Midtown Lunch

Some very sad news to report… Rolf Babiel, one of the owners of Hallo Berlin, has passed away. His unique sense of humor was a huge part of what made the Hallo Berlin cart on 54th and 5th so great, and he will be missed.  According to a worker at the 9th Ave. Express Location, the cart’s future is up in the air for now. (Got an update from his brother this afternoon… Rolf died of Cancer.)

The funeral is this weekend in Hell’s Kitchen. Our thoughts go out to all of his family and friends.

Just got some surprising news from the Street Sweets Truck, who seem to have been doing well at their spots on 50th and 6th, and in front of MoMa.  This morning they will be returning to their first Midtown spot on 55th Street btw. 5+6th Ave… the one they were kicked out of by Pret and Bistro Milano back in June (with a little help from the cops and fire dept.)  Their email didn’t really give an explanation as to why they think now is a good time to put themselves in harm way, but they seem pretty optimistic, even if it ends up just being for a “limited engagement.”  The truck plans on getting to the spot early this morning, but won’t open until 10:30am (so as not to step on the toes of the coffee vendor who parks on that same block.)  I guess we’ll see what happens…

A quick update from the owner>>

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Here we go again… on Monday select KFC locations will be giving away free Kentucky Grilled Chicken (one piece per person.)  After the Oprah/Coupon debacle back in May, it’s kind of surprising… although one free piece of chicken per person should work a little smoother.  According to a PR representative for Riese, their Manhattan KFC locations are all participating.  Get the full list here>>

• Looking for seafood in Midtown. Le Bernardin… or Red Lobster!? [Midtown Eating]
• Need catering suggestions for an office that thinks Minar is “too ethnic” [Midtown Eating]
• Eating a burrito in SF will ruin you for all other burritos [Eating Outside Midtown]
• If you book the private dinners for your office, here’s a helpful website [Midtown Eating]
• Confirmation that the Szechaun beef at Asian Station is good [Midtown Eating]

It’s hard to believe Oms/b, the delicious Japanese rice ball place on 45 btw. Lex+3rd has been open for 6 years!  And to celebrate they’re giving away a free gift with every purchase today and tomorrow (10/21-22). Rockabirdie got a “packet of pocky, hi-chew, and fried tofu things.” Sounds pretty sweet to me…

After yesterday’s run in with the man the Biriyani Cart decided today to move their “Sandwich Land” cart across 46th street, in an effort to reduce the clutter in front of Cafe Europa.  The Biriyani Cart itself stayed in its normal spot, and the Carribbean Spice cart returned also- but very few customers seemed to notice the Sandwich Land cart parked across the street, making the scene in front of the Biriyani Cart even more hectic than usual.  As of now the police haven’t returned, and nobody from Cafe Europa has said anything… but there is no question all the vendors on the block are a little tense.

Related:
BREAKING: Trouble in Biriyani Cart Land?

Earlier this week I reported that the generic deli named Cafe Du Monde was forced to change their name to Cafe Amande.  But the far more exciting news about the place came via email from Lunch’er Amanda:

Did you know Cafe Du Monde Cafe Amande on 37th between 5th and 6th has Korean food in the back? Bibimbap to rival that of Koreatown. Comes with miso soup and extra chili sauce (make sure you ask if they don’t give it to you because they almost always do). No sides but I usually just take some kimchee from the pay per pound buffet (it’s homemade by one of the cashier ladies!)

Korean food from a generic deli? Homemade kimchee? I’m in.

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On Tuesday I walked into the Japanese fast food spot Washoku Cafe, on 37th btw. Mad+5th, and it was hopping! I mean really crowded, especially compared to earlier in the year when they first opened. The quality of food at bento places like this is far better when there are crowds, and everything I saw yesterday looked really good. It was actually overwhelming. I’d need a small army to attack this place. Which got me thinking… why not assemble a small army?

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Today is duck pancake day at Yushi, but we’ve just got word about another special (available every day). The “Greatest Hits” Bento box features two pork and chive dumplings, two chicken teriyaki skewers (minus the actual sticks, so they can “get more in the box that way”), edamame, and fried rice for $8.  Could be good…