Midtown Lunch

Two times in the past week when I’ve been near Broad St. between S. William and Beaver, I’ve spotted the bright yellow Sunrise Grill truck parked on that block. They have Caribbean food, of the usual protein + rice and peas offerings, plus patties. I ate there once when they were parking on the other side of Water St., and it was OK. The last time I walked by, Nio’s Trinidad Roti truck was literally parked in front of Sunrise Grill. No word on if there was any beef about this parking situation.

I was in the upper part of Tribeca recently on the hunt for lunch. When I passed by Los Americanos at Church & Walker streets (where Pane Panelle once was), I took a look at the menu and saw they had one sandwich and a few other items for $10 or less. Those other items included tacos, pupusas, empanadas and arepas. How could I pass up an arepa in Tribeca?

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• More lunch options could come to All Good Things. [Tribeca Citizen]
• A rundown of some lunch-only offerings, including Rubirosa. [Grub St.]
• Basil seed drink + banh mi = lunch of champions. [Eating in Translation]
• What it’s like to volunteer at the Vendy’s (and how to be one). [SENY]
• And speaking of…Vendy Cup finalists were announced! [ML]

The last time we checked in with A-Pou’s Taste cart they were still at their spot on Liberty St. & Broadway. One Citi Bike station and a couple of failed spots later, the cart is trying to put down roots on William St. between Maiden Lane & John St. in between Biryani House and Halal Gyro Express carts. As I walked up to the cart to ask if they were planning to park in that spot long term (they are), I noticed there were a couple of new dishes being advertised including a pork chop over rice and shrimp fried rice for $6 each. I’ve generally enjoyed everything I’ve eaten from this cart, but I’d have to say the fried rice may be a weak link.

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The newest addition to the genre of lunch spots serving many different types of things and having a by-the-pound buffet is Open Kitchen on William St. (at Beaver). The place occupies a huge retail area on the bottom floor of the William Beaver House condo building, and it’s perhaps the least-crowded lunch experience I’ve had.

Not all of the stations were up and running (still to come: Stir fry, ramen and specialty sandwiches), but most others were, along with the buffet which featured items that looked a bit tastier than the usual offerings. Prices are a bit higher than at the generic delis in the area, but the surroundings are also nicer, and they serve fancy Intelligentsia coffee. The good and bad about my lunch experience on what was essentially Open Kitchen’s opening day, straight ahead.

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This may be an exaggeration, but it seems like every week or two another place selling juices/smoothies/frozen yogurt/of the above opens or is coming soon to the Financial District. This week it’s the Elixir Juice Bar on Nassau St. between John & Fulton, opening in the spot that was formerly an Energy Kitchen. No word on why that place closed up, or if it’s being opened by the same people.

The strange assortment of foods offered at Roll and Go on Fulton St. has expanded to include bubble tea, according to a banner affixed to the window. You’re going to have to pay more than $1 for the drink (it looks like the price is between $3 and $4 depending on type), but it’s sure to complement your cheap slice of pizza or bargain basement rotisserie chicken.