Midtown Lunch

The last thing you’d want a sushi place to be is sketchy AND cheap. I’ve been eyeing Sushi Fussion for a good half year since it opened, wondering if I would end up in ER from food poisoning, but sometimes you just gotta take one for the team, and that’s where the best stories come from.

I’ve walked by this restaurant’s sign (a simple flag) SO many times, but never bothered to check it out since I get sick of everyone around me wanting sushi ALL the time, even in this polar vortex weather! Can’t say the hidden entrance really helps, either.

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I noticed a sign for a new location of the uninspired Academia Barilla on Sixth Avenue between 40th and 41st Street. For those near Bryant Park who crave a cheap, pasta meal that you could make it home, this could be good news. The pasta maker will open their second Midtown location in the coming months.

As one lunch option opens, another one shutters. Eater reported that the Bryant Park ‘wichcraft kiosk has closed for good in 2015. No word yet on what will replace it. But, of course, there are still locations of the sandwich chain in Rockefeller Center, 46th Street near 5th, and on Park and 47th.

Holiday presents have already been opened AND returned, you’ve packed on some healthy holiday weight, and your wallet’s seriously hurting. No more decadent meals, you think, but I’m here to ruin your New Year Resolutions! Oh, and if you don’t like truffle (the mushroom kind), you can just stop reading now.

This homey cafe doesn’t have signage beyond a simple sidewalk sandwich board. The reflective windows don’t really help passersby see what’s inside, either. Compound that with being just off of 8th Ave with a large pizzeria on the corner, and Cafe Tarantin flies well under the radar, whether that’s their intention or not. In any case, I’m thankful Cafe Tarantin hasn’t been discovered by the masses of tourists (or most midtowners for that matter). The cafe may not have that many items under the $10 budget, but one dish, the Tartufo pasta, makes up for all that.

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We got a tip a few weeks ago from Luncher Chris who noticed the prices at The Famous Halal Guys have increased from $6 to $7. Sure enough, all of their carts in the vicinity of 53rd and 6th now have menus that read $7 for any rice dish. One of the guys at the cart on the SE corner told me it has been that way for about two weeks now.

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Can yet another Halal offering near Penn Station survive all the competition? If you order carefully, Garden Kebab House just might turn you into a regular. Many items are beyond the ML budget, but the smaller platters and sandwiches still fit the bill and the stomach. Well, almost.

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The incredible Robicelli’s have created a new dessert mash-up that puts that over-hyped cronut to shame. Normally, their Nutelasagna (a baked lasagna made with Nutella, cannoli cream, chopped chocolate, and marshmallows) is only available at their Bay Ridge bakery, which is a bit far for most of us in Midtown.

But the amazing news is that today you can get a taste of this for free in Midtown. They will be giving out 200 free half portions of the creation at the Renaissance Hotel (48th and 7th) today beginning at 4pm. I’d get there early if possible because it can’t last long.

It’s a litte out of bounds, but I wandered over to the newly opened Sachi to see if I could get a decent meal without spending too much money. The sleek, modern restaurant is owned by Pichet Ong (the chef behind Qi Thai) and Andy Yang (the owner of the Rhong-Tiam food truck). We also got word that they offer some lunch specials at under $10.

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Ready for another shawarma falafel joint? Can’t say Midtown really lacks in this area, but The Hummus and Pita Co just added a shiny new fourth location, right next to Port Authority. Our Downtown counterparts have covered this mini-chain quite a bit, so this place ought to be a safe bet. I spied a flight of stairs leading to more seating above. Will report back soon on whether they’re up to par with their downtown locations.

Hummus & Pita Co. 616 8th Avenue (btw 39+40th)