ISO lunch on the UES! Help!

spinningpinwheel

So I work on the Upper East Side, mid 60's. My last job was in Rockefellar Center, which is lunch heaven for those who don't have the pleasure of experiencing it. I'm talking lunch specials left and right, choices galore, when you get sick of one you move on to the next deliciousness.

Now that I'm up north, sandwiched between midtown sleaziness and upper east priciness, I'm seriously hurting for decent lunch places. Does anyone else work in this area? What's your secret? I need variety! I'm starving!!!

alafairnadia

Subject: Re: ISO lunch on the UES! Help!

spinningpinwheel wrote: So I work on the Upper East Side, mid 60's. My last job was in Rockefellar Center, which is lunch heaven for those who don't have the pleasure of experiencing it. I'm talking lunch specials left and right, choices galore, when you get sick of one you move on to the next deliciousness.

Now that I'm up north, sandwiched between midtown sleaziness and upper east priciness, I'm seriously hurting for decent lunch places. Does anyone else work in this area? What's your secret? I need variety! I'm starving!!!

two ideas that have worked for me:

head east - there are some big hospitals over there with lots of hungry people. 1st and 2nd ave are full of delis and restaurants.

if you're more central, near madison or park, go to a grocery store - they usually have salad bars, deli counters, hot soup. gristedes and food emporium both work on this front.

spinningpinwheel

Thanks Alafair - I'm familiar with the grocery story secret and covet it, but that's where my need for variety comes in. There's only so much salad bar and supermarket sushi a girl can handle.

Your advice to go east is exciting though - I'm on Lex, and while 1st Avenue certainly isn't next door, its worth exploring. In this veritable lunch wasteland, I'll do just about anything for a selection of take out lunch special.

alafairnadia

spinningpinwheel wrote: Thanks Alafair - I'm familiar with the grocery story secret and covet it, but that's where my need for variety comes in. There's only so much salad bar and supermarket sushi a girl can handle.

Your advice to go east is exciting though - I'm on Lex, and while 1st Avenue certainly isn't next door, its worth exploring. In this veritable lunch wasteland, I'll do just about anything for a selection of take out lunch special.

you may be able to find stuff as close as 2nd ave. good luck!

pitu

Pret!

that is, chain store (and 30 Rock lunch favorite) Pret-A-Manger
they're further east too

avocado/parm/pignoli samich
turkey/cranberry samich
yogurt/honey/fruit b'fast
butternut squash soup, vegan yet mysteriously delicious

there's also a groovy japanese grocery with prepared foods at 57 (or 59?) around 2nd/3rd Ave