Midtown Lunch

Look at that freakin’ line!  Lunch’er “Joe” was kind enough to snap a photo of the free salad madness at Chop’t today (on B’way btw. 41+42nd) and it makes me wonder if the huge response (this photo was taken at Noon!) is a testament to how much people love salads, or how freakin’ expensive a salad has become in Midtown!  With a lin that long you’d think a salad cost $11 of something. (What’s that? They do? Wow.)

My fear of Chop’t (and salad in general) is well documented, but after seeing that line… should I be writing more about salad on Midtown Lunch? (*urgh* sorry, I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.)

Related:
Chop’t is as Terrifying As You Would Think
Greek Salad From a Cart May Be The Only Salad I’ll Eat

With the Vendy Award nominated Jamaican Dutchy cart on vacation for another two weeks, Midtown Lunch’ers are being forced to get their jerk chicken fix elsewhere these days.  Caribbean Spice (on 46th and 6th) has always been an ok substitute, but I thought it might be time to suck it up and brave the line at the Jerk Pan cart on 48th and Park. Much like the Dutchy when they first opened back in 2007, Jerk Pan popped up back in July and instantly had a line that seemed to move at a snail’s pace.  The menu (and wait times) were clearly meant to be modeled after the Dutchy, but is the food as good?

I finally got a chance to check it out on Monday, and boy am I glad I finally did.

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It appears as if the Rock Center Cinnabon has claimed its first victim.  Blondie and Brownie is reporting that the Auntie Anne’s in the Rock Center concourse has closed. Thankfully we still have the other four Midtown locations to fall back on for our cinnamon topped, butter soaked pretzel needs.  Also in sad-pastry-news, Lunch’er “Owen” emailed in this morning to say that Gulluoglu, the amazing baklava haven on 52nd St. and 2nd Ave, is closed because of some sort of “sprinkler” issue. Might have to hit up the Turkish kiosk in Bryant Park as a temporary replacement until Gulluoglu reopens…

Photo courtesy of Blondie and Brownie.

According to these photos on Bah Humbug, the Hallo Berlin Cart to returned to action this week (on 54th and 5th), and just in time for the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.  Not sure if that was intentional, but either way we’re glad to have it back. Dictator specials for everyone!

Related:Hallo Berlin Cart Owner Rolf Babiel Has Passed Away

Serious Eats New York launched their Chocolate Chip Cookie Championship yesterday, promising to discover the best that NYC has to offer chunk by chunk (Uptown, Midtown, Downtown, and Outer Boroughs). We’ve asked this question a few times here on ML, so I’m kind of curious where they’ll end up.  (Although they might need to add a “Mobile” category, and “Chains” category… Treats Truck, Starbucks and Au Bon Pain make damn fine chocolate chip cookies.)  You guys have any suggestions for the folks over at SE?

Grub Street has the scoop on Lucy’s Mexican Cantina, a new restaurant opening at 1 Penn Plaza (on 34th and 8th Ave.) tomorrow.  From the looks of the photos and the menu, Lucy’s is probably a the tiniest bit too upscale to be a proper Midtown Lunch, but who knows.  If it’s the greatest place of all time, it might be worth the extra few bucks.

Every Tuesday I 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 Casey, who moved here 13 years ago only eating chicken and pretzels.  Now, she’s a bonafied Midtown Lunch’er!

Name: Casey

Age: 30 going on 60

Occupation: Slave…

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Commercial Real Estate firm on 47th and Madison

Favorite Kind of Food: Pizza. I could eat it all day, every day. Mom’s macaroni and meatballs (which have now exceeded perfection due to a new secret ingredient I recently provided her with). I’d travel to NJ every Sunday for that if I didn’t hate going to NJ. Lentil soup. Hearty, stick to your bones lentil soup flavored with bacon, ham or chorizo….

Least Favorite Kind of Food: I don’t really have one. I moved to the city 13 years ago only eating chicken and pretzels. I remember going to Smith and Wollensky’s Steakhouse within my first few months here and I ordered roast chicken. After that I knew I had to make some changes. I did and I now I could give or take chicken..pretzels are another story.….I will eat (or try) just about everything.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: My #1 is Oms/b Rice Ball Café (on 45th btw. Lex+3rd). I never met a rice ball I didn’t love, but these I would marry. My favorites include the risotto spring roll, popcorn shrimp rice ball and teriyaki chicken. If I feel like treating myself, I love the veal milanese and veal and mushroom ravioli at BiCE (on 54th btw. Mad+5th). I never ate anything else there though. Mantao Chinese Sandwiches (on 53rd btw. 2+3rd) for their Pan-Fried Pork and Shrimp Dumplings. I undeniably, unequivocally leave there a happy girl every single time. Pick a Pita (on 8th Ave. btw. 39+40th) for a falafel (stuffed with fries!) and shawarma. Outstanding food, incredible value…Well done E.D.!!  Dessert: I enjoy baklava at Güllüoglu (on 52nd and 2nd). My two favorites: sour cherry and chestnut. Guilty Pleasures: The Newman slice at Two Boots (which I never told anyone). Sweet Sausage and Sopressata on a white pie. I will devour a slice in Grand Central every now and blend in with the tourists. AND… cole slaw from Cer te (on 55th btw. 5+6th). Red cabbage, raisins, poppy seeds….delicious.

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