Miss Thrifty's guide to ‘doing lunch’
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Whatever happened to lunch, did Gordon Gecko steal it?
Don't get me wrong, I don't demand my employment contract to enshrine my right to a daily Roman banquet, but I do demand that if I tell my boss I'm popping out for lunch they won't look at me as if I'm asking for the donation of a kidney.
If you’re ever in doubt about leaving the office, just ask yourself what the late great Keith Floyd would have done had he ever had to choose between a 'desk dined soup-in-a-mug', or a cosy lunch of fresh oysters and a glass of Tatty Bolly.
This week Miss Thrifty found a few purse-friendly lunch spots and if you’re feeling lucky don't forget to enter the Fallon & Byrne lunchtime competition .
Best for a big feed - Green Nineteen – 19 Camden Street Lower, Dublin 2
The club nineteen sandwich served with homemade chips for €8.50 isn't going to break the bank, and if you’re after something more substantial neither is the €10 you could spend on Green Nineteen's chicken supreme with a mushroom, cream and lemon zest mash. Be warned however, a plate of chicken and mash, no matter how delicious, will probably have you drooling over your computer by 3pm, so I advise you add an espresso for €1.50.
Best for light lunch - Fallon & Byrne, 11 -17 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2
I love Fallon & Byrne - I love the smell, I love the freshness and I love the fact it doesn't cost a fortune.
The Fallon & Byrne menu changes quite regularly - I found a selection of light bites and salads starting from €6 and pretty decent pasta dishes from €7. The seriously luxurious amongst you will no doubt be ordering the seafood platter, €10 will get you delicious Connemara smoked salmon, potted shrimp and salt cod, fresh brown bread all dressed with capers and lemon.
If you’re feeling lucky why not enter The Savvy Shopper Competition to win lunch at Fallon & Byrne for you and a friend.
Best for comfort cooking - Ard Bia, Spanish Arch, Galway
Ard Bia serve a selection of sandwiches, soups and salads from 12pm until 3pm Wednesday to Friday. The Chorizo, Gubeen cheese and onion jam sandwich is priced at a purse friendly €6.50 and anyone after a hearty lunch will appreciate the delights of the fresh Saffron Seafood Chowder with luxury soda bread - at a very reasonable €7.50.
Healthy choice - Wagamama - Cork / Dublin
Wagamama is perfect if you need to pop out quickly and for a lunch on the lighter side. Now open in Dublin and Cork, those who've tried it swear by the delicious chicken teriyaki noodle soup, which, if ordered between 12-5pm comes with peach ice-tea (or a Tiger Beer) for under €10.
Best for lunch with the girls - Milano Dublin/Cork/Galway/Limerick/Killarney
As offers go this one’s pretty good. You and a friend can enjoy two pizzas at any Milano's Restaurant for €12 by going online and printing off a voucher. With drink and a tip your lunch comes in for under a Tenner each.
Valid at any Milano Restaurant before October 4th. Visit - http://www.milanooffers.ie/
Lunch for the lads - Gourmet Burger Co, 97 Ranelagh Road, Ranelagh Village, Dublin 6
As burger joints go the Gourmet Burger Co is more than decent and if you’re stuck for inspiration try the Kobe Burger served stacked high with slices of beef tomatoes, red chard and onion and wasabi dressing.
They’ll even send you a voucher for 20% off your lunch bill which can be redeemed Monday to Wednesday when you email info@gourmetburgercompany.ie .
By the time you've taken the discount off it's not much more than Burger King.
Sinead Van Kampen is the editor of The Savvy Shopper. For a rundown on fashion and food bargains plus regular insider tips visit TheSavvyShopper.ie website.
- Sinead Van Kampen
