Midtown Lunch

Every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Justin, a teriyaki loving sports guy who is very angry he didn’t win the free Glaze for a year contest.

Name: Justin

Age: 24

Occupation: I do a bunch of shit for a sports hospitality company. I blog occasionally too.

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 34th and 8th ave. aka The Netherworlds of Midtown Manhattan aka this neighborhood fucking sucks.

Favorite Kind of Food: An Oreo milkshake or a peanutbutter and chocolate milkshake and a quality teriyaki chicken rice bowl. Sadly I can never find the two together. I either get a solid milkshake and American food or a good ‘yaki bowl and some green tea mochi bullshit they mix with bubble tea. It’s shit like that, that makes me wonder if there is a God.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I guess vegetarian spots. Or anything over $10 for lunch. I’m a pretty cheap guy.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Shorty’s (on 9th btw. 41+42nd) is damn good. I enjoy any meal that shuts down at least two vessels in my heart. Schnipper’s (on 41st and 8th) has one my favorite shakes in NYC, even though it kills me to shell out $7 for it. I also hit 2 Bros up more than I’m willing to admit.

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Every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week we’re super excited to welcome James Oseland, the Editor in Chief of Saveur- the only food magazine I bother having a subscription to. This month’s issue features their annual Saveur 100 List of amazing amazing food finds from all over the world. But for these recommendations we confined James to a much smaller area…

Name: James

Age: 47

Occupation: Editor-in-Chief of Saveur; a judge on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 32nd and Madison

Favorite Kind of Food: Oh my God, um, going to have to make that Foods with an s. Indonesian nasi goreng (fried rice) with sweet soy sauce and crisp-fried shallots; Korean bi bim naengmyun, chilled wheat noodles with Asian pear in hot-sweet-thick dressing; celeri remoulade; warm, whole wheat toast with Marmite and a thin slice of good cheddar cheese.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I swear I don’t have one. (Though the chile-lime plaintain chips from a bodega in Williamsburg that I ate yesterday really were pretty terrible. They tasted like soap.)

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: 1. The bi bim bap at Gahm Mi Oak on 32nd Street is, I think, the best in the city, elegant and soulful and incredibly delicious. (And Gahm Mi Oak’s kimchee is truly to die for…my friend Kelly Choi swears the secret ingredient is a pinch of sugar.) 2. Anything at the always gorgeous and graceful La Grenouille on 52nd Street, anytime. 3. The tiffin set lunch at the almost-Midtown Saravanaas on Lexington at 26th: button-sized idlis drenched in sweet-sour sambar; a delicate dosai; a small portion of upma (a sort of South Indian wheat porridge) studded with curry leaves and cashews. Yum. 4. The pretty takeout bento boxes at Yagura, the Japanese joint on 41st. I worked around the corner from this place years ago, and still hold a soft spot in my heart for their hefty (and very affordable) bento boxes, loaded with lovely grilled mackerel, Japanese pickles, and much more.

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Every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Linda, a food loving diamond agent (!?) who spends a lot of time on 47th street (natch.)

Name: Linda

Age: Loving my 30’s! (That’s all I’m saying)

Occupation: Creator of Agent Diamond, a Personal Shopper for diamond engagement rings & all else shiny. Need help finding food? MTL is the place to go. Need help finding a diamond? Ask me. I promise not to bite :)

Where in Midtown do you Work?: I’m located all over the Diamond District (47th Street between 5th & 6th ). You can also find me twittering & online at www.agentDiamond.com

Favorite Kind of Food: I love them All! Being Asian, I tend to favor this category a slight bit more. Not only do I love the various flavors & textures, but it also warms my soul reminding me of my childhood. (Oh & Cheese! I love anything w/ cheese!)

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Can’t think of anything I don’t like. I’m a foodie & am pretty adventurous when it comes to food. I’ll try anything once. Well, almost anything.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: The Baby Okra/Sultan’s Delight at Akdeniz Turkish Restaurant (on 46th btw. 5+6th), Everything at Café Zaiya (on 41st btw. Mad+5th), The Bahn Mi Sandwiches at Boi Sandwich (on 3rd btw. 44+45th), K-town, Dishes (on 45th btw. Mad+5th)

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Every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Tom, a media consultant with some great street meat recs near Columbus Circle.

Name: Tom

Age: 31

Occupation: Media Consultant

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Frank Magid Associates – Columbus Circle

Favorite Kind of Food: If its good, I like it.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Not a big fan of egg nog.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Honestly, I’m a big fan of the elusive five dollar lunch, so my top choice is the Mexican food cart on the east side of 9th ave between 58th and 59th. I usually go for the Pollo Milanesa torta with salsa verde and jalapenos. Its really awesome. Chicken cutlet, Mexican cheese, refried beans, Mexican pickled carrots, plus the aforementioned condiments. AND ITS ONLY $5! The tacos there are pretty good too. The halal street meet at 8th and 58th is also good. By far the best in the area. And if I’m wandering through k-town, Woorijip is my favorite bet there. Their kimbap is just as good as e-mo but cheaper. If I’m feeling flush and/or wanting to walk further… I like Topaz Thai on 56th between 6th and 7th. I always get the drunken noodles there. Another good noodle spot is MEE on 9th and 53rd. A bit far and pricey, but the sandwich with broccoli rabe, provolone, and steak at Shortys at 42nd and 9th is really mindblowing.

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Every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Steve, an ad man who hates salads and wishes he worked in Chinatown.

Name: Steve

Age: 24

Occupation: Advertising copywriter

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 42nd btw. 2+3rd

Favorite Kind of Food: That’s such a tough question. Id say that it goes in cycles. Right now I’m on a real big asian kick, pho soups, bahn mi, dumplings, and pretty much any meat in a sauce over rice. Im also a sucker for bar food. Nachos, wings, burgers, sliders, you name it, its its greasy or fried usually its for me. Love a good burrito, with fresh guac and sour cream, and salsa.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Salads are usually a no go for me. Why waste space when there are proteins to be had? Im also not a big fan of tofu or the “vegetarian option” that pretends to be a real protein.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: The spicy pork over rice or seafood ramen at Woorijrip (32nd between 5 and 6). Cant beat the daily specials at The Wharf (39 and 3rd): 30 cent wing mondays, dollar taco (fish/beef/chicken) tues/wed and 5.95 mussles fra diablo tues. The XPL that is on the corner 44th and 2nd (Lots of white sauce, dab of hot sauce) or the chicken and rice cart on 40th and 3rd. He surprises me with falafels and french fries in my street meat sometimes. Whatever the daily specials are at The Blarney Stone (45 and 3rd), and I love the Bayou Beast and the Dude slices from Two Boots (Grand central food court). I know its not technically midtown, but Ive waited 2 hours for Shake Shack (in Madison Sq. Park). I don’t regret it.

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Every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Jeanine, a project manager who needs a good Chinese food recommendation.

Name: Jeanine

Age: 38

Occupation: Project Manager for a Magazine/Online Publishing Company

Where in Midtown do you Work?: The Hippodrome Building 6th between 42/43

Favorite Kind of Food: Thin Crust Pizza, Burgers, Mexican Food

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Indian Food, Most Soups, Sandwhiches with Avocodo in them.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Cafe Manhattan on 45th (btw 5+6th) has great pre-made sandwhiches and decent sushi. BXL Belgian Cafe on 43rd (btw 6+B’way) has an amazing Croque Monsiour with fries. Figaro on 44th (btw 5+6th) for their personal pizzas. Baja Fresh over on Broadway (btw 40+41st) for Soft Chicken Tacos (so much better than Chipotle, not sure what the big fuss is!) I also like the Treats Truck when I can catch it on Wednesdays/Fridays.

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Every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Rich, a 26 year old radio guy who wishes he was in L.A. (gee, that sounds familiar!)  To be completely honest, as a longtime radio vet who quit his job to do this craziness full time, I have to say I’m kind of shocked somebody under 30 even knows what “radio” is!

Name: Rich

Age: 26

Occupation: Radio

Where in Midtown do you Work?: 46th and 6th

Favorite Kind of Food: I have an unhealthy obsession with Korean Fried Chicken.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Spent too much time on this question. I don’t think I have one.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Liege with spekaloos and bananas at Wafels and Dinges, Pork Sandwich with spicey mayo and that garlic/ginger relish at Schnitzel n’ Things, Chicken and Lamb over rice at both Kwik Meal (on 45th and 6th) and Famous Halal Guys (on 53rd and 6th), Cuban Sandwich at Margon (on 46th btw. 6+7th), Falafel w/ Hummus at Kosher Deluxe (on 46th btw. 5+6th), Taiwanese Chicken at the Cravings Truck, Fried Whiting at Kim’s Aunt Kitchen (on 46th and 6th), Shack Burger at Shake Shack (on 8th and 44th), both the hot and soy garlic drumsticks at Bonchon….OK, I need to stop typing. I’m getting hungry.

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Every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Jen, an attorney who hates offal but wishes she was eating Japanese balls in the East Village.

Name: Jen

Age: 32

Occupation: Attorney by day / Food blogger by night

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Currently I’ m on Park between 40th and 41st Street. I move around every few months/years. Have also spent a lot of time on 54th St between Lexington and 3rd Ave and 30th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue.

Favorite Kind of Food: Japanese (sushi, ramen & izaykaya), Indian (particularly Southern indian for lunch, dosas and chaats), tacos, dumplings and desserts from all around the world

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Any type of offal. I just can’t do it.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Top favorites, Minar on 31st Street for the samosa chaat or the dosas, Mai Cuisine or Café Zaiya on 41st Street, Kati Roll Company on 39th Street, Menchanko Tei (on 45th btw. Lex+3rd), Mandoo Bar on 32nd Street for kimchi dumplings, or mysterious Korean-Mexican hole in the wall on 29th Street that helped me win tickets to a Citymeals-on-Wheels benefit at Rockefeller Center back in 2009.

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Every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Victoria, an administrative assistant who wishes soul food had more flavor, and is looking to eat more locally sourced foods.

Name: Victoria

Age: Let’s keep things mysterious…

Occupation: Freelance writer/executive assistant

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Brooklyn/51st and Park

Favorite Kind of Food: This is tough. I can’t limit myself: Thai, Indian, Korean, salads, and macro (I shake it up between heavy ethnic foods and fresh/healthy stuff).

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Soul food – I usually find it pretty bland!

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Donburi to-go at Katsuhama/Sushi Tei (on 47th btw. Mad+5th), the buffet at Cafe Bistro.

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Every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week it’s Steve, a $10 salad hating journo who wishes his office moved 10 blocks every year so he could easily sample the other areas of Midtown. He’s also the same Steve that tipped us off the Trini Paki Boys’ jerk chicken yesterday.

Name: Steve

Age: 48

Occupation: Journalist

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Midtown West 40s

Favorite Kind of Food: Szechuan, Cantonese, Asian but NOT “Pan Asian,” haute cuisine, grilled almost anything but splamb

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Most brands of fast food, Tex Mex and other Americanized Mexican, steam table pasta, chicken breast in most of its incarnations

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Hing Won (on 48th btw. 5+6th) is great for lunch – roast pork w/ sour cabbage, fried soba noodles, Malaysian chicken, beef stew w/noodles; Kati rolls at Biryani Cart (on 46th and 6th); Biryani at Trini Paki Boys (ask for extra veg, no salad); Chaats at Bombay Lunch; Cubano at Margon on 45th btw. 6+7th (but man that thing has got some calories); falafel at Kosher Deluxe on 46th btw. 5+6th (w/pickle/salad bar); Jerk at a couple of carts; Kobideh Kabab at Kabab Express (on 55th and 6th)

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