If you’re lunching on an expense account, Columbus Circle affords some of the finest options in the city — Per Se, Landmarc and Masa.
Grabbing a bite on a budget, though, is another story. At some point, even Whole Foods’ by-the-pound buffet and takeout sushi gets tired. Here’s a week’s worth of options to add to the rotation, all priced at $10 or less.
BOUCHON BAKERY $$ (pictured above. Photo: Deborah Jones)
Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 3rd fl., 212-823-9364
Don’t think you can afford Thomas Keller? Think again.
Tucked between the Landmarc and casual Bouchon Bakery café, is a to-go counter with items from the café menu priced $3-$5 less.
Our picks: Herbed tuna nicoise sandwich smeared with olive tapenade ($9.25); a dark, meaty chicken soup with herb dumplings ($8.25) that’ll cure any aliment. Budget right and you’ll have enough left over for a giant cookie ($2.50) or pistachio madeleine ($1).
CARNEGIE JOHN’S ¢
W. 56th St. at Seventh Ave., northeast corner, no phone
Three words: Get the burger.
John makes it to-order on a flat top grill, pressing his spatula onto the patty to give it a good char. (This technique is known as the “smash method.”)
After the American cheese has softened, John gently transfers the patty onto a sesame-seeded bun, half of which has been ketchuped. On the other half, tomato slices and a handful of crinkled iceberg lettuce wait — plus onion and pickles, upon request.
Our pick: Isn’t it obvious? The burger is just $4.50.
SZECHUAN GOURMET $
242 W. 56th St., 212-265-2226
With 43 lunch combinations under $10, ordering here can be daunting.
May we make a suggestion? If you can handle it, go spicy. The cuisine of the restaurant’s namesake province is known for packing heat.
Our picks: Anything with chili is outstanding at either of the two Midtown locations; in its take-out container, the soupy braised ma paul tofu with chili minced pork ($7.95) actually separates into layers of different shades of red. Go ahead, we dare you.
KASHKAVAL FOODS $$
856 Ninth Ave, 212-581-8282
It’s impossible to have an under-$10 sit-down lunch at this charming Mediterranean market and wine bar, but the front deli offers several satisfying, good-for-you combos for takeout.
Our picks: Your choice of either baked elephant beans or French lentil salad ($8) or one of two types of chicken salad ($9), includes a small salad and one of three sides — we like the baked beets.
AQ KAFÉ $$
1800 Broadway, 212-462-0005
This list wouldn’t be complete without AQ Kafé, where a Scandinavian influence dresses up even the most ordinary items. Sorry, pretty blondes not included.
Our picks: The turkey sandwich ($8.95) benefits from lingonberry jam and herbed mustard, in addition to the regular accoutrements. For something heartier, and decidedly Swedish, try the meatball sandwich ($9.50), which is dressed with pickled cucumber, lingonberries, mashed potatoes and cream sauce.
Borders:
Seventh Ave. to Ninth Ave.; 56th to 62nd sts.
Key:
¢= less than $5
$ = $5-$8
$$ = more than $8
'I've never seen fire sitting on the water' Three Newsday photographers talk to NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland about covering the tragic crash of TWA Flight 800 in 1996.
'I've never seen fire sitting on the water' Three Newsday photographers talk to NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland about covering the tragic crash of TWA Flight 800 in 1996.
