Midtown Lunch

I have to say I’m a little shocked by this one… walked by Zen Burger today (on Lexington btw. 45+46th) to discover that this past Friday was their last day open for business.  This one year old vegetarian fast food chain from the owners of Zen Palate (which has also been plagued by money issues over the years) was disliked by many meat lovers, but I was kind of into their whole premise: fast food that is almost identical to McDonald’s, but without using any meat. 

The letter blamed “extremely high rent” for the closing, and said to watch out for news about “future locations”.  No word on how this will effect their West Hollywood, CA location supposedly opening at the beginning of 2009.

The full letter is after the jump.

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I’ve walked by this cart on 55th btw. Park+Madison many times, and each time was equal parts turned off and intrigued by the sign. What exactly is “healthy” street meat? Is that even possible? And what would it taste like? Well, last week the question was partly answered when a couple of commenters recommended the Greek salad topped with chicken from this very cart.

Now, if you read this blog regularly you know my feelings on salad. I generally can’t bring myself to do it. If I want to eat healthy, I’ll get a “salad style” bibimbap from Cafe Duke on 51st btw. 6+7th (that’s about as healthy as I’ll get). But salad from cart? Well that is kind of interesting. I think I could get away with that, without ruining my reputation… plus it’s a Greek salad- so you throw in some feta cheese and grape leaves, and this fat guy is ready to eat some greens!

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As Eater reported last week, Washoku Cafe (on 37th btw. Mad+5th) has opened for business.  They’re running at about 60% right now, with bento boxes, sushi, and drinks packaged and ready for sale.  There is a coffee section in the front, but the hot food section in the back isn’t quite ready yet.

A look at some of the food is after the jump…

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Candy Cane Cupcakes from The Treats Truck. Photo by NYCBlondieandbrownie

• The Treats Truck is serving candy cane cupcakes from now through Christmas [Blondie and Brownie]
• Murray’s Salami is giving away a whole porchetta on December 19th [Strong Buzz]
• A list of the best Cappuccinos in Midtown [I Am A Fashion Designer]
• Hot Dog vendor wins the right to have an interepreter in court to defend himself, hopefully setting a precedent for future cases [City Room]
• There is a Kee’s chocolates on fifth avenue in the HSBC building [Blondie and Brownie]

If you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so I thought maybe it was time to introduce a happy hour column to the site. Every week we’ll post about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap. This week our one and only Happy Hour Correspondent Mamacita (yes, the commenters managed to scare off our other contributor) hits up the Bull Moose, the perfect place for “a fat man looking for fried cheap eats.” Now that sounds like somebody I know…

At first glance the Bull Moose Saloon seems like a nondescript sports bar that happens to be owned by the same people behind Dave’s Tavern. As you enter to your left there are a few TV screens on the wall above the bar and a billiard table to your right. Little cafeteria tables stretch out in front of a kitchen that serves up all things fried and fatty (calm down Zach we’ll get to that.) But the big surprise comes when you walk upstairs and find a forlorn cocktail room with tables and tall glass windows offering a gorgeous view of… well… nothing really, mostly the side of the building across the street, and of course a large horned moose mounted on the wall. To add to the discord, the men’s room is at the main bar floor and the women’s room is upstairs and decorated with a striking shabby-chic antique vanity with a gilded Victorian mirror. The Bull is definitely a BYOA establishment: Bring Your Own Atmosphere. But what it lacks in ambiance it compensates in cheap beer and food.

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Got this question today from “Lunch’er Miguel”:

“Since it is Christmas time, and I am Mexican, I am dying to buy a bunch of tamales from the tamale lady in front of the Mexican Embassy(on 39th btw. Mad+Park). But I just realized I haven’t been since early this year. She still around? Also, any idea if she sells by the dozen or is that asking too much?”

Coincidentally enough, I walked by the “Tamale Lady” in front of the Mexican Embassy this past Wednesday and have some pork tamal proof that she is still there (shown above). $1.50 and it was even better than I remembered from last time (with a huge chunk of slightly spicy pulled pork in the middle.) I’m not sure if she’ll sell in bulk, but I can’t imagine she wouldn’t if you set it up with her beforehand (I’m assuming you speak Spanish, which will be very helpful.) If that doesn’t work, I’d suggest hitting up any of the other places in Midtown that have tamales. Anybody done this before?  Or know a good bulk tamales option in Midtown (or farther afield?)

Got something you’d like to “Ask Midtown Lunchers”?  Email it to zach@midtownlunch.com

With the temperature starting to dip down, it’s not surprising to see places rolling out the hot soups and warm specials for the winter.  Food trucks especially seem to be taking the lead… for example, Rickshaw Dumpling Truck just introduced Miso Soup to the menu.  You can get it alone for $3, or added to an order of dumplings as a the perfect side dish. 

In sweeter news, hot chocolate has returned to the Dessert Truck as a winter special, and the Treats Truck says they plan on adding their own hot chocolate very soon. Rickshaw & the Treats Truck are in Midtown today on 45th btw. 6+7th, and the Dessert Truck is in their normal spot on Park Ave. and 52nd.

But wait there’s more… chicken noodle soup (and homemade fudge) is after the jump.

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Speaking of Japanese bento places, Dainobu, the Japanese grocery store on 47th btw. Lex+3rd, is hoping to open for business on December 22nd.  Seeing how close they are to Cafe Zest, they plan on distinguishing themselves from Zest & Zaiya by offering more hot food, served fresh, and a whole grocery section. They will probably end up being be most similar to Yagura, one of the other Japanese places that makes up the “trinity” on 41st btw. Mad+5th.

If you are into seeing construction in action, that shot is after the jump… 

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