Their success…at some point or another we’ve all been faced with that grueling lunchtime dilemma. You flounder back and forth at your desk weighing your options. Do I want something light? Should I grab something quick and easy? You want to stay close to the office but everything feels worn and over played. The lunch struggle is real. At least it was real. Welcome, Verde Curated Greens. Sierra Tishgart of Grub Street describes Verde as the “fine-casual salad spot” that “could be a lunchtime game-changer”. I think she’s onto something.

The menu includes beautifully plated grab and go dishes with the perfect ratio of mixed greens and sophisticated, complex dressings and sauces (try the Pesto in the fingerling potato salad). The greens are not your run of the mill iceberg or arugula, we are talking a delicate arrangement of farm fresh mache, frisee, swiss chard, castel franco, and whatever else is in season at the Union Square farmers which is frequented almost daily. Salads range from $11 to $13.

While the salads may steal the show, it’s the protein sides that elevate these dishes to the next level. From in-house smoked arctic char to coconut shrimp ceviche to immaculately grilled NY Strip steak, these proteins knock it out of the park. Proteins range from $2 to $5.

That’s not all. You know those stealth menu items that seem to fly under the radar and always way under appreciated? Those items that once you are in on the “secret” you feel like you just joined some underground fight club. You smirk at the person behind the counter when you order it, they give you a head nod back to re-confirm your insider know-how. At Verde, this is their broth. It’s robust, flavorful and fresh. The broth is everything.

From the moment you walk inside you’re immediately immersed in a space that blankets the outside world into the abyss. The décor, smells, sounds, art work, ambiance and airiness all resonate with tasteful and eloquent design.

Stacked with culinary aptitude, founders Gonzalo Gout, CIA graduate and Cosme alumni, and Alejandro Porteny, hospitality expert and entrepreneur, these two set forth the perfect balance of culinary expertise and business acumen.

Take Aways…Verde Curated Greens is a breath of fresh air in a city that all too often gets caught up in the everyday minutia. Not only will your taste buds enjoy their stay, the atmosphere will leave you (spoiler alert!) wanting to post up with a glass of wine to relax with friends in good company.

Hours: Monday-Friday 11:00am – 8:00pm

Location: Verde, 22 W 25th St., between Broadway and Sixth Ave.

Phone: 646-838-0700

Their Success . . . When Ivan Orkin opened his first ramen shop in Tokyo, he was entering uncharted territory. In 2007, here was a man from Long Island, New York opening a ramen shop in its birthplace, and no one knew what to expect. After opening, Ivan Ramen only grew in popularity and soon thereafter expanded to a second location in Tokyo. The draw? Ivan Ramen offered a unique take on a classic Japanese noodle dish. From these ventures, Ivan Orkin gained quite some notoriety.

Mr. Orkin has since handed over the reins of his two Japanese ventures to his longtime chef and manager, Hisao Matsumoto. He is now entirely focused on his two New York City Ivan Ramen ventures, the Slurp Shop located in the Gotham West Market and the flagship location at 25 Clinton St. in the East Village.

The East Village location seats about 40 noodle slurpers and its aesthetic is a mélange of clean, refined décor and vivid explosions of powerful color. The space has both traditional table seating as well as two bar areas where diners can saddle up and enjoy Ivan Ramen’s offerings. The larger bar area looks onto the kitchen, which is exposed by a large cutout in the wall space. Above is a colorful mural, depicting diners thoroughly engrossed with their bowls of soup.

The food itself is Ivan Orkin’s own unique spin on the identifiably Japanese dish. Mr. Orkin combines the flavors of his Jewish heritage with the more traditional Japanese palate of taste to create something truly unique. The broth is rich and flavorful, and the noodles offer a decidedly earthier, chewy texture than of that found in more classic ramen spots. The Spicy Red Chili Ramen in particular perfectly combines the flavors of old and new, all the while offering heat that is not overwhelming.

The menu features cold and hot appetizers as well as a number of ramen varieties to choose from. Additionally, ramen add-ons are listed at the bottom of the menu, some of which are traditional and others more adventurous. While the space itself is not overly large, the kitchen is efficient and completes orders quickly. Ramen appears almost as soon as you have finished ordering. The bowls range from $15-$18, slightly expensive as far as ramen in New York City goes, but well worth it for Mr. Orkin’s unique take on the dish.

Take Aways . . . Ivan Ramen offers an experience that is simultaneously familiar and new to New York City ramen fans. The space is clean, inviting, and engaging, offering a great place to eat and hangout with friends, or quickly fill you up and get you out the door. Whatever you choose, be sure to slurp your soup for the full experience.

Ivan Ramen

25 Clinton St.

New York, New York

10002

(646)678-3859

Their Success . . . Chelsea Market can be hard to navigate for the uninitiated. Between the masses of tourists and locals traversing the space every hour, and the various nooks and crannies hidden within the market, it can be a daunting place for even the most hardened New Yorker. However, if you are willing to brave the crowds, you can find some delicious food at the recently opened Dizengoff.

Your best bet for finding the restaurant is to enter Chelsea Market from the 9^th Ave entrance. From there, simply head to the first set of food stalls on the left (directly across from the Chelsea Wine Vault), and you have arrived! Walk up to the counter, place your order, and take your order number from the cashier. From here, simply take a seat anywhere at the counter and observe the open kitchen while you wait for your food. Pitas are baked in an open oven directly behind the counter and its great fun to watch the process firsthand.

Food comes out quickly and is reasonably priced for the location ($10-$13) – perfect for a quick workday lunch or a mid-afternoon nosh. The menu features three hummus options: plain, vegetarian, and meat. While these three options remain the same, what you get when you order them will change depending on what is seasonal and available to chef Emily Seaman. Each hummus plate comes with a fresh-baked pita, chopped salad, and Israeli pickles. Feel free to buy an additional pita for $1 extra – it’s worth it and you might need it considering the sizable portion of hummus.

In addition to these standard offerings, Dizengoff also offers a Thursday night three-course family-style meal beginning at 7:30pm. The meal is $45 and, like the regular menu, constantly changes. The one constant of the meal is a good reason to try it out: all the pita you can eat! For an additional $21, you can add a wine pairing option to your meal. These dinners are already sold out through the end of the year, so make a reminder to keep an eye out for January tickets when they go on sale in December!

Take Aways . . . Part of the fun of eating at Dizengoff is watching the operations of the kitchen while you eat. If you can’t stay for the show, pitas and hummus are available in larger quantities for takeaway. The food is plentiful and satiating, but doesn’t leave you feeling heavy for the remainder of your day. Dizengoff’s model is a good one for the space – food that is easy to prepare in large quantities and can be served quickly during busy rushes. Because the menu is constantly changing, impressed diners won’t get bored and will be drawn back to see what’s new and how it compares to their previous orders.

Dizengoff

Chelsea Market

75 9th Avenue

New York, New York

10011

646-833-7097