Midtown Lunch

This week I was invited by The Capital Grille to try out their new $18 plates menu. Spoiler: the lobster roll was a good enough value that it was worth sharing despite the over $10 price tag.

The new $18 lunch at Capital Grille offers an entree with a side and a soup or salad. You still get the same Capital Grille experience, complete with crumber bearing waiters and portraits of mustachioed gentleman. Each course was brought out quickly; The Grille could easily keep its promise of getting you in and out in under 45 minutes if you ask.

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Philly’s Cafe is a welcoming spot on Walnut Street offering sandwiches, soups, and pastries along with a list of caffeinated beverages. On a warmer day, grabbing a sandwich and sitting in Washington Square Park would be a solid idea, but enjoying a warm drink and relaxing inside the cafe while watching everyone else bustle about is perfect for a January afternoon.  I knew that the space was formerly occupied by Danny’s and served Vietnamese hoagies. I was happy to find out that I did not blow my chances of banh mi and tea because Philly’s Cafe is serving them.

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This week Profiled Luncher John shares one of his lunch secrets. And if you want to stalk him, chances are, he will be here…

There’s no sign on the outside of the building. Inside, the name is only listed on a small sign on a glass door and on a portable display. There’s no website, and you’ll only ever find out about the place from word of mouth or if you wandered in after noticing its courtyard with outdoor tables during the summertime. But once you discover Morris’, a cafeteria on 17th Street between Market and Chestnut, you and your officemates will keep coming again and again.

Morris’ is about as unassuming as a Stephen Starr place can be. Starr Restaurants Catering Group operates Morris’ and brings along the standard Starr-quality food and professional service. The name refers to law firm Duane Morris LLP, one of the building’s largest tenants. While Morris’ may primarily intend to serve Duane Morris and other building tenants, it is open to the general public (or at least those who know about it). Personally, I heard about it from co-workers and have subsequently spread the news as well. Now, I don’t think it’s possible for me to go to Morris’ without seeing someone from work there.

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At the end of October, the Swedish Museum held its 2nd Annual Meatball Matchup. I helped judge the 8 amateurs, so I had no room left to try any of the professional meatballs. The crowd chose Pastificio as the pro winner, and I promised myself  a trip down there.

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It has taken me far too long to get to Plenty, the sandwich and prepared foods shop on Passyunk. The glare of the sun almost made me miss the awning. Inside, it is a lovely space to dine in; the cheery, jar lined shelves are the antithesis to those found in the basement in American Horror Story. Plenty is about local, sustainable, organic and all that jazz. Most importantly, they are about taste.

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Jones is Steven Starr’s comfort food haven. Not surprising, it is his prices that are less comforting.   I have to give credit where credit is due, and the classic grilled cheese and tomato soup combo ($10) is what you want when you catch a chill and your mommy isn’t around to heat up your soup and cut your sandwich into triangles.

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Grub Street already has the scoop on the offerings of Percy Street’s Comcast Center sandwich joint, which opened today. The concept is brilliant and the final products are looking quite good.