Midtown Lunch

Last week Lunch’er Marisa asked for some strawberry shortcake help.  You responded with suggestions, and here is what she ended up with:

“We went to Café Zaiya. Honestly, the shortcake was fresh, but the whipped cream wasn’t real whipped cream and there were only 3 or 4 strawberry slices (so maybe one or two whole strawberries?) in the whole piece. It was enjoyable, but didn’t measure up to the real thing. Also of note, my boyfriend was absolutely shocked by how cheap everything is at Zaiya. I bought a edamame and bacon roll plus the piece of cake for under $5! He bought this delicious panko breaded chicken sandwich with a spicy mayo sauce for $3. Great place.”

Yes it certainly is. More strawberry shortcake porn, plus a shot of that edamame and bacon roll, and links to more Cafe Zaiya posts, all after the jump.

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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, meet Harry- an IT guy who hates tofu and wishes he worked in Greece (or at least could find a decent gyro in Midtown.)

Name: Harry

Age: 32

Occupation: IT Manager

Where in Midtown do you Work?: Madison in the 50’s

Favorite Kind of Food: Burgers, fries, greasy, organic, sausages, seafood, bacon, eggs, flat noodles, spicy, BBQ, Greek, Mexican, South American, and anything else that tastes good.

Least Favorite Kind of Food: Tofu and other forms of mush. Anything with the word “curd” in it. Uni sushi.

Favorite Place(s) to Eat Lunch in Midtown: Burger with the works at Goodburger (multiple locations). Two meat platter (steak and sausage) at Carnegie John’s (on 56th and 7th). Anything at the Hallo Berlin Cart (on 54th & 5th). Salads with fried chicken and Tex-Mex Ranch dressing at Chopt. Braised Beef Noodle Soup at Pearls (7th Bet. 48+49). Pearls is a hidden gem discovered by my old boss. Korean dishes and the salad bar at Café Duke (on 51st btw. 6+7th). Especially the Thursday Korean special (Spicy Chicken stew). Whole Foods (Columbus Circle).

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Wasn’t the horrible economy supposed to put an end to this?  That was going to be the one good thing about complete and total economic collapse:  no more random FroYo places with terrible names.  And then this comes along inside the Church’s Fried Chicken food court on 8th Ave. btw. 44+45th.  Are you joking?  WTF is Voguert?  Seriously.  What… the… fuck… is Voguert? With Red Mango located just one block away, I give this one 3 months top.

There is some semi-worthwhile news from the 8th Ave. food court…

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Today is a Ben & Jerry’s free cone day! Sadly the branch on 8th Ave is now closed, so you’ll have to settle for the one in the concourse below 30 Rock, or the one inside Macy’s (on 34th btw B’way+7th).  They’ll be giving out free scoops of ice cream from Noon to 8 p.m. And on the coffee front, Dunkin Donuts will be selling small iced coffees at the might-as-well-be-free price of 50 cents.  Sadly though, they’re making the promotion complaint proof by donating proceeds from every cup to the non-profit organization Homes for Our Troops. [Ben & Jerry’s ; Dunkin Donuts]

Anytime the Burger Joint comes up in conversation, usually somebody mentions its neighbor Norma’s– the breakfast/lunch restaurant also in the Parker Meridien Hotel (on 56th or 57th btw. 6+7th). With almost everything on the menu topping $20, even half off won’t get you into Midtown Lunch price range… but if you’ve always wanted to try this place (and I’ve heard it’s pretty awesome), this would be the week. Lunch at Norma’s is 50% off through this Friday, April 24th. [Serious Eats: New York]

Grub Street re-breaks the news that Kyochon will be opening a location of their Korean fried chicken chain on the corner of 32nd and 5th Ave. “Details are still coming together, but we’re told it’ll have the same menu as the Flushing location and will open in June.”

Related:
Kyochon Finally Bringing Korean Fried Chicken to Midtown for Lunch!

After receiving an email from a Benjamin Steakhouse PR person, I politely told them that Midtown Lunches have to be under $10. Her reply: “We actually do have some great things under $10.00 that I would love for you to consider! Two items on the menu [that] are perfect for lunch are the French Onion Soup and the Wedge Salad. They are big sellers during lunchtime. Additionally, I’ve attached images for your review.” Wedge salad? You’re joking, right? I believe that’s what is know in “the business” as an appetizer. Sell a steak sandwich *and* soup or salad for $10, and then we’ll talk.

Neither of the two new places we thought may open today are opening. The new location of Crisp (on 40th btw. 6+B’way) didn’t get the visit from the gas company they were promised, so they’re planning on opening next Monday.  Panda Restaurant (on 46th btw. 5+6th) said they need one more day, but will definitely be opening tomorrow… and, we’re hearing it’s not just Chinese food- but also Italian take out.  Weird. I think I may have to be there on opening day.

Related:
Panda Restaurant to Open on 46th Street
2nd Crisp Location to Open Right After Passover