Midtown Lunch

Those of you who like your breakfast (or lunch) to be composed of carbs will be interested in knowing that Long Island Bagel Cafe on Fulton St. (btw. Nassau & William) has put up signage and looks somewhat close to opening. I’m going to say this is more exciting than the Au Bon Pain going in a couple of blocks away because the bagels and other baked goods can’t be as bad as what’s found at that chain, although I’m more pumped for Baba Ghanouge to open its doors.

Feel confident going meatless at a certain noodle shop. Via SENY.

• There’s a new source of British food downtown. [Tribeca Citizen]
• You can now get famous pastrami delivered. [FitR]
• Do not get BK’s chicken parm. [Food in Mouth]
• A flashy Mexican resto’s coming to BPC [Diner’s Journal]
• An update on Seaport food & drink post Sandy. [ENY]
• Downtown has some good vegetarian soups. [SENY]

There are several restaurants in the Financial District that fall outside the $10 price range at lunch, but sometimes I’m still curious about them. One of those places is Smorgas Chef on Stone St. just off of S. William St. The Swedish meatballs on the menu kept luring me in, but even the open-face lunch sandwich is $12 and the entree version costs even more. But what about the $10 appetizer of meatballs, mashed potatoes and lingonberry? Would it be enough to satisfy at lunch?

Read more »

The food truck situation in the Financial District has been in flux since many parking spots have been taken up by emergency vehicles and generators. That means many regulars, like the Tribeca Taco Truck which has regularly been rat Water & John, have been forced to find new locations in the neighborhood, or just park in Midtown for the time being. They returned on Tuesday after an absence and I happened to walk by as I was figuring out what to eat for lunch. I’ve already tried their tacos and a chorizo burrito when the truck used to park in Soho (they now have a cart on Broadway btw. Prince & Spring). It turns out they’ve upped the price on some of their burritos, but the $5 options are a great deal.

Read more »

It’s been a while since we’ve checked in with L&L Hawaiian BBQ on Fulton St. (at Gold), one of the city’s only sources of greasy, carby Hawaiian plate lunch and Span musubi. They were closed by the Department of Health last fall, and then reopened, but I’ve got to say I’ve been a little afraid of returning for another lunch. I may have to though because they now have a $5.99/pound Chinese buffet Chinese food steam table (not by-the-pound, upon further investigation). I think in place of the sushi bar that used to be up front. This price point is on par with Yip’s a couple of blocks away on William St. so there’s a little competition brewing.

L&L Hawaiian BBQ, 64 Fulton St. (at Gold), (212) 577-8888