Midtown Lunch

This here, my friends, is my favorite spot for lunch and just in time for St Paddy’s Day! Blarney Rock Pub (33rd btw 6+7th) is a gem, though most people probably wouldn’t think that by just looking from the outside (doesn’t help that Stout is next door and is also an Irish place with it’s dark wood exterior is way more attractive). On any given day you’ll find some real mean looking guys standing outside taking their cigarette breaks. Don’t be afraid of them because once you go through the doors, you’ll be transported to a place that’s casual, relaxing, serves some damn good lunches and has a great happy hour.

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It’s St. Patrick’s Day! Timing for the eating o’ the green treats. If you’re courageous enough to brave the emerald clad revelers, there are some St. Patty’s Day treats awaiting you at Treats Truck including: cupcakes, crispy treats, and four leaf clover sugar cookies. And Robicellis is now delivering to Joe the Art of Coffee in Grand Central on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so Joe should have a selection of their holiday cupcakes: Irish Soda Bread (with a clotted cream buttercream & Drambuie soaked raisins), Irish Coffee (Bailey’s-espresso cake & buttercream, ganache, crushed white chocolate) and the Car Bomb (Chocolate Guinness stout cake, Bailey’s buttercream, Jameson whiskey ganache). Lily O’Brien’s will be getting a delivery of these flavors tomorrow for those of you still celebrating on Friday (or needing something to get over your hangover).

Also Shake Shack is serving up Mint Chocolate Chip Custard, and if you tell your server “Get Lucky” at The Counter in Times Square they’ll give you a green beer or green shake for just $3. “Like” The Counter on Facebook and show it to them (on your phone or a printout) they’ll give you the shake for free.

Brownie discovered that Buttermilk Channel will substitute cheddar waffles for biscuits in their “Eggs Huntington”, while Blondie was home sick stuffing her face with Peter Pan doughnuts. Chris H. had a few decent dishes at Plein Sud, while Ultraclay visited the Cambodian Truck in Fort Greene, and Donny got photos of where the Big Gay Ice Cream sleeps for Serious Eats: New York.

Elsewhere in the ML Universe… Andrea found a great $10 bar pie near City Hall, Jamie ate chicken and waffles at IHOP in Phildelphia, and I found fresh baked Persian bread in West Los Angeles.

Photo courtesy of Robyn Lee/Serious Eats

We’ve been tirelessly tracking the progress of Food Gallery 32 since the end of last year, from the original opening in December through the decision to scrap their much maligned ordering system.  Clay tried the jjajangmyeon from Jin Jja Roo, the shrimp tempura udon from Big Bowl Noodle, the won ton soup from Bian Dang, and the pork cutlets from Pastel, and Chris H. tried the Red Mango, the general tsos chicken from Bian Dang, and Crepe Monster on the 3rd floor.   Not enough for you?  Well today Serious Eats: New York busted out with their official review including an incredibly handy guide to all the stalls complete with menus.

Hard boiled eggs are a traditional accompaniment with biryani, the popular Indian dish that we know all too well in Midtown thanks to the many halal carts that populate the street. But one famous halal cart that has yet to serve biryani is also getting in on the egg action. Kwik Meal, which has expanded its menu in the last few months to include kati rolls, is now offering spiced eggs.

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Pastry stocked shelves at Cafe Zaiya (on 41st btw. 5+Mad) are a beautiful sight, but there’s something insidious about the above image… basically, the lack of everything but pastries. On a recent trip to the Japanese eatery, I discovered that all of their pre-made items are now refrigerated. Witness the horror (and a few new sandwiches) after the jump…
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