Midtown Lunch

At long last, the enigmatic ChaPa’s Noodle and Grill (52nd between 8th & 9th) has opened to the public. Until only yesterday, the actual theme of the restaurant (aside from being about “noodles and grill”) was a mystery, and when we found out that these noodles and grilled food would be Vietnamese, we got really excited. So excited that I sloshed through some seriously crummy weather to check it out after work. I was, for the most part, pleased with what I saw and tasted. However, since this was their first night of operation, it would be unfair to comment on the food. Instead, here’s a preview of what you might get for lunch.
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Since Ultraclay is on vacation this week, he made me walk through a freakin’ blizzard was gracious enough to let me attend a Grimaldi’s press event for this week’s Flatiron lunch post (seriously, does that guy ever work?).

There’s not much else to say about Grimaldi’s Pizzeria that hasn’t already been blogged, reported, or gushed about. Since it spun-off from Patsy’s pizza, it’s become a legendary establishment, and is oft cited as the model New York pie. But this level of exposure begets fanatical regulars, curious tourists, and ensuing long lines. Absurd lines are bad enough, but to be inconvenienced with a schlep to Brooklyn for pizza is enough to make someone want to stay in the city and eat questionable pho. But Flatiron Lunchers (and city dwellers) rejoice! The Grimaldi’s location in the Limelight Marketplace (6th Ave. btw. 20+21st) will be opening as early as next week (pending DOH approval). And in case you weren’t able to snag a slice of free pizza last week, here’s a preview of what to expect.
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• Warning: that new Grand Central doughnut pop up runs out early [Midtown Eating]
• Anybody know what carts are out on Saturdays?  [Midtown Eating]
• A run down of some of the coffee options in Midtown [Midtown Eating]
• Looking for some good dal in Midtown East [Midtown Eating]

This seems like wasting time at work weather, don’t you think?  We’ve got just the thing for those of you who like food and music… we all know Zach is incredibly fat, but what you may not know is he used to work in the music industry (at Sirius/XM on 48th and 6th to be exact.)  He left all that behind a few years ago to get fatter do Midtown Lunch full time, but has found a way to bring music back into his life… by combining it with food! (Naturally.)  Please give a warm welcome to Food is the New Rock, a brand new tumblr blog/time waster devoted to bands who love food, and chefs who love music.   Read it, like it on Facebook, follow it on Twitter, recommend it on Tumblr… or don’t.

For awhile I feared that Sami’s Dosa Cart was a figment of my imagination. I first read about it in a tip from Lunch’er Adam Prato, but after multiple failed dosa excursions to 55th and Broadway I gave up. Fortunately another tip lead us to the cart’s current location on 39th and Broadway. Read more »

The other day I was getting my morning coffee at Pret when I noticed signage for their new Toasties–toasted to order sandwiches. Looks like Pret is trying to get in on the toasted sandwich market. Are “toasties” the new grilled panini (remember when every generic deli/lunch spot was selling grilled round paninis?) Seeing as I was lunch-less, I decided to give the new sandwiches a shot and picked up a Ham & Cheese toastie ($6.50) from the case. Read more »