Bouley Market
Bouley Market Kitchen
OK so we’re in an economic slump….if you’re here in NYC on a business expense account, congratulations! You’re one of the chosen few! But for the rest of us, when it comes to lunch, a soup and a sandwich will just have to do. But before you rush out to a dubious vendor or bodega, remember Bouley Market in Tribeca at 120 West Broadway. If you can pay about as much as the corner deli and seek quality, then this is the place to dive into a smorgasbord of top cuisine prepared by Chef David Bouley…..only this is not white tablecloth but cafeteria style.
Here you get to pick and choose from house-made offerings like butternut squash, red lentil, and long island duck soups. A turkey sandwich may sound mundane, until you savor the organic meat topped with their homemade rustic honey mustard bursting with tang. If they have it when you visit, grab a skirt steak roll. Here, the term “salad bar” doesn’t do this offering justice because it usually has lots of great 5 star hot food like beef stew, roast chicken, and lasagna. My other favorites include their incredibly light quiche with ham and gruyere cheese and grilled vegetable pizza.
For baked goods, get there before 12 noon for their best selection of fresh baked flaky and sinfully buttery chocolate and almond croissants. They use a variety of organic flours to create specialties ranging from saffron walnut, hazelnut, lemon, to their dark and crunchy crusted boule. If you have room, top it off with a chocolate butter cream cupcake. Don’t worry, you’ll burn it off and better yet spend under $15 if you keep it simple.
photo courtesy of diluvi on flickr.com
