Midtown Lunch

Every Friday we go south of the ML boundaries in search of a delicious lunch. Sometimes it’s Murray Hill south or the Flatiron District, sometimes Gramercy and everything in between- but we just like to call it Flatiron Lunch.

It has only been three weeks or so since Tres Carnes opened it’s doors, so perhaps a little early for a full post. But sometimes, we are impatient. Especially for places with huge lines out the door… and Mexican food… and Mexican food with Texas-style smoked meat.

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The Roots’ drummer and music producer, Questlove, is set to open a Chicken and Dumplings food stand named Hybird, in Chelsea Market this Saturday, May 18th! According to The Drop, Questlove is teaming up with Stephen Starr of Starr Restaurants (Buddakan) as a business partner and has spent over a year “developing and taste-tasting his signature flavored chicken drumsticks for public consumption.” The stand is also slated to serve cupcakes, juices, and slushies.

I suppose it’s only fitting for a drummer to open a drumstick stand… har har har… but seriously, let us know how Chef Questlove stacks up!

Last time we checked in with Aunt Ooi’s Kitchen, she was doing Malaysia proud by serving the Malaysian national dish, Nasi Lemak, to only the bravest and most adventurous Midtown Lunch’ers willing to experience the “exchange.” You may need to refer to that post if you missed out on how the exchange works…

Since then, Aunt Ooi has offered another addition to the Friday lunch special for the solo luncher willing to try something new: Nyonya Style Curry Chicken!

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A few months back, Brownie and I were approached by the Transit Museum to lead two food cart tours through Midtown East. Of course, we said yes. We are all about spreading the knowledge we learned while making New York a la Cart. The first of these tours happens this Friday, the 17th from Noon to 2pm–perfect for anyone who can take a long lunch. The tour will go up Park Avenue from Grand Central and you’ll learn all sorts of great things plus there will (most likely) be doughnuts. For more information on our tour and the other programs from the Transit Museum, click here. For tickets, click here.

It’s 23 Skiddoo for the Tequila Baron of 9th Ave – apparently Ranchito del Agave, who holds honors for buffet excellence dating back to the Brooks Era, was busted by the fuzz last week! A confidential source tipped us off to the sign and its big neon closure. Illegal alcohol sales? Anyone ever get offered something off the menu? Until they reopen, you can get your Mex on at Rinconcito Mexicano or La Montanita, not too far away on 8th.

UPDATE: We finally got to swing by the still-shuttered Ranchito, and a copy of the affadavit taped to the door (mostly torn off by unhappy Ranchitadores) states several incidents where a minor with the police auxiliary was served alcohol. Ouch!

Early this spring, we reported that an exceedingly small new storefront called Simply Sliders was opening on 43rd St. (btw. 3rd+Lex) and we assumed they’d be selling the eponymous miniature burgers. Well, Simply Sliders is now opened and not only are they selling tiny burgers, they’re selling tiny burgers that rival any burger in Midtown (I think so, at least).

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Grab your steins and get ready, because Reichenbach Hall, the German beer hall under construction on 37th St. (btw. 5th+6th) is now open for business. The good news is that they play German pop music and serve a full menu of German favorites like sausages, spaetzle, and schnitzel. The bad news is nearly everything is over the ML limit. The sandwiches are only a few dollars over, but you’ve really got to fork it out for almost everything else (even a pretzel costs $8.99?!).

Check out the menu after the jump…

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Gothamist posted some big news this morning for us street food obsessives. The ninth annual Vendy Awards (a fundraiser for the Street Vendor Project, one of our favorite organizations) are happening on Saturday, September 7 in a brand new location in Industry City in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. So this year we won’t have to take a ferry to get to the event, but it won’t be too far from the waterfront if you do happen to own a private yacht.

More pressing, tickets are now on sale and if the last few years’ ticket sales are any indictaion they will be going fast! Early Bird tickets are now available for $80 $85, but those will sell out soon and the price will go up to $95. Click here to purchase them now. You’ll be glad you did!

And this also means it’s time to nominate your favorite vendor for an award. This year has the most categories we’ve ever seen, bringing back some favorites, like Dessert of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Market Vendor, NJ Vendor, and Heroic Vendor, which means more food then ever. Nominations will be open at the Street Vendor Project website through July 25.

From 4-8pm today, Haagen-Dazs is giving away a free scoop of your choice! Additionally, if you try their new Gelato, and tweet your review using #TWITALY, you’ll be entered for a trip for 2 to Italy. Looks like the closest location for Midtown Lunch’ers is at Penn Station. Freeloaders ENGAGE!