Spencer Rubin
For over 30 years, Stribling
and Associates has
represented high-end residential real estate, specializing in the sale and
rental of townhouses, condos, co-ops, and lofts throughout Manhattan and
Brooklyn, and around the globe. Stribling has more than 200 professional
brokers who use their respected expertise to provide personalized service to
buyers and sellers at all price levels. A separate division, Stribling Private
Brokerage, discreetly markets properties over $5 million, and commands a
significant market share in this rarified sector of residential real estate.
Stribling is the exclusive New York City affiliate of Savills, a leading global
real estate advisor with over 200 office in 48 countries.
Check out their listings:
& their most recent State of the Market: http://www.whomyouknow.com/2013/12/remarkable-real-estate-stribling-fall.html
Whom You Know Congratulates their new President, Elizabeth Ann
Stribling-Kivlan: http://www.whomyouknow.com/2012/12/breaking-manhattan-real-estate-news.html
It's not who you know, it's Whom You Know and now we know Spencer Rubin, Founder of Melt Shop. Though we applaud elegant, extraordinary cuisine, we also cheer for grilled cheese at Whom You Know, and this is the most impressive cheesy venture we've seen so far, and the only one we believe we've ever published on. Cheesy in a literal, not figurative way of course. Ever hear of a Truffle Melt? We had not either...
Right now there are four locations of Melt Shop, and we visited the original at 53rd and Lexington, which is as casual as they come. The seating is outdoor, and it really is literally takeout (unlike most of what we feature in Terrific Takeout, which is formal and sit-down). Spencer's daily routine is not to be behind the window of course, but at our photo request he smiled behind it.
Our favorite was the Truffle Melt. Havarti, Truffle Oil and Arugula on Sourdough should be your next lunch or dinner, and we are still mourning its passing in Peachy's stomach. Every bite was casual decadence and know that ideas like this come from a Cornell degree. This is not a random grilled cheese shop on the corner! A lot of thought has gone into Melt Shop.
Their packaging is delightfully hilarious!
Observe that winning ooze of havarti again, this time partying it up with smoked turkey, because maybe life would be boring if you ate the Truffle Melt every day. Roasted tomatoes add color, flavor and juiciness without any soggy and truffle mayo on multigrain will ensure you do not stop at one sandwich.
Their dill pickle is crisp with the proper amount of bite, and definitely something you should munch on next to the sandwiches.
Most essential, however, is the shake. Their shakes are hand spun and they don't mess around with flavors! Look at the creative list:
Of course, because of our pure devotion to chocolate ice cream, Peachy picked chocolate and though it is not on the list, Melt Shop made us chocolate. Note that on their site the menus are not the same at every location, and remember we went to the one at 53rd and Lexington. Jovan was a super server and friendly.
Spencer told us another best-seller is the Fried Chicken, above. Fried Chicken, Pepper Jack, Red Cabbage Slaw and Melt Sauce on Sourdough is another smashing concoction.
Melt Shop is Terrific Takeout!
Bravo Spencer.
