Archive for June 2013

Downtown Links (The “Chick-fil-A Rumors Are Flying” Edition)

macaron

Not as hyped as the cronut: Still delicious. Via SENY.

  • Whoa: Is Chick-fil-A coming downtown? [Grub St.]
  • Nolita has a gelato shop with a Brazilian twist. [Diner’s Journal]
  • A guide to Francois Payard’s macaron ice cream creations. [SENY]
  • Whole Foods gets in on the mobile food craze. [Tribeca Citizen]

A Funky Lemongrass Shrimp Salad At Mooncake Foods

There’s one thing you’re probably not going to find at one of the salad chains: Lettuce tossed with a dressing tasting strongly of fish sauce.

That’s what I like about Mooncake Foods (Multiple Locations) – that you can order something like a salad, and be surprised at the flavors you get, and likely for less than at a chain place.

It’s been hot out lately, and thus, I’ve had to rethink what I eat for lunch as slamming a giant burger or meaty sandwich doesn’t sound too awesome when it’s 90 degrees. Thus, the Asian salad comes into play as you can often get filled up, and for less than $10.  Read more »

Australian-Style Coffee, Snacks Coming To Broad St.

We got a serious coffee shop in the Financial District when Blue Spoon opened on William St., but those of you in the bottom part of the neighborhood have mostly had to settle for the chain places.

Word is that Bluestone Lane Coffee will bring Australian-style caffeinated beverages and food to 30 Broad St. in August or early September after opening a first location in Midtown East. The company will carry a rotating variety of roasters and teas, along with snacks from Balthazar, Bondi Bikkies (Aussie style cookies) and Downtown Cookie Company, as well as something called the “signature house-made avocado smash.” Personally, I’m in favor of any coffee source that doesn’t end in “bucks.”

Going Indian For The Win At French Cafe Gourmand

I’ve had nothing but hits with the sandwiches at French Cafe Gourmand on Maiden Lane (btw. Broadway & Nassau) and the other day when pressed for time I stopped by again to sample another of their creations that one of you Lunch’ers had recommended.

That would be for the Indian sandwich, aka, the French version of a chicken curry sandwich. It is delicious.

Read more »

Sweet Chili Truck Debuts Downtown, Touts Top Chef Alum

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If you are a fan of several kinds of Asian food jumbled into one, this truck’s for you. Sweet Chili NYC hit the streets at the beginning of the week in Midtown, serving protein + salad + rice plates with influences of Thai, Vietnamese and other Asian foods. The chef on board is a Top Chef finalist from season 4, if that means anything to you, and according to their Web site, all of the plates contain something “sweet, spicy, salty…and crunchy.”

According to their online schedule, the location today is to be decided, and they’ll be at the World Financial Center at S. End and Liberty on Thursday, and parking on Varick at Grand Friday.

Liberty St. Vendors Lose Bid To Get Citi Bike Rack Moved

bike rack
Three months ago a handful of food carts at Liberty St. & Broadway in the Financial District came to park on a Monday morning and found a long Citi Bike docking station in their spots. The Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center was fighting on the vendors’ behalf, but the Department of Transportation will not be moving the rack.

The affected carts have found new spots that are in some cases less visible than at the large plaza on Broadway between Liberty and Cedar streets. Biryani House moved across the plaza, while the smoothie cart, 99% Vegetarian, A-Pou’s Taste, Luckyim Thai and the new Cocina Mexicana relocated around the corner on Nassau St. Hopefully they will get to stay at the new location.

First Look: Dough Re Mi Brings Every Kind Of Grilled Cheese You Can Imagine

Do you like fancy grilled cheese sandwiches? Too tired of waiting for Gorilla Cheese or Milk Truck to make their stops in the Financial District?

Dough Re Mi, which opened last week on Water St. (btw. Broad & Coenties Slip), will make your cheese and bread dreams come true. The only thing that may give you pause, as it sometimes does at the trucks devoted to grilled cheese, is that you can spend $10 on a single small sandwich.  Read more »