Lunch Near the Metropolitan Museum
I've recently started working near the Met and have had very little luck finding anything good for lunch. I'm willing to travel 10 blocks north or South and would like to keep the tab at less then $10. I can certainly go higher but I don't have the time to really eat in and would rather just do a take out to eat at my desk. I most recently worked in midtown where the options seemed virtually limitless. All suggestions welcomed. Please save me from having to pay for over-pieced tuna salad which seems to be a specialty in this area. Thanks in advance.
By KTinNYC
on Nov 23, 2009 06:02 AM
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There's a Pain Quotidian on Madison at about 84th. And a fancy ??Dean & DeLuca or similar at 85th & Madison. Did you know that you can go into the Met Museum for $1. rather than the "requested donation" price? Just give them the $1. and ask for the entry button. Do that once, at least, to check out the cafeteria in the basement. It may work well for you. I don't carry the prices in my head, but I know I've had the salad bar or a sandwich and done pretty well on price.
I like Andre's Café on 2nd bet. 84 & 85th. There's a Hot & Crusty on Lex just south of 86th. I'm sure people who actually live up there can give you some more ideas. In any case, I'd head for Lexington Ave and start exploring.
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Noodles 28
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What do you recommend at Noodle 28. I'm a little leery of a place that serves both Chinese and Vietnamese food.
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My fav: the dumplings.
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I just had lunch at E.A.T. the other day and they have an entire take out deli area. Food was very good.
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The hamburger and waffle fries at Ottomanelli (Lex & 93rd) are fabulous, and under ten dollars, for when you might have time for a quick bite in. And, there is quite a good taco truck at Lex & 86th, on the NW corner. Papaya King is at Third & 86th.
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Thank you! This is exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for. Please keep it coming.
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Sometimes there is a dumpling truck there too - sort of fusion dumplings, if I recall correctly, as I haven't tried them.
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Papaya King on 86th & Lex, Mimi's Pizza on 84th & Lex and if you want to do fast food I think there is a BK on 86th bet. 3rd & 2nd. Definitely venture east, many more choices.
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Yes, that's what I suspected. I haven't really had the time to go past Lex but from what I could see on google maps I'd have to walk pretty far east to get the greatest variety.
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if you have an unlimited metrocard, you could always start venturing east on 86th and get on the bus if it is coming, i find that it runs pretty frequently.
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Unlimited metrocard I have, unlimited time? Not so much. Thanks for your suggestions.
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papaya king is on 3rd. i was going to recommend that as well as the taco truck. slightly further afield - there is good ramen on 89th and 3rd
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The ramen place you refer to, is it Naruto Ramen? That looks very promising.
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yes - naruto ramen - very good place. of their 3 regular ramens i like the miso ramen best, although the eponymous naruto ramen and the curry ramen are also good. they also usually have one or 2 special ramens per month. they have decent gyoza too. Ive been told their fried rice is good, but have not had it.
on mondays their regular ramens are only 6.50, and i think there is a gyoza special on wednesdays
of course i'm usually in that area on tuesdays, so no specials for me
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$6.50 ramen sounds very good to me. Thanks.
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I just came back from Naruto Ramen and I'm a little disappointed. The soup was a little greasy and really salty. The slice of pork was beyond fatty. It was 2/3 fat with a little meat on the edges. The noodles themselves were okay. It was reasonably priced for $6.50 but I don't think I'd ever pay $8.50 for what I got. Thanks for the suggestion, though. I've yet to try most of the others because of lack of time and the horrendous weather.
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Taco Taco on 2nd nr 90th
Good tacos for 7 bucks and chips and salsa for 2 or 3 bucks
Zucchero e Pomodori 2nd nr 75th
$8.95 lunch
Prosciutto panini is good with soup or salad and fries
Lex Candy Shop Lex nr 83rd
Love the chocolate malts but they have real great comfort food and a great staff too
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very old school counter place
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Lex Candy Shop is one of those places that I wish I loved more ... great staff, old school counter as you say, but I think it is just v. expensive for what it is. Somethings, like the lemonade, are arguable worth it, others just aren't. That said, I stop in from time to time to sit at the counter and have a BLT or a hamburger.
I happened to walk from 92nd to 82nd on Madison this afternoon, and then back up on Lex:
Yura - Mad & 92nd - the kind of place that has the expensive tuna sandwiches you are talking about. That said, every once and I while I have their roast chicken sandwich - mayonnaise, chives, lettuce, white bread. Quite big - $7.00. Nothing you couldn't make at home (I had one today), but tasty.
Falafel truck at Madison & 89th - haven't tried.
Schatzie the Butcher at Mad. & 87/88th - he has a brisket sandwich that looks great, but I haven't tried. He'll be moving to the UWS soon, so may be worth checking out. Don't know the price.
Nectar - 82nd & Mad - had a hamburger and fries there last week, expensive and so-so.
Lex & 83rd or so - there is a Tal's (?) Bagels
Lex & 86th - there was a falafel/kebab/everything else truck across Lex from the taco truck.
Sfoglia - Lex & 92nd - they have a little market and have excellent sandwiches, but pricey.
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You're right - the Lexington Candy Store is not cheap. $16.20 for a Cheeseburger, Soda and side of Homemade Coleslaw but the place has charm - the only spot in the Northeast that still mixes Coke with the with soda water and syrup from the tap. Longtime employees that have been there forever. So their labor costs are higher.
For Schatzie's Brisket sandwhich - you have to check with Pepe (who actually makes the brisket) if it is really fresh - of course that has to be out of earshot of Schatzie! If so go for it.
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I sympathize... have worked in that area. For delivery Viand at Mad and 78th was the best choice... but they are pricey. I used to split their turkey sandwich with a friend.. they are large enough to do that. Stay away from EAT unless you have unlimited finances -:) Recently visited friends still working in the area and they seemed to get the best lunches from Chinese rests... they all have the $6.95 special. But that only works if you have several people to order. There are several delis on the west side of Mad from 79 to 86.
You might check them out to find their special niche. They're all pretty much the same, but usually have something unique (and caloric -:)
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PS Noodles 28 is quite decent.... but they're way over at 85th and 2nd.
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What do you recommend at Noodle 28?
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Their Beef Noodle Soup is not bad - not as good or as cheap as Chinatown but it might do you in a pinch.
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What about JG Melon? Their burgers aren't too expensive and they also have other options (salads, chicken, etc). I've never tried anything but their cheeseburgers and cottage fries, but I think the tab was pretty reasonable.
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hells yea
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If you've not been to Ottomanelli's, I would definitely give it a try. IMO, much better than JG Melon for burgers, and cheaper.
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