Lunch Break: Vietnamese Food Or Italian Sandwiches
Kick off the long weekend with sandwiches to make you swoon, Vietnamese in an unlikely location, or a place that will satisfy the vegetarians alongside the omnivores. By Yvo Sin.
Vermicelli
1492 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10021
(212) 288-8868
vermicellinyc.com
In the land of wine bars and just plain bars, Vermicelli stands out as a rare Vietnamese restaurant along this stretch of 2nd Avenue. Even more rare is a lunch menu like theirs: well under $10, and boasting such Vietnamese classics as a few types of pho (a rich, deeply flavored soup that is simmered for hours, served with rice noodles and various toppings), bun (vermicelli noodles mixed with salad to create a refreshing bowl of happiness), and even banh mi (a sandwich served on French baguette with distinct Vietnamese flavors). If you're a bit hungrier than that, opt for the box lunch menu - $6.95 - $7.50 - and receive a vegetable Imperial Roll, soup, salad, steamed rice, and your choice of various curries, vegetable and meat dishes. Try the suon nuong, the grilled lemongrass pork chops.
Sorriso Italian Pork Store
4416 30th Ave
Astoria, NY 11103
(718) 728-4392
If you haven't already figured out that sometimes, a grocery store isn't just a grocery store, well, this may be the time to go on faith and check out Sorriso. Inside, you'll find a standard Italian grocery store, along with a deli counter that has plenty of antipasto options; marinated mushroom salad, octopus salad, housemade mozzarella and house-cured sausages... and sandwiches to make your mouth happy. While you wait, enjoy samples of their mozzarella and occasionally their soppressatta - which will lead you to buy extra for later...after enjoying one of their huge, inexpensive sandwiches. Add this place to the list: it's going into your weekly lunch rotation.
Mooncake Foods
Locations in Hell's Kitchen, SoHo and Chelsea: check website
mooncakefoods.com/
With three convenient locations and a varied menu, there is no excuse for why you haven't gone to Mooncake Foods yet. The menu runs the gamut from Chinese and Japanese standard fare, to sandwiches and tacos and more, with bright, fresh flavors brought together in new ways. Try the ginger cilantro pesto soba with chicken or tofu, miso glazed salmon, Asian pear and chicken sausage salad - there are also plenty of vegetarian-friendly options to sate the non-meat-eaters!
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Yvo Sin is the founder and head writer of The Feisty Foodie.
