***New York*** (2 Viewers)

[Koya]

Luger's is great I am sure, but looking for where the locals go.

Googling strip house now.

Many locals indeed go to Lugers. You will find a range of tastes but I wouldn't be surprised if Lugers is the fav of many if not most New Yorkers.

I'm fortunate because I go to the Lugers in Great Neck in Long Island so it's super easy and while busy, you don't have the craziness of the Brooklyn locale and the tourists.

Plus, you can do strip house elsewhere (Vegas and not sure where else), but Lugers is here and only here.

 

[Koya]

Mutton chop at Keens

Sometimes these discussions in this particular thread remind me of the "second button" conversation in Seinfeld.

I've never made it to keens. Need to. Never hit old homestead either - is it worth the trip?

 

[fantasycurse42]

Luger's is great I am sure, but looking for where the locals go.

Googling strip house now.

Many locals indeed go to Lugers. You will find a range of tastes but I wouldn't be surprised if Lugers is the fav of many if not most New Yorkers.

I'm fortunate because I go to the Lugers in Great Neck in Long Island so it's super easy and while busy, you don't have the craziness of the Brooklyn locale and the tourists.

Plus, you can do strip house elsewhere (Vegas and not sure where else), but Lugers is here and only here.

The one in Brooklyn is a ####### nightmare... Getting a reservation is months in advance, it is pretty ridiculous. While I agree it is great, I think a select few others are better, but this obviously comes down to preference when you get up to that top tier.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Mutton chop at Keens

Sometimes these discussions in this particular thread remind me of the "second button" conversation in Seinfeld.

I've never made it to keens. Need to. Never hit old homestead either - is it worth the trip?

Keens Never been to Old Homestead either.

Trying American Cut next week... Heard real good things. Pretty sure I'm doing this New York cut http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/american-cut-new-york?select=sQENidK5XXrsqIhzJbOizg#AINPzy7NsdY_Hhli5JbouQ

 

[Koya]

Luger's is great I am sure, but looking for where the locals go.

Googling strip house now.

Many locals indeed go to Lugers. You will find a range of tastes but I wouldn't be surprised if Lugers is the fav of many if not most New Yorkers.I'm fortunate because I go to the Lugers in Great Neck in Long Island so it's super easy and while busy, you don't have the craziness of the Brooklyn locale and the tourists.

Plus, you can do strip house elsewhere (Vegas and not sure where else), but Lugers is here and only here.

The one in Brooklyn is a ####### nightmare... Getting a reservation is months in advance, it is pretty ridiculous. While I agree it is great, I think a select few others are better, but this obviously comes down to preference when you get up to that top tier.

Preference totally. And great neck is SO much easier to deal with. I just love their steak and haven't had anything as good, personally.

It is a quintessential NY experience with the German food Hall setting and being by the bridge. The preparation and serving is quite different than any other steakhouse other than the copycats which, to me, would account for something if I were visiting as it's nothing you can get anywhere else.

But there are so many ways you can go - just take advantage of NY and don't go to one of the high end chains as you can get that anywhere (although I will hit the palm now and then, personally)

 

[fantasycurse42]

Luger's is great I am sure, but looking for where the locals go.

Googling strip house now.

Many locals indeed go to Lugers. You will find a range of tastes but I wouldn't be surprised if Lugers is the fav of many if not most New Yorkers.I'm fortunate because I go to the Lugers in Great Neck in Long Island so it's super easy and while busy, you don't have the craziness of the Brooklyn locale and the tourists.

Plus, you can do strip house elsewhere (Vegas and not sure where else), but Lugers is here and only here.

The one in Brooklyn is a ####### nightmare... Getting a reservation is months in advance, it is pretty ridiculous. While I agree it is great, I think a select few others are better, but this obviously comes down to preference when you get up to that top tier.

Preference totally. And great neck is SO much easier to deal with. I just love their steak and haven't had anything as good, personally.

It is a quintessential NY experience with the German food Hall setting and being by the bridge. The preparation and serving is quite different than any other steakhouse other than the copycats which, to me, would account for something if I were visiting as it's nothing you can get anywhere else.

But there are so many ways you can go - just take advantage of NY and don't go to one of the high end chains as you can get that anywhere (although I will hit the palm now and then, personally)

Big fan of this one actually... But agree completely with a Morton's or Ruth's Chris.

 

[jamny]

And The Palm seems to be one of the few that actually pull it off well outside of NYC. Unlike S&W, they seem to maintain the same standards around the country.

 

[massraider]

Wolfgang's downtown, Sparks, Keens all great choices.

 

[Koya]

And The Palm seems to be one of the few that actually pull it off well outside of NYC. Unlike S&W, they seem to maintain the same standards around the country.

It's by far my fav of the chains. There is something special bout the original's ambience and ghosts, too.

 

[RUSF18]

Mutton chop at Keens

Sometimes these discussions in this particular thread remind me of the "second button" conversation in Seinfeld.

I've never made it to keens. Need to. Never hit old homestead either - is it worth the trip?

Keens Never been to Old Homestead either.

Trying American Cut next week... Heard real good things. Pretty sure I'm doing this New York cut http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/american-cut-new-york?select=sQENidK5XXrsqIhzJbOizg#AINPzy7NsdY_Hhli5JbouQ

Old Homestead is great but I actually prefer their AC location in Borgata to the NYC one. Like Keens, they've been around a really long time.

I made a reservation at American Cut for Saturday night based on your mention of the pastrami rub in the other thread. Likely won't be able to make it but wanted to have it as a fallback in case the wife and I can make it. Report back.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Summerstage this Saturday

Dr J is a mother####ing legend. Alynda Lee Segarra is a gifted songwriter and HFTRR are just hitting their stride.

Did I mention this is free?

 

[El Floppo]

Summerstage this Saturday

Dr J is a mother####ing legend. Alynda Lee Segarra is a gifted songwriter and HFTRR are just hitting their stride.

Did I mention this is free?

Is he going to dunk on Segarra?

 

[jamny]

Not looking like a great weekend but what an amazing week of weather we've had. Sleeping with the windows open at the end of July?

 

[El Floppo]

Not looking like a great weekend but what an amazing week of weather we've had. Sleeping with the windows open at the end of July?

unbelievable.

I've actually been a little chilly on my morning bike ride to work. pretty nuts.

 

[Koya]

Not looking like a great weekend but what an amazing week of weather we've had. Sleeping with the windows open at the end of July?

unbelievable.

I've actually been a little chilly on my morning bike ride to work. pretty nuts.

Had the HEAT on with the top down on my jeep heading to work.

 

[RC94]

Not looking like a great weekend but what an amazing week of weather we've had. Sleeping with the windows open at the end of July?

unbelievable.

I've actually been a little chilly on my morning bike ride to work. pretty nuts.

Had the HEAT on with the top down on my jeep heading to work.

The subway stations are still pretty hot.

 

[RC94]

Any recommendations for an everyday lunch place near Grand Central Station?

 

[fantasycurse42]

Heat today was nauseating. Last week was perfect.

 

[El Floppo]

Any recommendations for an everyday lunch place near Grand Central Station?

sit down? take out? type of food?

Lots of places around there.

 

[RC94]

Any recommendations for an everyday lunch place near Grand Central Station?

sit down? take out? type of food?

Lots of places around there.

Sit down but not fancy or expensive (preferably $10 or less per person). Just a place to get together with friends for lunch when we aren't eating a quick lunch in our offices. We eat a variety of types of food so we are open to ideas in that regard. We ate at Shake Shack in the food court of Grand Central yesterday, which was good, but pretty much everything else down there is really overpriced for what it is - fast food. Plus, it was a pain in the neck to find anywhere to sit and eat so we are looking for some places outside of Grand Central. However, since my friend works in the Met Life building it has to be nearby. Appreciate your ideas on this.

 

[El Floppo]

The Oyster Bar in GC is a fun, once in a while sit-down spot- great location. Sit at the bar for quicker service. A little North of $10, but not much. And not "every day".

Num Pang sandwiches are awesome... on 41st. Nowhere to sit, so either sit outside or head to Grand Central.

I'm at 39th and 5th... usually eat at my desk and don't have the time to sit down- so, it's places like Chop't, Dig Inn, Pret a Manger most days for me. Dig doesn't have a place to sit, but the other do. Sunrise Market for cheap Japanese has an upstairs dining area. Zeytinz (little bit of everything deli-bar, etc) on Bryant Park South (40th) does as well. Maison Kayser has great take-out sandwiches and salads. There's a decent Chinese place on 38th betwn 5th and Mad for cheap lunch specials, and a new Japanesish place next to my office on 39th, not as cheap lunch specials.

I've been told the Scandinavian House has a good place to eat more upscale Ikea food. A couple of burger places on Lex (39th, 38th-ish) look interesting too- but I don't eat red meat.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Num Pang Coconut Shrimp

Although it doesn't fill me up... They also just closed the location near my office bc the building they were in sold

 

[El Floppo]

Num Pang Coconut Shrimp

Although it doesn't fill me up... They also just closed the location near my office bc the building they were in sold

which location?

 

[fantasycurse42]

Num Pang Coconut Shrimp

Although it doesn't fill me up... They also just closed the location near my office bc the building they were in sold

which location?

12th between 5th and University.

 

[El Floppo]

Num Pang Coconut Shrimp

Although it doesn't fill me up... They also just closed the location near my office bc the building they were in sold

which location?

12th between 5th and University.

damn... that used to be my spot too. thoprw

 

[RUSF18]

I'm guessing by sit down you mean "tables available" and not sit down with waitress service, as there won't be much in that price range there.

Unfortunately the immediate area around Grand Central is pretty much a dead zone, especially when it comes to having space. So you're mostly looking at the generic cafes. I used to go to Food World (46th bt 5th and Madison) a lot for salads. A ton of seating downstairs. Dishes is good on 45th bt 5th and Mad. There's a bunch of Little Italy pizzas in the city but on 43rd bt 5th and Madison is the best. No seating though, it's just something you should make sure you go to. And Num Pang is awesome.

The site you want to check out is www.midtownlunch.com. It exists pretty much entirely for what you're looking for...interesting lunch options in midtown, generally under $10. You'll see a map on the top right where you can go in and do some exploring on your own. If you don't see much in the blog posts that interests you, keep looking around...the site has been around for a long time and they've been running out of good places to review.

If you're willing to go west of 5th, there are a lot more really good options. Until you get into that area, your options for what you're looking for will probably be east of GC.

 

[RC94]

Great ideas and yes, by sit down I did mean "tables available" and not necessarily waiter service. We are going to check out Num Pang next. Sounds great. I haven't been to Oyster Bar in a long time and I was assuming it's more expensive than that. I like that idea and we are going to go back there too sometime soon. I have been wanting to go back anyway. I think I went to Food World a couple of years ago when I was still a management consultant and was working with a client in midtown. They have Mongolian BBQ, right? If I am thinking of the same restaurant as you, I liked that place and they do generally have some tables available so that's another good idea. Thanks for the other ideas too and midtownlunch.com. We are willing to go a little west of 5th, but 7th is probably the furthest.

 

[RUSF18]

Yep they have Mongolian at FW. I haven't had it in a long time because I have no depth perception and my self-selected bowl ends up being 2 lbs worth and I'm paying $20 for lunch.

Ton of options between 5th and 6th. There's a lot of food trucks on 46th between those streets, closer to 6th, across from a big courtyard with a lot of seating (although it gets crowded). Xi'an Famous Foods is on 45th (5/6) if you're looking for something different and Park Italian Deli is on the same block if you want great quality subs, plus great hot selections. Cash only.

And on the rare day you're willing to go towards 7th, Cafe Margon on 46th between 6th and 7th for the Cuban. Perfection.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

They just opened a Shake Shack in Orlando. 20 minute drive from my office, is it worth the drive? Those lines have to indicate a supremely good burger, no?

 

[Koya]

They just opened a Shake Shack in Orlando. 20 minute drive from my office, is it worth the drive? Those lines have to indicate a supremely good burger, no?

Lines indicate supreme lemmings.

It's good and not just the burger, but it's not drive to a line then wait, good

 

[RC94]

They just opened a Shake Shack in Orlando. 20 minute drive from my office, is it worth the drive? Those lines have to indicate a supremely good burger, no?

Lines indicate supreme lemmings.

It's good and not just the burger, but it's not drive to a line then wait, good

I agree, although very few things are worth driving to and then waiting on line for IMO. The Shake Shack in Grand Central didn't have much of a line even though we were there are around 12:30, otherwise we would have gotten something else. My office is very close to the original location in Madison Square Park and that one gets a very long line sometimes. I only go when I didn't have breakfast and am hungry for an early lunch because I won't wait on a long line for it.

 

[fantasycurse42]

They just opened a Shake Shack in Orlando. 20 minute drive from my office, is it worth the drive? Those lines have to indicate a supremely good burger, no?

Lines indicate supreme lemmings.

It's good and not just the burger, but it's not drive to a line then wait, good

verbatim how this should be explained.

 

[fantasycurse42]

http://i.imgur.com/R1G5qxK.jpg

Anyone ever gets to Brooklyn Heights, you need to go to Shelsky's... Best lox you will ever eat, almost guaranteed - The ultimate hangover cure too.

This sandwich above is amazing... It's the Great Gatsby. Pastrami smoked lox, horseradish cream cheese, red onions, honey mustard, caraway seed rye.

Best lox sandwich I have ever had hands down.

 

[fantasycurse42]

American Cut.

I loved it, thought everything was fantastic. My wife didn't see eye to eye with me and didn't like anything... First time we have had such a disagreement on the food.

http://i.imgur.com/ilg4SjU.jpg

Pastrami smoked ribeye, fantastic... Has an amazing smoked pastrami taste and the meet was very tasty. I'm usually a Bone-in strip eater, so the fattier ribeye isn't my style, but def worth trying, and if you are a ribeye eater that enjoys pastrami give this a shot.

I thought the cauliflower was fantastic, latkes were great, carrot was good, potatoes were good too... Wasn't a fan of the creamed corn. All things considered, highly recommend giving this place a shot.

 

[El Floppo]

Not looking like a great weekend but what an amazing week of weather we've had. Sleeping with the windows open at the end of July?

unbelievable.

I've actually been a little chilly on my morning bike ride to work. pretty nuts.

Had the HEAT on with the top down on my jeep heading to work.

I don't want to jinx anything, but it's Aug 7 and still just unbelievably beautiful. Little humidity and warm- not hot.

 

[Koya]

Not looking like a great weekend but what an amazing week of weather we've had. Sleeping with the windows open at the end of July?

unbelievable.

I've actually been a little chilly on my morning bike ride to work. pretty nuts.

Had the HEAT on with the top down on my jeep heading to work.

I don't want to jinx anything, but it's Aug 7 and still just unbelievably beautiful. Little humidity and warm- not hot.

This has been, simply put, a magnificent summer weather wise.

 

[El Floppo]

Oh- just walked North a bit today since it's so nice out and in the mood to hunt for something else to eat for lunch. Walked up Madison past the bank. and that bank. and that bank. and that bank. and a Starbucks. and a bank. Made a left down 44th or 45th... pretty much nothing (a couple of little-bit-o-everything deli-bar places) all the way to 6th. Headed South... and ended up grabbing a salad form Kayser.

There has to be something up there above 42nd between Mad and 6th?

Did watch a bit of Broadway in Bryant- every thursday they havea broadway show do songs on stage. It was Revolution today (never heard of it)... 80s style heavy-metal-lite.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Num Pang Coconut Shrimp

Although it doesn't fill me up... They also just closed the location near my office bc the building they were in sold

which location?

12th between 5th and University.

damn... that used to be my spot too. thoprw

Yeah this was a killer. It snuck up on me. That whole block including bowlmore is now shuttered and they are tearing it down.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Num Pang Coconut Shrimp

Although it doesn't fill me up... They also just closed the location near my office bc the building they were in sold

which location?

12th between 5th and University.

damn... that used to be my spot too. thoprw

Yeah this was a killer. It snuck up on me. That whole block including bowlmore is now shuttered and they are tearing it down.

NYU bought it all up and is putting up buildings, correct?

 

[El Floppo]

Num Pang Coconut Shrimp

Although it doesn't fill me up... They also just closed the location near my office bc the building they were in sold

which location?

12th between 5th and University.

damn... that used to be my spot too. thoprw

Yeah this was a killer. It snuck up on me. That whole block including bowlmore is now shuttered and they are tearing it down.

oh... right... part of that Bowlmore thing. I'm still stunned that Bowlmore is gone.

 

[kentric]

I hear they had to take a few cars off of the N line. Seems they had a bad case of bed bugs.

 

[Koya]

While I love my NY, god does LA have a lot of talent. And young impressionable not yet better than the world, talent.

 

[El Floppo]

Had to do an A/V meeting in SoHo (around the corner from our old office).

I miss SoHo.

 

[RUSF18]

Oh- just walked North a bit today since it's so nice out and in the mood to hunt for something else to eat for lunch. Walked up Madison past the bank. and that bank. and that bank. and that bank. and a Starbucks. and a bank. Made a left down 44th or 45th... pretty much nothing (a couple of little-bit-o-everything deli-bar places) all the way to 6th. Headed South... and ended up grabbing a salad form Kayser.

There has to be something up there above 42nd between Mad and 6th?

Did watch a bit of Broadway in Bryant- every thursday they havea broadway show do songs on stage. It was Revolution today (never heard of it)... 80s style heavy-metal-lite.

Between 5th and 6th north of 42nd has plenty of options. Between 5th and Park is nil.

 

[El Floppo]

Oh- just walked North a bit today since it's so nice out and in the mood to hunt for something else to eat for lunch. Walked up Madison past the bank. and that bank. and that bank. and that bank. and a Starbucks. and a bank. Made a left down 44th or 45th... pretty much nothing (a couple of little-bit-o-everything deli-bar places) all the way to 6th. Headed South... and ended up grabbing a salad form Kayser.

There has to be something up there above 42nd between Mad and 6th?

Did watch a bit of Broadway in Bryant- every thursday they havea broadway show do songs on stage. It was Revolution today (never heard of it)... 80s style heavy-metal-lite.

Between 5th and 6th north of 42nd has plenty of options. Between 5th and Park is nil.

fer instance? looking forward to something different

 

[RUSF18]

Oh- just walked North a bit today since it's so nice out and in the mood to hunt for something else to eat for lunch. Walked up Madison past the bank. and that bank. and that bank. and that bank. and a Starbucks. and a bank. Made a left down 44th or 45th... pretty much nothing (a couple of little-bit-o-everything deli-bar places) all the way to 6th. Headed South... and ended up grabbing a salad form Kayser.

There has to be something up there above 42nd between Mad and 6th?

Did watch a bit of Broadway in Bryant- every thursday they havea broadway show do songs on stage. It was Revolution today (never heard of it)... 80s style heavy-metal-lite.

Between 5th and 6th north of 42nd has plenty of options. Between 5th and Park is nil.

fer instance? looking forward to something different

43rd: El Rey Del Sabor cart (NE corner with 6th usually)

45th: Xi'an Famous Foods (noodle soups), Park Italian Deli, Sophie's Cuban, Antalia (Mediterranean - get a gyro to go or they have a good 2 course menu for like $13), Hun Yip (Chinese)

46th: There's a rotating group of trucks parked across from the courtyard closer to 6th that are worth checking out. Soom soom (falafel with an awesome salad bar of things to stuff in the pita, all that picked #### and grape leaves), Kosher Deluxe for decent pastrami, etc, Cafe Cello (roast pork), Akdeniz (Turkish).

Just went with the highlights but there's some other decent delis, better chains (Potbelly's on 45th)...point being, it's infinitely better than the area further east.

 

[Gawain]

I'm very glad that Elmo, Iron Man and Spidey have been busted in Times Square, now can we do something about all the ticket sellers on 34th street?

I love it when I have ten minutes to catch a train and there's about 12 vendors standing in a line blocking the whole sidewalk.

 

[Koya]

I'm very glad that Elmo, Iron Man and Spidey have been busted in Times Square, now can we do something about all the ticket sellers on 34th street?

I love it when I have ten minutes to catch a train and there's about 12 vendors standing in a line blocking the whole sidewalk.

On the bright side, squeegie men are back.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Oh- just walked North a bit today since it's so nice out and in the mood to hunt for something else to eat for lunch. Walked up Madison past the bank. and that bank. and that bank. and that bank. and a Starbucks. and a bank. Made a left down 44th or 45th... pretty much nothing (a couple of little-bit-o-everything deli-bar places) all the way to 6th. Headed South... and ended up grabbing a salad form Kayser.

There has to be something up there above 42nd between Mad and 6th?

Did watch a bit of Broadway in Bryant- every thursday they havea broadway show do songs on stage. It was Revolution today (never heard of it)... 80s style heavy-metal-lite.

Between 5th and 6th north of 42nd has plenty of options. Between 5th and Park is nil.

fer instance? looking forward to something different

43rd: El Rey Del Sabor cart (NE corner with 6th usually)

45th: Xi'an Famous Foods (noodle soups), Park Italian Deli, Sophie's Cuban, Antalia (Mediterranean - get a gyro to go or they have a good 2 course menu for like $13), Hun Yip (Chinese)

46th: There's a rotating group of trucks parked across from the courtyard closer to 6th that are worth checking out. Soom soom (falafel with an awesome salad bar of things to stuff in the pita, all that picked #### and grape leaves), Kosher Deluxe for decent pastrami, etc, Cafe Cello (roast pork), Akdeniz (Turkish).

Just went with the highlights but there's some other decent delis, better chains (Potbelly's on 45th)...point being, it's infinitely better than the area further east.

I used to rely on Midtown Lunch blog, but stopped reading when the guy moved to L.A. Any other good sources besides Yelp (or RUSF18)?

42nd is like the DMZ for me. I'm down on the bottom of Bryant Park, rarely go north. But I might now.

 

[RUSF18]

I actually meant to mention that in my post about the site...it definitely suffered once he put the NY site in other hands. Not only was he a gluttonous fat ###, but his writing was great. "Conquering the Chinese buffet" was an all timer.