Midtown Lunch

For me, the fun of Cafe Zaiya has always been to wander around aimlessly marveling at their wonders.  The selection can be overwhelming sometimes, and the crowds unforgiving, but there are still few places I enjoy more than this fast food Japanese wonderland on 41st btw. Mad+5th.  But if you’re one of those regulars who knows exactly what you want, but hates pushing through crowds to get it, you’ll be excited for this news. Cafe Zaiya has just added an online ordering system to their website. It looks like the system only works from 10am to 2pm, and as of right now you can only order sandwiches, bento boxes, and rice balls (I’m assuming baked goods, sushi, salads, and everything else will be added soon.)

I’ll probably stick with suffering through the crowds, and fighting to snag whatever fresh bento boxes they just brought out.  It’s part of the charm of the place.

Related:
A Food Porn Guide to Navigating Your Way Through Cafe Zaiya
Cafe Zaiya: Original Post (8/16/2006)

Did you get envious reading yesterday’s Serious Eats: New York post about Kung Fu Bing , the latest and strangest development in Chinatown fast food?  Fear not.  Grub Street is reporting that they have some pretty big ideas for expansion.  Specifically 18 stores in New York City, including one in Times Square.  Huzzah! (I think…?)

Thanks to Lunch’er Blair for sending in this photo, which confirms the news we reported back in June.  Onya, the Japanese udon chain owned by the same company that owns Beard Papa, will be taking over the Cafe Zest space on 47th btw. Lex+3rd.  No word on an opening day, but here’s hoping that it isn’t too far off.

Related:
Cafe Zest Space to Become Beard Papa Owned Udon Joint?

When yesterday’s post about the newly opened Meze Grill (on 8th btw. 55+56th) described it as a “Middle Eastern Chipotle” some commenters were quick to point that most authentic falafel and shawarma stands (here and abroad) operate in much the same way a Chipotle does.  That is, “you pick Pita or Laffa, choose protein, and pick out of an array of salads and sauces. This is a formula that has existed since the days of wandering in the desert. If anything, Chipotle is a Mexican Meze Grill.”

Right.  Except for one thing.  Meze Grill goes a little beyond just the “pick your fillings” on a buffet line formula.  The metaphor extends not just to the way the place operates, and looks… but also to its core essence.  I checked Meze Grill out yesterday, and I think once you do too, you’ll come to the same conclusion:  Meze Grill is the Middle Eastern Chipotle.

Read more »

It looks like Miss Softee, the Queen Frostine Ice Cream Truck driver, was inspired by her ice cream sandwich mash up with the Treats Truck last week.  Yesterday was her day off, and she spent it baking.  The result?  Two specials today, featuring homemade goodies.  First, a $6 sundae with a WARM brownie, vanilla ice cream, choc syrup, and a little butterscotch, plus whipped cream (that’s just a model, you can get whatever toppings you want.) The second special is also $6, and features vanilla ice cream topped with a “chilled berry-misu” (whatever that is!)  Sounds good.  She’ll be parked on 40th St. & 5th Ave. from around 12:30pm until around 6:30pm.  After that you can follow her on Twitter, or the Midtown Lunch Twitter Tracker.

Related:
PROFILE: Midtown Lunch’er “Chrissy” (aka Miss Softee)