Midtown Lunch

There’s a sign outside of Soma By Nature on William (btw. John & Fulton) that I always pass by but have never investigated. That would be the $5.95 lunch specials that include curry chicken, ma po tofu, udon soup and japchae. Considering that most things there are $8 or more I feel like this is a pretty good deal, but do you get enough food to fill you up or do they stiff you in the name of a bargain? That’s what I headed inside to find out.

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Just in case  you didn’t make it to the 2011 Vendy Awards that took place Saturday on Governor’s Island, there’s a lot to recap from the afternoon of standing in line, regretting eating that second ice cream cone from the Miss Softee truck, and then staggering back to the ferry. Three vendors from downtown were finalists in two different categories and I’m happy to say two of them took home an award, including Souvlaki GR. As you can see above, they were pretty happy about winning the People’s Taste Award. A recap of the winners in other categories, and some photos of the many, many plates of food that made it into my hands straight ahead.

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Beef + kimchi is a winning combo. Courtesy of Lunch Studio.

• Asiadog‘s burger looks as good as their hot dogs. [Lunch Studio]
• I wonder how much of this porchetta can be eaten in one sitting? [Fork in the Road]
• In case you missed it, old-school pizza place Ray’s in Soho is closing. [NYT]
• You can get a Chinese cheesesteak for $3.75. [Serious Eats NY]
• The Pump Energy Food is changing its name, but will meatheads still eat there? [Crain’s]

There are the fancy parts of Tribeca, and then there are the parts on both the extreme lower and upper reaches of the neighborhood that are a little dirty and contain some eating and drinking gems. Located on the corner of Lispenard and 6th Ave., Nancy Whiskey Pub is one of those places and while based on the crowd there during the noon hour on a weekday many people are here for alcohol, they also serve a menu where basically everything is less than $10. Or you can splurge and get a large pizza for $12.50.

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