Ever since I started my new job, my cheap Japanese lunch choice has been cut in half. My usual choices when I was working at 43rd and Madison were Oms/B, Zaiya and Zaiya in Kinokuniya. Occasionally Chiyoda and Yagura. Now that I work right on the same block as Oms/B by Lexington, it’s way too far to walk to Kinokuniya at 6th Ave. The regular Zaiya, Chiyoda and Yagura are doable even though they are all the way at 41st St and Madison, but during some hot crazy temperature days, it is so much more convenient to just walk down to Oms/B.

So for the past month or so, I pretty much eat at Oms/B everyday sans the days that I would be at some more expensive restaurants like Totto Soba, Sakagura, Sakae Sushi, or Menchanko-Tei. Or the days that I would be meeting Scott at the original Zaiya.

Well I am so happy to find out from my friend (Thanks Philip!) that Zaiya just open up a new branch called Café Zest at the the previous Japanese convenience store location on 47th between Lexington and 3rd! It’s selling the same food as in the other Zaiya location but more~ (Nice pasta!!) not to mention it’s as nice looking as the Kinokuniya location! According to Midtown Lunch, Zaiya will also open up an actual restaurant on the second floor called Nonoca in August. That brand has already appeared in the pre-packaged lunch in Zest, so I can’t wait for Nonoca to open as well!

I didn’t take any picture as today was still their grand opening days and it was packed and the line was ridiculous. So borrowed some from Midtown Lunch.

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2. Yet another one bite the dust
3. Subway there and subway here
4. Why are people dressing up today?
5. Cooking Experiment

Tagged: food · Japanese · Midtown · New York · Restaurants