The Lunch Quadrant: Canal Street
5 photos
<p>This week we cover Sau Voi, Westside Coffee Shop, Imperial No. Nine and Excellent Dumpling House</p>
<em>(<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/24pNiQ72V7ZTg6bvHKXjuw?select=4jWpBWc1YupGF8v6zP3D7A">Judy K</a> on Yelp)</em><br/><strong>Sau Voi:</strong> In the back of this general store (think Asian pop, undergarments) is a glass countertop that serves some of the better banh mi in town. And the price is pretty right too—the sandwiches start at $4. The original sandwich is the place to start, but the other options (including a sardine banh mi) are worth trying. <br/><br/><em>101 Lafayette Street, between Walker and White Streets, 212-226-8184</em>
<em>(<a href="http://midtownlunch.com/downtown-nyc/2010/11/01/its-worth-the-long-walk-to-west-side-coffee-shop/">Midtown Lunch</a>)</em><br/><strong>Westside Coffee Shop II:</strong> To be fair, Westside is a diner so it's really more of a sitting spot. But since we always seem to get our orders here to-go we're counting it as a standup. Sue us. Anyway, if you are hungry in the neighborhood this gem of a Latin diner will not disappoint. Whether you opt for the enchiladas combo ($8.50 with rice, beans, and salad), the burgers ($4), or any of the Dominican dishes on hand, we'd be thoroughly surprised if you leave hungry. <br/><br/><em>323 Church Street at Canal, 212-334-0185</em>
<em>(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/urch/3543896277/in/photostream/">Urch</a>'s flickr)</em><br/><strong>Excellent Dumpling House:</strong> We've written about this <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/12/13/chinese_food_on_christmas.php#photo-3">dumpling house before</a> but what we said then remains true. The dumplings at this house really are excellent. And if you are like us and live for a solid scallion pancake, well, again this is your spot. The only problem is that because the food is good and cheap and the space is so close to tourist central, the lunch rush can be, uh, nuts. So plan accordingly. <br/><br/><em>111 Lafayette Street, between Canal and Walker Streets, 212-219-0212</em>
<em>(Imperial No. Nine)</em><br/><strong>Imperial No. Nine:</strong> <em>Top Chef</em>'s Sam Talbot just opened <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/03/01/photos_sam_talbots_imperial_no_9.php#photo-1">Imperial No. Nine</a> in the Mondrian SoHo last month, and if you've been wanting to try it without braving the dinner scene, lunch is a safe option. We can't vouch for the food ourselves but friends have told us good things about the <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/52349152/Imp-No-Nine-Lunch-Menu">lunch menu</a>, which includes a burger with a fried egg (pictured, $18), beets with bleu cheese and almond semi-freddo ($11) and toasted cous cous with a slow poached egg and charred squash ($14). Plus, the kitchen is <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/03/10/sam_talbot_wears_rogan_clothes_some.php">very well dressed</a>. <br/><br/><em>9 Crosby Street, between Park Avenue South and Broadway, 212-389-1000</em>