Midtown Lunch

Every Friday we go south of the ML boundaries in search of a delicious lunch. Sometimes it’s Murray Hill south or the Flatiron District, sometimes Gramercy and everything in between- but we just like to call it Flatiron Lunch.

With the talk of Ivan Ramen coming to New York on the Food is the New Rock podcast with Deerhoof (What? You don’t listen yet? You should. It is kinda like ML in your ears) and my ensuing drool-inducing research on Eater, I needed a ramen fix. I can’t say there are many options for us Flatironers, but I had my eye on Ajisen Ramen, and, with the cooler weather, now was the time.

Read more »

It’s that time of year again. Preparations have been underway for the past several days, and now, the holiday shops at Bryant Park open tomorrow. Mmm…Enfes, TopArepa and Wafels & Dinges all return to the park, but I’m excited to try Strudels and Pies by Hans (pies) and La Churreria (churros). Yum. The official site is a little hard to use, but they’ve listed the food options listed so far. See you there!

I don’t know about you, but I always enjoy some drinking games whilst watching presidential debates- which always makes for a rough time at work the next day! Thankfully I have found a pretty spectacular hangover cure: a Magdy’s Philly Cheese Steak. The cheese steak cart has been a favorite of the blog since 2007, and has perplexed us with interesting menu items like Chicken Scampi and a Cheesesteak over rice.

And besides serving up a wonderful recovery delight the day after painting the town red, I’d like to note that the cart is a Midtown classic: Magdy’s has been around for 15 years. Judging by the always long but fast moving line, it’s still going strong! I took this opportunity to remind Midtown Lunchers since we haven’t touched upon it in nearly a year, and I wanted to make sure our new readers know the score.

Read more »

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse for food trucks… according to an article on Gizmodo yesterday, the NYC Fire Department has declared food trucks to be a legitimate terrorist threat. I mean while we’re at it, why don’t we ban all delivery trucks too. Couldn’t any of these be carrying lots of propane or drive through a building or wreak just as much havoc as a food truck? At best, singling out food trucks seems like just another attempt by the city to get food trucks off the street.  At worst, it kind of reeks of racism. Unsurprisingly they use incorrect facts to exaggerate the problem, claiming that there are 3100 food truck permits, when in fact there are 3100 total food vendor permits, and the majority of those are used on carts not trucks. The best part is their “internal use document” shows photos of trucks like Phil’s Steaks, Rickshaw Dumpling, and Kelvin Slush, as if these are the trucks they’re talking about.

Do we need to remind the FDNY that it was a Muslim street vendor who pointed out that car bomb to police a few years ago in Times Square?

Do you wonder what the ML contributors do when they’re not eating lunch in Midtown? (We’re actually pretty easy to stalk!)

Tacos from Tacos Leo in Los Angeles. Photo by Zach.

Brian tried Thai ice cream at Sky Ice in Park Slope, Rachel had Hong Kong street noodles at Grub Street Food Festival at Hester Street Fair, Blondie is going to be debating red velvet cupcakes next week, Brownie splurged on brunch at Talde and I looked back at the 12 course tasting menu I had at Astrid y Gaston in Lima.

Elsewhere in the ML universe… Zach tried out the taco options at a truck that specializes in al pastor in Los Angeles, Jamie got mussels for lunch at a beer bar in Philly and Andrea cured what ailed her with a carby, meaty soup at Soma by nature downtown.

It’s no secret that I really appreciate ‘wichcraft and their seasonal sandwiches. I ate my way through the entire summer menu a few months ago, and now the sandwich chain has launched their new seasonal specials.  The new frittata is still $6.88 and includes leeks, caramelized onions, roasted tomatoes and aged cheddar on ciabatta. Also on ciabatta is the whole roasted chicken sandwich ($9.64) with red chilies cabbage slaw and crema. They’re also serving up slow roasted pork ($9.87), which is pork shoulder with pepper relish and fontina on grilled country bread. The red wine braised brisket sandwich will also run you $9.87 and comes with mushrooms, red peppers, onions and gruyere on ciabatta. Lastly, they’re offering a roasted pumpkin sandwich on grilled country bread with hazelnut brown butter, sage and mozzerella. As a huge winter veggie fan, especially pumpkin, that last sandwich sounded right up my alley!

Read more »

Crain’s New York first reported yesterday that the 777 Third Avenue Building at East 48th street will open its loading dock to food trucks starting this coming Monday, October 29. Thus far, the lineup is Eddie’s Pizza, Luke’s Lobster, Comme Ci Comme Ca, and Frites N Meats, and the loading dock will feature one food truck each day. Midtown Lunch is pleased to note that the realtors, Sage Realty Corp., see the food trucks as an amenity to the building, and will even install a food truck camera so it’s easier for Lunchers to duck out when lines are short. We hope this will kick off a trend in Midtown, leaving more parking space for food truck vendors and less cause to worry about parking tickets from the PoPo.

I stumbled upon an advertisement in the Metro dated on the same day it was handed to me (Oct. 22) asking, “Have You Tried the New Dee Daa?” The ad had a full page spread of some sweet deals for a $5 entree or a $7 entree plus soup or salad (they call this a bundle). The fine print advertised that the deal expires on Halloween, October 31… so being the thrifty Luncher I am, I made my way to Dee Daa Balanced Thai (44th btw Lex+3rd) immediately. Early last year, Blondie gave them a shot just as it opened and really hoped they would work out the kinks. I was curious to see if they had.

Read more »

Every Tuesday we turn over the site to a different Midtown Lunch’er for his or her recommendations for the best lunch in Midtown. This week it’s PJ, a carb lover who thinks Trini Paki Boys is the ideal lunch.

Name: PJ

Age: 41

Occupation: Retail IT Director

Where in Midtown do you work? For a well-known fashion designer on 40th and 8th

Favorite Kind of Food: I’m a total carb, so first pick’s gotta be Italian. But the flavors in Indian and Middle Eastern foods are just amazing – I’m a little late to the Halal party but I am definitely making up for lost time. Really, any good combinations of meat/bread/cheese with fresh ingredients and good sauce/seasoning complements and I’m there.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Sushi, salad, mushrooms (it’s a texture thing, not a taste thing). And let me be clear here: I will never eat another turnip again. Ever.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: A chicken tikka masala and a double from Trini Paki Boys (on 43rd btw. 5+6th) is absolutely my perfect lunch in midtown. The non-veggie platter with Puri at Famous Dal Wagon (on 39th & 6th). The falafel at Pick-A-Pita (RIP). A cuban from Margon (on 46th btw. 6+7th). The provolone chicken sandwich from Previti Pizza (on 41st btw. Park+Lex). Just about anything from Cer Te on 55th btw. 5+6th (I once walked 16 blocks for one of their monthly sandwiches, and I’d do it again).

Read more »