Free Korean Food

This week there was a roaming food truck giving away free food to promote Korean cuisine. On Monday I was able to catch up with it near NYC's Bryant Park on 40th Street near 6th Avenue. They were giving away kalbi (barbecued marinated short ribs) with rice and salad compliments of a local Koreatown restaurant, Don Bogam. It was very good, but not substantial enough for a full lunch...more like an appetizer.

Kati Roll

On Feb 3 "Top Chef" contestant Angelo Sosa made a special appearance at Kati Rolls on West 39th Street. This tiny kati roll restaurant featured Sosa's Shrimp Masala roll ($5.50/each). It had freshly grilled spiced shrimp, but was small and I needed two to make a decent lunch.

Cafe Zaiya

It was another satisfying Zaiya Meal for $4.99 (including choice of beverage and tax). The cafe is located in NYC's Midtown on Sixth Avenue across from Bryant Park.

Today's lunch was steamed salmon, rice, broccoli, carrot, tofu and pickled veggies.

Lan Sheng Szechuan Restaurant

...is located at 60 W. 39th Street near NYC's Bryant Park. This new Szechuan restaurant is known for it's Dan Dan Noodles with Minced Pork Chili Vinagrette ($5.50). Although this is a hot appetizer it is more than enough for lunch. And it's spicy, but a little oily (don't wear a white shirt if you plan to order this!).

Divine Bites

...is another NYC Midtown Deli located at 1015 Avenue of the Americas near Bryant Park. They have the requisite sandwiches, pizza, hot entrees and tossed to order salad.

After receiving a promo flyer from someone on the corner of Broadway and 38th I stopped by to try their personal pizza $4.95 special (includes free lemonade). I guess I was one of the few people who ordered a personal pizza instead of slices from a regular pie because the pizza counter person had to make a fresh pizza for me. It took about 7 minutes to cook, but it was good - a regular tasting pizza.

I opted for a pink lemonade which was artificially sweet (it tasted like instant lemonade). But a fairly good deal for a midtown lunch.

Back to Le Pain Quotidien

...at 70 West 40th Street near NYC's Bryant Park for a little treat...a mini lemon tart ($1.50). They don't have a box small enough for these babies so they packed it in a regular box. It barely took up a corner of the box! But it's good for a little dessert after lunch.

Le Pain Quotidien

I went back to the NYC Bryant Park branch at 70 West 40th Street for a quick lunch.

They have a "grab and go" section of premade sandwiches and salads.

I had the Grilled Chicken Curry sandwich with cranberry harissa chutney, mango, meclun on organic five grain bread ($6.95). The curry was nice and chunky, but not spicy. The cranberry gave the sandwich a little sweetness and the bread had crunchy oats and seeds which gave the whole sandwich a nice texture.

I topped it off with a hazelnut flute ($3) which I mistook for a pastry. It's more like a small loaf of hearty bread with nuts and raisins. Not really what I was expecting, but it did taste good.

Back to Cafe Zaiya

It was another satisfying Zaiya Meal for $4.99 (including choice of beverage and tax). The cafe is located in NYC's Midtown on Sixth Avenue across from Bryant Park.

One of today's Lunch Specials was the mixed sandwich (1/2 sandwich each egg salad, tuna salad, ham with lettuce and tomato) with fried chicken (2 pcs) and pasta salad.

back to Cafe Zaiya

... on Sixth Avenue and 40th street across from Bryant Park. The salmon lunch special bento box has been updated - from plain white rice to seaweed rice, dried seaweed and broccoli ($4.99 includes tax and choice of beverage)

'wichcraft

is located in Bryant Park and offers the food served at the Southwest Porch. This haven in NYC's Midtown is sponsored by the airline. Comfy patio furniture, rockers and swings give city dwellers a reprieve especially in the warm weather.

I had the Grilled Gruyere Cheese sandwich with carmelized onions on rye bread ($5.95)and a ginger ale ($1.95). What a reasonably priced lunch for a chance to sit outdoors now that Spring is finally here!

Cafe Zaiya

I frequent this cafe located on the 2nd floor of a Japanese book store on Sixth Avenue and 41st Street across from NYC's Bryant Park.

One of today's lunch specials was the salmon bento box served with white rice, pickled vegetables and tofu. A very good deal for $4.99 (includes tax) with a bottle of water, hot tea or coffee.

Happy in Havana

Well, I was actually at Happy Hour in Havana NYC...a cuban restaurant in NYC's Midtown area near Bryant Park at 27 West 38th Street.

Weeknights between 3-7pm is Half Price Happy Hour. Specialty drinks and food are half priced.

"J" and I both a Margarita (each regularly $12, HH $6). Then we shared 3 appetizers:

Calamares Fritos – Fried Calamari with a Caribbean Cocktail Sauce (reg $12, HH $6)
Tri of Empanadas: lobster, beef, spinach & cheese (reg 3 for $10; HH $5)
Tostones Camarones – Shrimp in Garlic Sauce with green plaintains (reg $12, HH $6).

The drinks were weak, but the food was good although they served cocktail sauce with the calamari.

Liberty at Target

There will be a pop up shop featuring the new Liberty of London line for Target in NYC at the corner of 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue near Bryant Park. From the internet previews this line looks great!

NYC Fashion Week

Last night I attended the Perry Ellis Men's Fashion Show at the Tents in Bryant Park.

As with most fashion shows this started late (30 minutes) and ended quickly (10 minutes). The best part is the people watching. The audience usually outdresses the models.