4:00pm whoopie pies

The best part of a frantic day of running around was stopping in at the office for a brief moment to discover a surprise delivery from Pickle Petunia. I opened a box full of a loving array of variations on the classic whoopie pie. It broke my heart to run out of the office without even time for a bite but much later on in the day, when there was finally time to stop and breathe, that box of cookies disappeared pretty damn quickly. A loud thank you Pickle Petunia for bringing us much needed holiday cheer!

We're off next week, off from blogging, not off from lunching of course. Happy eating!

Cafe Fiat, with Hong

Phew, the past couple days have had us running around ragged and before I knew it, we were closing up the office and running to catch planes and trains. So a belated post featuring an unexpectedly yummy bresaola sandwich from Cafe Fiat yesterday. We were looking for a quick lunch but forgot that the Italians are not exactly known for their rapidity of service. In the end we were quite pleased to have taken a warm, cozy moment to enjoy a superbly priced lunch at Cafe Fiat.
Cafe Fiat, 203 Mott St, NY, NY 10012 (btwn Kenmare and Spring)

4:00pm triple ginger cookies

We stopped by a client's new place today and on the way out the door he asked us if we would like some triple ginger cookies that he had baked for a bake-off. Never one to refuse baked goods, even if his triple ginger cookies didn't win the bake-off, we wrapped 2 up in a napkin. They were pretty damn good and now I'm wondering how much better the winning dessert could have been.

Pio Pio

We are so in love with every single aspect of the lunch special at Pio Pio that seriously the first 10 minutes after the meal has been brought to the table we are too busy relishing in its comprehensive deliciousness to even talk. Later on one of us will try and start a conversation but it quickly falls to the wayside as the meal reinserts itself into our senses and we succumb to its siren song. This happens to us every time.
Pio Pio, 210 East 34th St, NY, NY 10016 (btwn 2nd and 3rd)

4:00pm holiday red velvet cupcake

Somewhere between Dean and Deluca and the office the name of the bakery who baked this holiday red velvet cupcake completely flew out of my mind. The only trace left is something wonderous wonderful wandering? The frosting had an unusual taste to it, something undefinable; the entire thing verged on almost flavorless despite the flavors gamely present.
Dean & DeLuca, 560 Broadway, NY, NY 10012 (at Prince)

Despana, with Valcucine

Lunching and learning today courtesy of Valcucine, purveyors of fine Italian kitchens, stairs, cabinets, furniture and pretty much everything that is fine and from Italy. Many of our lunch and learns come from Despana, their proximity to the office is too convenient. I'm glad we don't have an ordinary midtown deli nearby or we'd be munching on bland turkey warps instead of the rather nice bocadillo tradicional with serrano ham.
Despana, 408 Broome Street, New York, NY 10013 (btwn Lafayette and Centre)

4:00pm cookies

A gust of wind came gusting up the sidewalk as we left lunch and we whimpered (well I whimpered, M doesn't whimper) all the 2 short blocks to Eileen's for their usual array of splendidly delicious cookies.
Eileen's Special Cheesecake, 17 Cleveland Pl, NY, NY 10012 (btwn Spring and Kenmare)

La Esquina, with Hong

Before I could spend too long looking over the menu, Hong said "My ideal meal would be half a pollo rostizado torta and half a pescado taco." With a big lingering question mark. I quickly acquiesced and we split the two entrees. There have been some changes since we last had lunch at La Esquina, most notably: the delicious grilled ejotes (green beans) are sadly only available at dinner and the sandwich now happily comes with fries instead of chips.
Cafe Select, 212 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012 (at Kenmare)

4:00pm rainbow cookies

Aha, I knew I had read a tidbit somewhere about the holidays not being complete without these Italian tri-color cookies but Karen didn't think they had a particular association with Christmas. If I search only "tri-color cookies" then I get nothing in particular about them being served on the holidays but if I search "tri-color cookies holidays" then I do get some results from people for whom the holidays would be incomplete. It's like statistics, it all depends on how you input your date and interpret the results.
Ferrara Cafe, 195 Grand St, NY, NY 10013 (btwn Mulberry and Mott)

Brick Lane, with Hong

When sister is in town our lunches usually revolve around what meals can't readily or tastily be had in Berlin. M and I are happy to let her choose so today we ordered in from Brick Lane Curry. Their menu feels so expansive (and expensive!) that we could eat here every week for a year and still not have had everything. Like the keema samosas, of which I have no memory of having tried before.
Brick Lane Curry House, 306-308 E. 6th St, NY, NY 10003 (near 2nd Ave)

4:00pm cranberry scone

Despite yesterday's freak disappointment from Oro's vanilla cupcake, going for their scrumptious scone seemed like a fantastic idea. Thank goodness this one was not a let down.
Lafayette Espresso Bar & Marketplace, 189 Lafayette St, NY, NY 10013 (below Broome)

Wild Ginger

Taking advantage of the fact that I'm on my own for lunch today, I decided to indulge in some vegetarian food. That may seem rather paradoxical, but that's the way we roll around here at Lunch. Admittedly my choice of Sauteed Tofu & Vegetables didn't excite. However I found joy in eating food fit for monks and savoring the so-so miso soup.
Wild Ginger, 380 Broome Street, New York, NY 10013 (btwn Mott & Mulberry)

4:00pm vanilla cupcake

I'm such a slacker! Forgot to post this captivating photo of an actually rather disappointing vanilla cupcake from Oro yesterday. We are rarely, if ever, disappointed by anything from Oro so it was a bit surprising to bite into this off-texture, gooey-like cake with an almost too lard laden frosting. Strange days.
Oro Bakery, 375 Broome St, NY, NY 10013 (btwn Mulberry & Mott)

Pan American, with Hong

It's the 2 week anniversary of super new-to-the-hood, Pan American, bringing all sorts of nuevo latina flavors to our taste buds. We didn't order the made-to-order guacamole, sent to the table compliments of the house, but we should have. Fresh and lovingly balanced, we couldn't stop ourselves from devouring it with the accompanying homemade chips. We should have  stopped ourselves because the sandwiches were large and filling and we left sated and stuffed. Pan American, we welcome you!
Pan American 202 Mott St, NY, NY 10012 (btwn Kenmare and Spring)

4:00pm pumpkin bread

Harney & Sons opened up a gigantic tea shop down the street from us and I went by today hopeful for some new dessert pickings. But the savory and sweet selection is meager, it is a tea shop after all. And even though the gluten free, milk free pumpkin bread was rather good, $6 is a bit too much for our daily dessert.
Harney & Sons Soho, 433 Broome St, NY, NY 10013 (btwn Crosby and Broadway)

Shanghai Cafe, with Hong

It's been 2 months since Hong was last here for lunch but some things never change. Shanghai Cafe. Rice cakes with shredded pork and pickled cabbage. Pork soup dumplings. Dry sauteed string beans. The waitress did look at us aslant when she saw it was just the 2 of us sisters and maybe too much food but we couldn't seem to forgo any of our favorite dishes. We had had a meh experience the last time Hong was here so we were exceedingly relieved to find everything as wonderfully delicious as usual.
Shanghai Cafe, 100 Mott St, NY, NY 10013 (btwn Hester & Canal)

4:00pm snowflake cookies

Given how reasonably priced most of Once Upon a Tart's desserts are, I'm always taken aback by the $3 price tag for their festively decorated holiday cookies. But it's a celebratory time of year so Saturday, walking around the neighborhood, I splurged on two pretty ones, even knowing we wouldn't eat them until today. What a relief they were still decently enjoyable and not too stale.
Once Upon a Tart, 135 Sullivan Street, NY, NY 10012

Saha Thai

One of us (not me) fractured a bone in her foot while traipsing around Ethiopia so our lunch radius is going to be a little smaller than usual while the bone heals. In the meantime we (she) hobbled over to Saha Thai, conveniently around the corner from our office, to have a nourishing meal of chicken noodle soup with the most perfectly bland chicken. The chicken was perfectly fine but an additional ingredient to the soup wouldn't have been a bad idea.
Saha Thai, 227 Centre St, NY, NY 10013 (above Grand)

4:00pm wreath of madeleines

A wreath of madeleines for you, for the office, for a Friday afternoon waiting to be over. Next week we are back to our normal M+Y lunches, it's been a long period of solo lunches and lunch adoptions so it'll be nice to get back into the usual rhythm of things before the holidays fall upon us.
Oro Bakery, 375 Broome St, NY, NY 10013 (btwn Mulberry & Mott)

Oaxaca Taqueria, with Rich

The stretch of 4th Avenue in Brooklyn between Carroll and Atlantic is full of bars but strangely absent of lunch spots. I only found Oaxaca Taqueria through vigorous and detailed google maps searching. It was the perfect place to pop in for a quick lunch. The tacos are nice, nothing astonishingly special, but a solid lunch and at a decent price ($6.95) for 2 tacos of your choice plus a small side of rice and beans.
Oaxaca Taqueria, 250 Fourth Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215 (near President St)

4:00pm plum tart

The great thing about potential new client meetings in the West Village is Claude's Patisserie. I especially love walking through the deserted streets in the morning when all the shops are still closed and then coming upon Claude's, where, in the winter months, the windows are in a perpetual state of steamy warmth.
Claude's Patisserie, 187 West 4th St, NY, NY 10014 (btwn 6th and 7th Aves)

Jup She, with Ray

Ray kindly agreed to postpone a long walk for hand pulled noodles and have a more local lunch at Jup She instead. But Ray's easy like that, and I always support a craving for kimchi. Especially when it's piled on top of a steaming bowl of bulgogi hotstone bibimbap.
Jup She, 171 Grand St, NY, NY 10013 (at Baxter)

4:00pm peanut butter cookie

No one was happier than I to see the office had picked up lunch from Hampton Chutney. As I rushed out the door to my own lunch, I remember thinking I hope they remembered to pick up some cookies. Never one to disappoint, they picked up just enough for me to break off half a cookie to accompany a much needed afternoon coffee.
Hampton Chutney, 68 Prince St, NY, NY 10012 (btwn Crosby and Lafayette)

Caffe Falai, with Sarah

I could think of nowhere closer or warmer than Caffe Falai to the bookstore so we hustled into the bustling interior for the somewhat indulgent 2-course lunch special. I'm quite fond of the asparagus frisee salad, although Sarah's avocado salad looked equally as appetizing.
Caffe Falai, 265 Lafayette St, NY, NY 10012 (below Prince)

4:00pm chocolate financier

The bite size financiers from Patisserie Colson are a big favorite with the office, they can be found nearby at Nolita Mart or at their point of origin in the BK. The chocolate ones are particularly beloved here.
Patisserie Colson, 374 9th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215 (at 6th Ave)

Calexico, with Harvest

Yesterday I took a walk along Broome when I noticed a familiar face, long missing from our lunch scene, the Calexico cart! Back on Broome! I immediately informed the office, who then confirmed via twitter that yes Broadway and Broome is back!!! So we lost no time today in gathering up the troops, tromping outside in the cold to tough it out for the 15 minute wait. Well worth the chill, for upon our return to the office we immediately stuffed ourselves silly with heavy rice and bean laden burritos.
Calexico, Broome St near Broadway, NY, NY 10012 (north-east corner)

4:00pm chocolate covered pretzels

Ah the devotion of the office mates to the monthly potluck, Samara spent 3 hours assembling 2 tins of chocolate covered pretzels just so we could reveal in the sweetness of bite size treats.

Office Potluck

Team A really brought their game on for this month's office potluck; a wintery harvest of earthy dishes filled the table and our bellies. At the rate we're progressing with potluck lunches, we're going to have to invest in a real stove soon. I started marinating a brisket Saturday afternoon, we consumed it with a vegetarian chili by @trashrockx, butternut squash soup by @sriandthecity, more butternut, in a risotto from @mixonic and both salad and dessert courtesy of @sammaarra.

4:00pm malted milk ball blondies

Got this email this morning:
Kristy sent some malted milk ball blondies in this morning. They are freaking delicious.
So I basically waited all day with bated breath for afternoon dessert time to see if they were indeed, freaking delicious. And yes, confirm, they are. If only everyone had a Kristy baking for them.

The Smile, with John

 I'm not exactly sure what prompted me to have lunch at the Smile, given our last unremarkable meal there. But oh well, sometimes you gotta try again. John enjoyed his roast beef sandwich but I was pretty disappointed by the "bibb" salad. Mostly because it wasn't even bibb lettuce but a handful of splayed out green leaf lettuce. The chicken was uninspired, the whole salad looked like sliced chicken breast served on a garnishing bed of lettuce. The atmosphere is warm and cozy for a winter day and at least the salad dressing was good, but not too much else worth writing home about.
The Smile, 26 Bond St., NY, NY 10012 (east of Lafayette)

4:00pm cranberry scone

Scones aren't exactly classic afternoon dessert material, but I could eat the cranberry scones from Oro Bakery all day long. Crunchy bits mixed with chewy dried cranberries and just enough fresh sweetness in the batter - what's not to devour?
Lafayette Espresso Bar & Marketplace, 189 Lafayette St, NY, NY 10013 (below Broome)

Cafe Kristall

I've been perusing Kathy's Lunch for One posts, looking for the serenity of solo lunching. Recently opened Cafe Kristall in the rear of the Swarovski crystal store is, as Kathy points out, a fancy ladies-who-lunch type of place but it's also a haven of tranquility. Wallse Chef Kurt Gutenbrunner creates a light menu for Soho, very lunch oriented with an abundance of salads and a handful of everything else. The yellowtail salad was a perfectly balanced combination of ingredients while the chicken consomme I enjoyed but could have been a trifle less salty for my tastes.
Cafe Kristall, 70 Mercer St, NY, NY 10012 (btwn Broome and Spring)

4:00pm financier

Wow, I could not have predicted how fresh and moist this one day old financier from Financier Patisserie would be. It's virtually impossible to tell that it's been sitting on my desk since yesterday. This one is a bit sweeter than I would normally prefer, but turns out to be perfect accompanied by a strong dark cup of coffee.
Financier Patisserie, 2 Astor Place, NY, NY 10003 (at Broadway)

Brinkley's, with Kristina

There is a fierce wind and rain whipping up the streets outside, which is why KO and I made it no further than up the block to Brinkley's, where it was blissfully calm and serene. I had not tried their burger yet and was pleasantly surprised at what a solid bar burger it proved to be. A little too much on the meat, I mean that was a lot of meat, but well grilled, good taste and accompanied by that most surprisingly rare of buns - the perfect squishy soft one. No more yummy pork sliders but the burger might make up for that omission.
Brinkley's Pub & Kitchen, 408 Broome St, NY, NY 10013 (at Centre St)