Discover Takeout Only

Yes, there are numerous choices in the Union Square area for lunch, and Rainbow, since it is takeout only, might not be the best choice for anyone who wants to have a sit-down meal. However, the falafel sandwiches are so well prepared that we might have to say they are the best we have ever had. On a nice day, it was the perfect spot to grab some lunch, sit outdoors, and enjoy the sunshine, the passersby, and some delicious falafel.

By eating in the restaurant, (Shade Bar on the corner of Sullivan Street) you can enjoy a salad, a sandwich or a selection of crepes with a glass of wine. If you are in a hurry and need a tasty snack, then head to the service window on West 3rd Street for a Crepe to Go.

On more than one occasion, as we walked 45th, a long line snaked out of BentOn, a small takeout eatery. This tiny gem provides authentic Japanese bento boxes to the lunch crowd in Midtown, a welcome break from traditional American fare. When striking up a conversation with a Japanese businessman who had stopped by for lunch, he shared his opinion about the food, saying that he felt it had been modified a bit for American palettes, but was as close to authentic as he had tried in Manhattan. The bento boxes vary per day and are served alongside their specialty drinks.

René Henricks, a longtime inhabitant of the East Village, feels fortunate to have spent decades being able to walk to work. After spending time as a bartender at a Latin American restaurant on East 1st Street, she eventually took over the small space across the way to give her something to do between shifts. The kiosk had undergone many transformations since the 1930s, first as a shoeshine stand, then a newspaper stall, a flower shop, and even a front for a marijuana dealer, before it became Juicy Lucy Juice Bar. Three years later, René opened a second location on the avenue to attract more customers. All of the drinks and açaí bowls are made in small batches on the spot using produce that is delivered daily. “You can’t get fresher juice anywhere else unless you make it yourself, ” René asserted. As such, her regulars continue to return for both the delicious juices and the relaxed, friendly atmosphere that pervades Juicy Lucy. “I have been lucky to watch the progression of families here. ” The kiosk holds sentimental value for many who are accustomed to visiting Juicy Lucy or passing by its corner spot every day. “The East Village has afforded me a nice lifestyle. I’m really grateful to it. ”

Punjabi was the very first business that I stepped into during the summer of 2011, when I first began walking on the side streets of Manhattan. Every time that I was in the East Village over the next few years, I always made a point to stick my head inside and say hello. I worried about Punjabi being able to survive, as the construction on Houston/1st Street was intruding more and more on their space. The deli has been in this location for over twenty years, and was accustomed to having multiple cab drivers lining up outside throughout the day and evening. For quite a while, the street was not accessible to vehicles, but somehow everyone still managed to figure out a way to get to Punjabi and grab some of their award-winning, vegetarian, Indian fare, or simply a cup of coffee and some snacks. Voted the best Punjabi Cab Driver Chow in 2003, the deli was a great introduction to my sidewinding experience on 1st Street. In 2016, when the construction outside started nearing completion, the lines out the door came back. Most recently when I dropped by, collection of people from every conceivable country ordering their food, saying hello, and moving on. Just ask one of the numerous cab drivers lined up outside – "Punjabi is the place to be. " Who could ask for a better review?