Plan Jason’s lunch
Today is one of those days when I don’t feel like eating. All my favorite foods from my favorite lunch spots seem boring and unappealing to me. If I had access to an IV, I’d skip lunch, hook myself up, and get my midday sustenance that way. But as that’s not an option, what should I have to eat today for lunch? Options around Grand Central appreciated.
Update: I’m back from lunch. Thanks for all the recommendations.
Reader comments
kenMar 04, 2004 at 12:48PM
Is there an Indian or sushi joint nearby? Those are the two options that usually appeal to me when I don't feel like eating the same-old.
CraigMar 04, 2004 at 12:50PM
pastrami reuben at a jewish deli
KJCMar 04, 2004 at 12:50PM
I hate that feeling, and I get it all the time. Not that I would recommend doing it, how about just eating half a (big) bag of your favorite chips or salted snack, then hope you feel like eating next time your appetite comes around?
delMar 04, 2004 at 12:52PM
how about a spiritual discipline for lunch: a one meal fast.
if you're like me you eat at your desk often anyway, so set aside time to stop working and meditate on how fortunate you are instead...
helps me to stay grounded anyway.
ChipotleMar 04, 2004 at 12:56PM
Chipotle.
yiMar 04, 2004 at 12:57PM
i was just thinking what del was thinking: a one meal fast, plus drinking lots of water. but maybe take a midday stroll, buy a meal, to go, and offer it to someone less fortunate.
Cory DoctorowMar 04, 2004 at 12:57PM
Go to a Fourbucks and get three different decadent chocolate things and eat three bites from each.
unmuteMar 04, 2004 at 1:00PM
cheese sandwich. barring that, go for a snickers or a soy smoothie, depending on your taste.
AliciaMar 04, 2004 at 1:04PM
What, they don't have smoothies in NYC?
PeterMar 04, 2004 at 1:23PM
i think you should go to mcdonalds and supersize everything while you still can ;)
JonMar 04, 2004 at 1:23PM
I'm doing the one-meal fast in Wilmington, Delaware and took in an afternoon string quartet concert. I know NYC isn't quite the cultural spot Wilmington is but I expect you could find something satisfying.
Barring that, pick up a can of Spam.
BryanMar 04, 2004 at 1:27PM
I recommend a coke, a cold sandwich and a walk. I've had that feeling before and I don't think any food is really going to cut it.
JacobMar 04, 2004 at 1:30PM
You could try fasting.
MorganMar 04, 2004 at 1:31PM
On my way home I find it hard not to buy a slice of Bayou Beast pizza from Two Boots in GCT. (of course you could break the picket line and go to the Oyster Bar.)
Otherwise... count your blessings, there's more there then out here in the middle of Queens.
steve minutilloMar 04, 2004 at 1:32PM
Two words: "Dining Concourse". Get a panini. Watch the travelers come and go.
sixtoeMar 04, 2004 at 1:36PM
Take the rest of the afternoon off and go to Leo Burdock's chip shop in Dublin, Ireland.
Start here:
http://www.orbitz.com
robMar 04, 2004 at 1:41PM
When I feel that way I used to get something simple from the vending machine, like peanut butter and crackers. Lately, I've started stocking my desk with Slim Fast meal bars. The peanut butter ones are edible and are both filling and somewhat nutricious.
miahMar 04, 2004 at 1:46PM
Diamond Dairy Restaurant is right by there and a favorite spot of mine. It's a small little kosher restaurant that overlooks the Diamond exchange. Good food and an interesting scene going on down below.
travisMar 04, 2004 at 1:50PM
mmmmm.......peanut butter toast.
amitMar 04, 2004 at 1:52PM
wow, someone from wilmington, delaware. me too. well, i used to be. just had a great sandwich at wichcraft on 19th st between park and broadway. highly recommended, though not really anywhere near grand central.
djMar 04, 2004 at 1:53PM
I second the "walk" idea. Along the way, have an espresso and some samosas. You could take the 6 town to 28th and then walk back up while you eat.
AnilMar 04, 2004 at 2:01PM
I second the Chipotle! Chipotle!
djMar 04, 2004 at 2:09PM
/me is tempted to include a google textad javascript in the comments
Stefan JonesMar 04, 2004 at 2:09PM
I heard the bacala at Fugazzi's is pretty good.
megnutMar 04, 2004 at 2:12PM
So, do we get some closure on this thread? What did you end up doing for lunch?
jkottkeMar 04, 2004 at 2:17PM
Ok, i'm off to lunch...still don't quite know for sure what I'm going to do. I'll give a full report when I return.
BenjyMar 04, 2004 at 2:25PM
I'm in the same boat. I've been sitting here and thinking what sounds good for lunch for the past hour--it's not about 1:30. Getting hungry, but not sure what for...
Greg KnaussMar 04, 2004 at 2:26PM
A bug! Eat a bug!
BrianMar 04, 2004 at 2:30PM
Ollie's Noodle Shop!
It's in Times Square (yick), but their pork with garlic sauce is amazing.
monkeyinaboxMar 04, 2004 at 2:33PM
Well, it's Survivor Thursday, so pretend you're on the show, jump in the river naked and try and catch a fish.
tobyMar 04, 2004 at 2:44PM
fasting? what.. are you people crazy? salmon over a bed of brown rice with a dash or two of soy sauce.
AlainaMar 04, 2004 at 2:50PM
Looks like I'm too late for today's lunch, but if you are up for an inexpensive adventure, you could try Oms/b on 45th between Third and Lexington Ave. They serve creative versions of omusubi (Japanese rice balls). Here's a review.
WyclifMar 04, 2004 at 2:51PM
You can always fast tomorrow: it's an Ember Day.
CharlesMar 04, 2004 at 2:55PM
I second the Chipotle comment. Except that I am having to have less these days due to this.
RobinMar 04, 2004 at 2:57PM
it's evening here, so I'm not sure how much help I can be, but a good plate of bangers & mash always sorts me out, but you'll need company...
camMar 04, 2004 at 3:13PM
take lunch to some homeless people?
hosenpantsMar 04, 2004 at 3:25PM
whatever you do, I suggest NOT spending $20 on lunch every other day. damn! Mayhaps its easier to snack in NYC, but out here in Burbank...forget it.
jkottkeMar 04, 2004 at 3:37PM
I'm back from lunch. I set out with the intention of taking a short walk and then hit the nearest Chipotle, but I went by Hale and Hearty and the promise of Cauliflower and Cheddar soup lured me in the door. I grabbed a Caesar salad (somewhat healthy and I'm a sucker for croutons) but then found out they were out of the C&C soup so I had to go with Wild Mushroom with Potato. A pretty good lunch. Hale and Hearty is one of my favorite lunch places in Manhattan. I love soup and they make some of the best...good variety, they give you a nice bag of soup crackers, and they use quality ingredients.
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I'm definitely going to try out Diamond Dairy (w/ a lunch pal), Ollie's Noodle Shop, and Oms/b.
Two words: "Dining Concourse". Get a panini. Watch the travelers come and go.
I eat in the Dining Consourse in Grand Central about 3 times a week. I usually spend about half the time reading and the rest of the time watching people.
A bug! Eat a bug!
When I said "thanks to everyone" above, I meant "thanks to everyone but Greg".
Scott JohnsonMar 04, 2004 at 4:00PM
I didn't see this post until after you had already finished lunch, but I wanted to recommend that you go with your IV idea. That seems to be the easiest solution yet!
John DowdellMar 04, 2004 at 4:33PM
Fasting one meal may not be as useful as making sure that an entire day has http://www.google.com/search?q=intermittent+caloric+restriction
While we're on the subject, has anybody seen my car keys...? ;-)
John DowdellMar 04, 2004 at 4:34PM
fix: "day has less than 70% of maintainence calories:"
Joseph WainMar 04, 2004 at 6:00PM
If you go to Ollie's, get the cold sesame noodles. Best dish there on the menu, bar none.
jamesMar 04, 2004 at 8:06PM
Jason is my hero! He asks for lunch suggestions, the sheep line up to hopefully be the one he chooses, and then he goes someplace no one picked!
Classic.
philoyeMar 04, 2004 at 9:02PM
Hale and Hearty? You mean, of course, "Hale and Hearty Prices" right? Soup and salad will set you back somewhere in the neighborhood of $9 right?
Paul HewsonMar 04, 2004 at 9:29PM
Leo Burdocks Fish'n Chips in Dublin has some really greasy Fish and/or Chips. But with a little bit of vinegar it's damn tasty. Is it the best Fish 'N Chips shop in the world?
JBMar 05, 2004 at 5:20AM
You guys eat such odd things...
tomcosgraveMar 05, 2004 at 7:32AM
Paul Hewson??? AKA Bono?
Or someone taking the piss, Dublin style? Heh.
This thread is closed to new comments. Thanks to everyone who responded.