Midtown Lunch

Hot Soup Carts are like the ground hogs of Midtown Lunch’ing, once they pop up you know that summer is really over!  Just spotted this one on 49th btw. 6+7th…  so, in case you were unsure, fall has officially begun.

The 2011 Michelin and Zagat guides hit news stands today… and while neither are particularly Midtown Lunch friendly, the 2011 Zagat guide has included food trucks for the first time ever this year!  According to the survey, 26% of people who filled in the quiz reported eating from gourmet food trucks at least occasionally, while 9% say they would never. (What? Who are these people!?) 11% of surveyors reported they follow food trucks on social networking sites like Twitter. (I wonder if that includes the ML Twitter Tracker!)  So… who made it into the book?

Drum roll please…

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Fall is upon us. The days are getting shorter, the weather is getting nippier, and suddenly lunch time has gone from merely a break in the day, to a necessary means of warming and comforting ourselves. It seems that many Midtown lunchers agree that soups are the perfect cold weather comfort food, and I wholeheartedly concur. And what’s more comforting and familiar than a bowl of hearty chicken soup?

When it comes to chicken soup, Margon (on 46th btw. 6+7th) has a fine version, which can be paired with their famous Cuban sandwiches, for the ML friendly price of only $9. For this price, I’ve always considered this combination to be one of the best soup and sandwich combos in Midtown. Find out why after the jump.

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A few months back when I posted about my undying love for the red lentil soup at Dervish, Lunch’er “steveroller” tipped me off that “there’s a similar soup for a similar price at Akdeniz on 46th a couple blocks away.” Interesting. Very interesting. Never one to pass up the opportunity to check out a new soup spot, I paid Akdeniz a visit to see how their red lentil soup stacks up.
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During a little wandering around Midtown South recently, I happened upon Paris Baguette in K-Town (on 32nd btw. B’way+5th). Though Clay reported their opening a few weeks ago, this was my first chance to sample some of their desserts (a huge mistake if  you’re a dessert-aholic like myself!) The glass cases inside were filled with little sweet treats, many hybrids of French technique with Korean flavors. Before making my decision, I did make the wise move of surveying all of the options, including those past the whole cake case (don’t worry, I’ll DEFINITELY be back for you my pretties.) That’s where I found this little beauty; fresh whipped cream, fresh berries, alternating layers of cake and vanilla custard, a sweet heavenly treat. Though the price is a little steep at $4.50, it was thoroughly enjoyed and I’ve been contemplating what I’ll be picking up next time which will be very, very soon.

Paris Baguette, 6 W 32nd St (btw. B’way+5th)

We haven’t really been covering all the street food news coming out of the Parks Department over the past few months (Tavern on the Green is a bit of a trek for lunch!) but we just got word that tomorrow they’re having some kind of press conference at the Armory in Central Park (on 64th and 5th) where a ton of the new Parks Dept vendors will be giving out free samples- including Calexico, gelato from Otto, pupusas from Red Hook, pretzels from Sigmund’s Pretzel Shop, dosas from NY Dosas, Wafels & Dinges, Pullcart (a new venture between Fatty Crab and Dovetail), and more.  It’s at 11am, slightly out of bounds, we’re not sure how long it’s going to last, and it’s technically a media event (there will be a press conference before the gorging begins), but we’re pretty sure they’re not going to check IDs or turn people away.  Freeloaders engage!

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 Joey, an east side web producer who will venture to Park Gourmet Italian just for their turkey sub.

Name: Joey

Age: 31

Occupation: Web Producer

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Turner Broadcasting / Murray Hill Office

Favorite Kind of Food: Seafood, Beer (it counts), and Burgers. Being from western NY I am always on the lookout for good chicken wings… And Garbage Plates!

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Salads, I like a good salad, but those are hard to come by. And I’m sick of french fries, they come with everything! I substitute whenever possible. (Unless they’re waffle fries or really tasty ones of course)

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: I still venture out to Park Gourmet (on 45th btw. 5+6th) when I get the chance, best old school deli around – Turkey Sub with the works. Wharf Bar (on 39th and 3rd) – cajun chicken club or chicken fried chicken when its on special. Melange Gourmet (aka Milant, on 39th btw. Lex+3rd) – H5! It’s right outside the door from my office. I do enjoy El Ray de Sabor though there is not a cart near me so that’s always an adventure as well. And Scottys (my diner, keep out!) on 39th and Lex whenever I want breakfast for lunch.

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