Road]
• Another look at Siam Inn’s lunch specials [Ramen & Friends]
• First look at the Kimchi Taco Truck we told you about last month [Grub Street;TONY]
• Choice Eats tickets go on sale soon [Fork in the Road]

Bombay Deli photo courtesy of Dave Cook from Eating in Translation

• Check out Bombay Deli (a pizza/Indian food combo in the Garment District) [EiT]
• Wichcraft has opened a hot chocolate kiosk in Bryant Park [Grub Street]
• How dare Dean & Deluca run out of romaine lettuce! [Tasty Eating]
• Writer magically stumbles upon our longtime fave the Desi Food Truck [SENY]
• A food truck owner finally admits that a brick and mortars are easier [Zagat via Eater]
• Midtown Lunch week closes with a profile of Zach [Immaculate Infatuation]

All I Want For X-Mas is Some Crispy Pork Belly. Photo by Eat to Blog.

• Here’s a pretty thorough guide to Fuji Bakery’s lunch specials [Eat to Blog]
• Our old friend Danny likes Qdoba better than Chipotle [Food in Mouth]
• Sunrise Mart serves pastries from Panya, and a very authentic Tokyo style soba [Ramen and Friends]
• Hickey’s has closed down for good [EVGrieve via Eater]
• Neither Shake Shack nor Schnipper’s is afraid of The Counter [Diner’s Journal]
• Libretto’s Pizzeria on 3rd Ave is just OK [Slice]
• Curious what Jamie and Zach want for Christmas?  [iVillage]

Photo courtesy of High/Low/Food/Drink

• Check out the gingerbread houses in the Parker Meridian, and support a good cause [High Low Food Drink]
• 2 of the 12 most teched out restaurants in the world are in Midtown [Zagat]
• Slice finds Jiannetto’s sauce candy sweet and slightly ketchupy [Slice]
• Who orders a tofu salad at Bon Chon!? [Ramen and Friends]
• The burger at Astro is juicy, but expensive [Feisty Foodie]
• The green chile burger at Schnipper’s is quality [Burger Conquest]
• The Treats Truck is now serving pumpkin cake [Tasty Eating]

Taim Mobile’s Split Pea Soup. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Marx/FitR

• Not surprisingly, Taim Mobile’s split pea soup is a winner [Fork in the Road]
• Food Exchange makes a great lentil soup.  Who knew?! [Food Mayhem]
• Park Italian is a little skimpy with their proscuitto [Tasty Eating]
• IHOP is coming to Times Square [Eater]
• The egg wrap special from the Bap Cha cart is enjoyable [Ramen & Friends]
• Sweetery’s croissant and quiche are great. Brioche and flourless chocolate cookie? Not so much [SENY]
• Why are tourists the only people eating hot chestnuts!? [Gothamist]

Tacos from Korilla BBQ. Photo uploaded to the ML Flickr Pool by CarbZombie.

• It sounds like Taim Mobile had a great first day in Midtown… [Twitter]
• … the wait was short at first, but by the middle of lunch it was over 30 minutes long [The Feast]
• Cool Hunting has created a brooklyn pickle pop up in a Midtown Gap [Grub Street]
• LaFrieda beef spotted at a generic Midtown deli?! [ZagatBuzz]
• A new Bon Chon is coming soon to 2nd Ave. [Grub Street]

Sorry, but this looks way better than turkey. Photo by Wined and Dined

• The name may have changed, but Mono+Mono‘s chicken is still amazing [Wined & Dined]
• The oyster soondubu at BCD Tofu House is great [Bionic Bites]
• Au Bon Pain is now serving cupcakes [NRN via Grub Street]
• The only thing under $10 at the newly open Bowlmor Lanes (in the NYT Bldg) is the shoe rental [Grub Street]

Todd English’s take on Falafel. Photo by Ramen and Friends.

• The Plaza Food Hall serves up a $10 falafel! [Ramen & Friends]
• Black Shack serves a grilled tofu sandwich!? [Fork in the Road]
• Don’t go to Ichi Umi after 2pm [NYC Foodie]
• Out of bounds Tulcingo del Valle makes it onto the list of 10 best Mexican restaurants in NYC [Fork in the Road]
• Taim Falafel Truck launches on the 29th, but nobody knows where [Grub Street]
• A Midtown Chef was fired for allegedly making a KKK joke on Halloween [NYDN]

Curry and Curry on 33rd btw. Lex+3rd

• This curry crawl starts in Midtown East [Fork in the Road]
• Mexice is not spicy (or Mexican) enough [Serious Eats: NY]
• It’s hard not to like the rice krispie treats from the Treats Truck [Tasty Eating]
• NYC Cravings is salty, but if you want Taiwanese food it’s all we’ve got [Ramen & Friends]
• Is there a better Midtown splurge than Keen’s? [Fork in the Road]

Photo courtesy of Dessert Buzz

• Wow to chocolate malt cake balls from Ma Peche’s MilkBar [Dessert Buzz]
• The cafe in FAO Schwartz sells Doughnut Plant donuts [Grub Street]
• Salt & Peppers serves up a tender plate of tripe [Eat to Blog]
• Chipotle is developing an Asian fast food concept [NRN]