Midtown Lunch

Confession time: I haven’t stepped inside a Metro in over 5 years, so long ago that I was working on the West Side. There’s a certain smell that emanates from their stores that turns me off. Then the other day, they managed to pique my interest in an advertisement for their “Sandwich of the Month,” Chicken Tikka Masala. Yes, I’ve probably passed this sign once a day this entire month and am only now noticing it. I’m a fan of DIY Chicken Tikka Masala sandwiches, and wondering if I would be a fan of this. If you’ve tried it, let me know if it’s good enough to break my Metro exile.

If you thought 2011 was going to be the year that the food truck fad start to cool off, guess again.  We’re all still eagerly awaiting the Kimchi Taco Truck (will this week be the week!?!), the Big D Grub Truck was spotted downtown on Friday and we’re hearing that yet another brand new truck will attempt to make its debut in Midtown today tomorrow.  Meet “Feed Your Hole”, a which claims to be doing street food “The Old New York Way”.  That means hot dogs and burgers on bread from Arthur Avenue topped with a whole mess of condiments that they make from scratch- including hot sauce, mustard, ketchup, relish, and peppers that they pickle themselves.  They’ll also have fresh cut french fries (which they will gladly put on top of a burger or hot dog) along with cheese and chili.  Oh, and there is also a peanut butter and bacon topped burger (called “The Nut Burger”, natch.)

Check out the entire menu, after the jump…

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Last month, we reported that Mooncake Foods will be opening a location in Hells Kitchen (54th between 8th & 9th Ave) and over the weekend, I noticed their tweet, announcing that they were open for business. I swung by yesterday for visual confirmation (and lunch) not realizing that they’re closed on Sundays. Next time, I’ll be sure to check them out when they’re not taking the day off, but they should definitely be open today.  Curious what this place is all about?  You can read the review of the Downtown location here.

Photo courtesy of Robert Sietsema

• Black Shack Burger has one of the 10 best tofu dishes in NYC!? [FitR]
• The buffalo chicken slice at Lazzara’s on 9th is tasty [Slice]
• Obika’s owners are opening a new place on 3rd Ave. [NYO via Eater]
• The jjol-myun at Food Gallery 32 is perfectly tasty [Ramen & Friends]
• Ham and swiss sandwich from Park Italian was simple and satisfying [Tasty Eating]
• There was a Smooth Criminal Flash Mob at Eataly yesterday [Eater]
• A great look at ML Happy Hour fave Saki Bar Hagi [TGWAE]

After mamacita’s out of bounds bender last week at Whiskey Rebel, she’s had a hard time making her way back into midtown proper, so I’m filling in with this week’s happy hour: Koreatown’s Baden Baden.

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Spotted this on yesterday’s ML Twitter Tracker but totally forgot to mention it… The Eggstravaganza Cart (on 52nd and Park) is going to be featured on the brunch/breakfast episode of Foodography w/Mo Rocca alongside Aquavit and Chinatown Brasserie.  How cool is that?  The episode airs this Sunday (1/23) at 9pm on the Cooking Channel.  [via Twitter]

With cold and dreary weather in the forecast for the near future, it’s always nice to have a little treat to look forward to. The other day as I was walking by the Treats Truck, I took a moment to peep in the case. Those of you who read our blog know that Blondie and I have tried about 97% of the menu at the Treats Truck. But I hadn’t tried their lemon squares, until now. Read more »

Blackened flank steak w/ grilled scallions, romesco, and cheddar. Photo by Feast.

Great news for fans of ‘wichcraft who may or may not have been getting sick of all their sandwich options.  Yesterday the mini-chain got rid of their chicken breast, white anchovy, and pastrami sandwiches (even though Ed Levine called the latter one his favorite snow day eats in NYC) and replaced them with 7 new seasonal options. We’ll miss the pastrami too, but are pretty excited to try all of the new sandwiches. You can see all 7 in all their glory over on Feast NY>>

Every Friday our man UltraClay goes 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.

Last week, while I was in Kips Bay visiting the (apparently controversial) L’Annam, I came across Turkish Kitchen. Walking by, it looked a little too fancy to pay attention to – until I saw the sign out front advertising their $9.95, two course lunch special celebrating their 20th Anniversary. That definitely got my attention.

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