51st and 6th: need lunch ideas

[mas]

I just started a new job on 51st and 6th. So far, aside from Pret, I'm not finding too many interesting lunch options.

Your help is greatly appreciated!

[darlok]

I saw mention of a crepe cart. There used 2 be one on broadway near 54st...but it's been gone a few months now.

where is the crepe cart that was discussed on this post, does anyone know?

[Peter Cherches]

The crepe cart is right in front of Donnell Library, on 53rd.

[welle]

Remi's cafe - great salads, pastas, risotto. you must try their brownie
Between the Bread
Taam Tov (kosher Uzbek)
Bread & Olive (Lebanese)
Sapporo (cheap Japanese comfort food, love their chahan)
Cafe Duke for Korean food (they're an enormous Korean mega deli, so they have all kinds of food which you can find better versions elsewhere, but they're the only ones serving Korean food around).

[Peter Cherches]

I have to try Taam Tov. I tried another Uzbek place, Aron's, and it was awful.

[zGustibus]

Where's Cafe Duke?

[welle]

51st between 6th and 7th (on the site of former Canova's)

[Peter Cherches]

ALso, check out the biscotti at Theresas on 51st, near the Club Quarters. I just had a chocolate hazelnut. Yum. They have a wide range of flavors.

[bigmackdaddy]

Ise Japanese on W 56th between Ave of Americas and 5th, or Hallo Berlin the German sausage stand on the corner of W54th and 5th.

[Peter Cherches]

Thanks for the Hallo Berlin reminder. I think I'll hit 'em today.

[SomeRandomIdiot]

What do you get? I tried it once, got the dictator's special, the potatoes were really greasy, the sausages were ok and the portions were really small. Didn't seem like it was worth the 10 minute wait. All I remember basically was that it was just all covered in grease and I had to drink a few cups of tea to get the taste out of my mouth. Oh and I was still hungry afterwards.

[Peter Cherches]

They weren't at 54th & 5th when I got there, a little before noon. I ended up picking up a couple of empanadas from the Argentine crepe guy in front of Donnell Library.

[bigmackdaddy]

They're usaully in front of the University Club. I hope they didn't go out of business.

[zGustibus]

Where exactly is the Argentine Crepe Guy? On 53rd? or On 5th Avenue? Is he there every day?

[Peter Cherches]

I just saw the query about the crepe cart. It's on 53rd in front of the library. Usually there, but sometimes gets there after noon.

[zGustibus]

He wasn't there was he (the hallo berlin cart)? I heard he's not back until August...

[theannerska]

Right - there was a post a while back that he's on vacation until then. I've been meaning to try it as well, so hopefully it is really as good as they say...

[jungirl]

there's no way they went out of business. the guy who runs the cart owns 2 restaurants in the city and still runs the cart for fun. he barely lets his assistant do anything. hence the 30 minute wait when there's only 6 people on line. oh, but worth it.

[zGustibus]

As of yesterday the Hallo Berlin Cart is back on 54th and 5th. The brothers have returned from their annual trip to Germany. They're open from 11:30am to 3:30pm. I took pictures yesterday:

http://midtownlunch.wordpress.com/200...

[mas]

thanks to everybody. i really appreciate the help!

[Brikka]

I worked right there for several years, so I completely empathize! Lots of great suggestions above, to which I'd add Lou's Cafe at 1301 6th (it's either on 52nd or 53rd Street; south side of the street). Nothing fancy, but lots of good salads and pastas. It's a nice place to go with a lunch buddy, and they've got sidewalk seating if it's not too beastly hot out.

[Peter Cherches]

I work on 51st & 6th too. For lunch I range from 5th to 9th Ave., 45th to 56th Street. Among my haunts:

Minar, excellent, cheap Indian steam table place on 46th between 6th & 7th (near Margon). AN absolute fave of mine.

John's Shanghai (same block as Minar), but don't order the lunch specials. I gave up on Joe's Shanghai on 56th--too damn expensive.

Wu Liang Ye (my favorite Sichuan)- but don't order the lunch specials.

Menchanko-Tei & Menkui-Tei for Japanese noodles.

Topaz for Thai (good deal for midtown, and pretty decent).

Sukhadia's for Indian veg. $10.99 buffet, $4.99/lb. to go.

Excellent Turkish at Akdeniz on 46th, but cheaper for takeout.

Moishe's falafel cart. Daisy Mae bbq cart. Various Vietnamese-run fruit salad carts.

Utsav & Bay Leaf for Indian buffet.

I recently tried La Bonne Soupe for the first time. Not bad, but I miss La Crepe de Bretagne.

Ninth Ave: Afghan Kebab House, Rice & Beans (Brazilian), Old San Juan (Puerto Rican/Argentine), Grand Sichuan, Uncle Nick (Greek), Rincon Peruano.

Also, you can get decent pizza by the slice at Global Kitchen in 1290 6th Ave, 52nd street side. Good, enormous salads to go at Bread Market, same building (I like the tortilla tilapia, moroccan eggplant and jerk chicken salads).

http://petercherches.blogspot.com

[zGustibus]

Where is Topaz?

[Peter Cherches]

Topaz is on 56th between 6th & 7th. Better than many, not as good as others. Very popular at lunch.

[SomeRandomIdiot]

Hing Won on 48th betw 5&6 is ok Chinese takeout.

[G3B]

Eatery on 53rd and 9th has good $9.95 lunch specials.

[FoodFanNYC]

Check out Margon for cuban sandwiches. I think it's on 47 or 48 off of 6Ave. Go to www.menupages.com for the address.

[zGustibus]

I would definetely second Margon for Cuban Sandwiches... or for straight up cuban food, check out

Cafe Cello
http://midtownlunch.wordpress.com/2006/07/10/cafe-cello/

or

Kati Roll for Indian Burritos
http://midtownlunch.wordpress.com/200...

Those are my two favorites right now...