The City Bakery – LOST GEM
Arriving on 18th and finally getting to share my passion for The City Bakery with some of the team was ideal for me. I have been taking friends to my favorite lunch spot for years and now I can spread the word to all of Manhattan Sideways readers, too. Chef Maury Rubin’s “man of the seasons” persona rubs off on this exotic salad bar that also has phenomenal baked goods, (especially the pretzel croissant), outrageous hot (and cold) chocolate, terrific soups, fried chicken macaroni and cheese…and did I mention the salad bar? Simply the best. Set up cafeteria style, there is an array of choices to fill up a plate. Every time I eat here, I go overboard, but with no regrets. I have my favorites, especially the green-pea crusted tofu with wasabi dressing, sugar snaps with spearmint, and corn salad with feta and lime, but even when they are not available, I always find something delicious to substitute. Everything is so fresh, since the food is sourced from the nearby Union Square Greenmarket. I appreciate the atmosphere, perhaps as much as I do the food. The concept is simple and it works well – grab a plate, pile on whatever looks appealing, stand on line to pay, order a drink, something delectable from the lineup of sweets, and then find a table either downstairs or up above. Customers can sit for as long as they like and take in the crowd, but it is especially important to savor every bite of the meal.
