I work a few blocks north of Bryant Park. If you're looking for a standard sandwich/salad place, I highly recommend Cafe O on the south side of 42nd st between 6th and 7th (closer to 6th). Salads and sandwiches come with a free soup so the value is there. Their turkey chili is awesome and the salad is actually filling.
Szechaun Gourmet on 39th bt 5/6 is really good. Gets packed during the normal rush but they do take out.
Park Italian on 45th bt 5/6 is an awesome old school Italian deli, complete with the owner who works the register and slams your change down on the counter with a "Gratzi" every time. Great sandwiches and while I've never gone for the hot food, it gets a line so I'm sure it's good. Cash only (obv).
46th st between 5th and 6th is always packed with a bunch of good food trucks. There are also some real good Halal carts nearby (stick with ones that have a few people waiting) and the awesome El Rey del Sabor cart is always on the NE corner of 43rd and 6th.
There's also 3-4 good fast Japanese places on the on 41st (I think) across from the library and a BLT (I think) burger place on 40th between 5th and 6th.
Cafe Zaiya is probably the most popular one that you're referring to, but it got closed by the DOH over the summer.
Thanks guys. FWIW- I'm on 39th and 5th and barely have time to do more than a block or two radius, but I'm a sucker for Pret a Manger- so that's where I useually go. Have tried Essen, Dig-Inn and that Cafe Z... something that's got everything (not japanese) right on 40th at the park.
I was Union Square and SoHo for ages... this whole move thing blows, especially since there aren't any damn Citibikes ever available and I have to squeeze into the F train with all the Brooklyn idiots to get home.
You already called yourself a sucker so I won't beat you up too much over Pret. What a ripoff.
That's a real tough location if you're constricted by time so much that you can't even get over to 6th. Cafe Charlie on 40th bt 5th and Madison is a solid one of those "has everything" places.
Why not just do Seamless especially if you can coordinate with a couple others in the office? Even after a couple bucks for a tip, you'll likely come out even vs Pret and the food will be much better. Plus you can expand your horizons with it being delivered to your door.