Express Lunches @ Asian Beer Cafe & Father's Office

$9.50 Bento Lunch Box @ Asian Beer Cafe

The Asian Beer Café at Melbourne Central needs no introduction. Well known for its Asian inspired interior, central location, bustling ambience and amazing views out to Swanston Street, the Asian Beer Café is a great place for a bite to eat or a drink with friends.

Gastrology bloggers were recently invited to sample the new $9.90 lunch bento boxes. There are 4 different options to choose from such as Chicken, Vegetarian, Beef and Seafood, each of which adopts the Japanese concept of bento boxes but are distinctly south east Asian and Indian in terms of their contents.

Chicken bento

Beef bento

We found both were very flavoursome, the portions were big and each box had a great variety of flavours. Definitely a great value for money lunchtime proposition.

$15 Corporate lunch @ Father's Office

Located on Little Lonsdale St, Father’s Office Speakeasy Bar & Restaurant is designed in the style of a prohibition era, 1920s American bar.

The drinks menu continues this theme with a wide range of whiskeys and rums, as well as a variety of beers on tap. The food menu is largely American inspired and comprises both a more traditional a la carte menu as well as a bar menu.

Gastrology bloggers were recently invited to sample the new $15 express lunch menu. The wide range of options available for $15 includes a soft drink which can be upgraded to an alcoholic beverage for $2 extra.

Garlic and leek sausages

Chargrilled Victorian free range pork sausages topped with fresh spring onion and a house made stick jus laid on a bed of Californian mash

Roasted winter vegetable salad

Selection of seasonal winter vegetables roasted and tossed with baby spinach and cherry tomatoes through a house made balsamic vinaigrette then finally topped with pan fried Haloumi

We found the express lunch enjoyable, generously proportioned and great value – overall, a great workday option that won't break the bank.