Midtown Lunch

I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve walked by Pasha’s street meat cart in front of the Chase Manhattan Building on William St. (btw. Liberty & Cedar). In addition to the street meat, they also sell hamburgers and almost always have a special of curry chicken over rice on tap.

When a hankering for some street meat hit, I decided to finally fulfill my curiosity about how theirs stacks up, and find an interesting cooking method at play at Pasha’s. Let’s just say if you really like white sauce, this is your cart.

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We don’t have much in the way of Vietnamese specialties in the Financial District other than a couple of banh mi sources that also offer serviceable bowls of pho and bun.

Seemingly overnight, Eight Dumpling House morphed into A La Saigon much to the confusion of at least three customers I overheard trying to order their fix of General Tso’s chicken.

What I can report is the $8 lunch special I tried was pretty good, and a welcome counter to all that Americanized Chinese food of fried chicken in gloppy sauces.

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You may remember a couple of weeks ago when we posted about some of the food carts being forced to move from long time spots on Liberty St. at Broadway. The cause was a large Citi Bike station being installed one weekend, the vendors say without their consultation. Some of them have found new, less visible spots around the corner on Nassau St. & Liberty, but I’m sure sales are down somewhat when you’re not seen by the many tourists that walk down Broadway every day.

Want to help these vendors? Find out how after the jump.

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Today Roti Mediterranean Grill officially opens at the corner of Pearl St. & Cedar in the Financial District (their Web site says at 10:30 a.m.), but myself and many other Lunch’ers got a sneak preview on Friday when they were doing staff training.

There was an intimidating line out the door, but it went really quickly which bodes well for opening day. But what about the food? If you want meat and carbs, and to eat somewhat healthy food, you might want to check this place out.  Read more »

You can get Yuji’s food at Whole Foods for 3 more months. Via FitR.

• A salad chain is coming to Tribeca’s Greenwich St. [Commercial Observer]
• The list of Smorgasburg vendors at the Seaport looks awesome. [Grub St.]
• Behold the Chinese equivalent of Jell-O squares. [Eating in Translation]
• Sometimes all you need is a tuna melt at a coffee shop. [SENY]
• Looks like Kori is reopening after a run in with the tax man. [Tribeca Citizen]

You can get items such as the above when Roti Mediterranean Grill opens on Monday. Tip of the hat to Lunch’er Daniel who sent in the tip that the latest chain spot at Pearl St. & Pine is doing employee training today and over the weekend, and will open on Monday (no word on what time, but we will update when we find out). The place is a Mediterranean take on what seems like a million variations of lunch spots where you choose a rice plate, pita sandwich or salad with a choice of protein or vegetables, etc.

Look for a review early next week and view this another option when the line at Chipotle down the street is a little out of control.

Have you ever thought, “I wonder what my pizza would taste like on a puff pastry base?” Well, wonder no more, because Bravo Pizza on Trinity Place (nr. Exchange Alley) has you covered with its malawach pie.

We’ve seen our share of types of pizza in this city, but the kosher spot doesn’t seem to be flaunting its flaky take on the Italian standby.

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