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First Impressions: Little Muenster
The fourth in a series of flash reviews of the restaurants at Hudson Eats in Brookfield Place. Previously: Black Seed Bagels, Num Pang Sandwich Shop, Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque.
I first went to Little Muenster for breakfast, when I ordered the egg-and-cheese sandwich. I happen to think the one at Morgan’s Market is perfect, especially if you ask for it to be salted and peppered, and it’s only $2.75, so the prospect of a $5 egg-and-cheese didn’t thrill me. The eggs at Little Muenster were scrambled (I prefer fried); the cheese was white American (or cheddar, if you like); the soft bun had been griddled (I like a bun with more texture, and toasted); and the bread dominated (rather than, say, the eggs). And yet it was hot and fresh and good by any definition. And I was pleased to grab the free temporary tattoos of cheese graters for the kids I’d be hanging out with over the weekend.
All of which made the sandwich I had for lunch an even greater disappointment. Grilled cheese sandwiches aren’t my personal comfort food, but I do know that they shouldn’t be dominated by the bread, that there should be more than two thin slices of cheese, that the cheese should be melted. The sandwich in question involved Gruyere, pickled caramelized onion, and arugula. None of the sides were available except soup and chips, so I ordered the tomato soup. It had a metallic tinge that I could ignore when I dipped the sandwich in—anything to make it less bready—but on its own the soup was inedible.
Both times no one asked if I wanted my order to stay, so I threw away way more waste than I would’ve liked. For the egg sandwich, I hardly needed a shopping bag. And for my lunchtime soup and sandwich, I certainly didn’t require a fork.
How was Little Muenster for you?
P.S. A general thought regarding Hudson Eats: Free wi-fi would be nice. Even airports are doing it.
Recent New Kid on the Block/First Impressions articles:
• Hudson Eats: Black Seed Bagels, Num Pang Sandwich Shop, Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque
• Tutto Il Giorno
• Union Bar + Kitchen
• Bâtard
• Il Principe
• Arcade Bakery
• Sweet Green
• Hotel Hugo
• El Vez
• Racines NY
• Juice Press
• Daruma-Ya
• By Suzette
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3 Comments
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I ordered the braised fennel one but they were out, so I got the classic because it’s my policy to always order something less expensive than what I wanted when someplace doesn’t tell me in advance what they are out of. It came with 2 cornichons, one rather small and pale. I am a non-cook but could probably do this at home. It’s just ok and really needs one of the cheeses to be a little more flavorful to perk it up. I guess I was expecting a dedicated grilled-cheese place to make it more special. The bread was nicely browned on the outside, however.
A moment of silence for the Croque Madame at Les Halles, the way they used to make them before things started sliding over there. That was a grilled cheese that was worth going out for.
Love this: “it’s my policy to always order something less expensive than what I wanted when someplace doesn’t tell me in advance what they are out of.”
The space that had the coming soon sign now sez it’s going to be Northern Tiger.