1.6 litre diesel or 2 for 1 burger?

I was renewing my car insurance recently. Nothing odd about that, the usual ritual of spending ages trawling numerous comparison and quote sites, searching for the best quote, calling here, there and everywhere to try and bargain, and, being a young male, failing miserably in most cases!

It’s long been a part of Irish society to try and get a few bob off here and there, and this “cute hooreism” is even more important nowadays, with the dreaded r word still upon us! Anyway, between grappling with engine sizes and no claims bonuses, I spent hours upon hours researching, for a reward of €50 less than I was currently paying. A great result some might say, and I was rightly delighted!

Until, that is, I thought about the time spent and money off that I gained and compared it to something else, something many people do at least four, if not five days per week, and put a lot less though into – eating out! (Of course it would come back to food for someone so entwined in mylunch.ie , but that’s no bad thing is it?!)

Anyway, I put my thinking cap on. If I ate out only four times per week for the year, spending on average €8.50 a pop, this would come to a grand total of €1,598 (based on a 47 week working year). My car insurance, from quite a reputable Irish insurer came in at no less than 1,100 euro, down from 1,150.

Would it not make much more sense then, to spend a similar amount of man hours on my lunchtime experience?!

It’s quite easy to see how spending even 5 minutes per day on our site could save you literally hundreds of euro per year. A 2 for 1 deal here, a €2 off deal there, free dessert perhaps, or even just searching the site for daily lunch specials.

The reason we set up mylunch.ie was that we wanted to publicise the amount of great lunch deals which were available out there, and all of these small savings add up very quickly. We’re very passionate about all things lunch as you can see!

And also, isn’t it much more enjoyable browsing for lunch options than it is entering your engine size and age into an insurance site?!

Anyway, I just wanted to relate our site to something which we all have to do yearly, and which we all try to save money on.

Stay hungry!

Shane from mylunch.ie

Dun Laoghaire, Aztec Cuisine, Picnics and Fish and Chips!

First of all sorry for the lack of updates, we’ve been very busy trying to get you the best specials lunch deals, vouchers and comps that we can. As our devoted followers know, we own lunch, so come and have a look!

The upside to this is that we’ve got lots of news for you! There have been numerous new additions to mylunch.ie in recently, and we have some very exciting newbies coming online in the next while.

Out in Dun Laoghaire, the FOWC may be over for the year, but there is some good news for you seasiders! There are two new retailers on site from your neck of the woods, and by all accounts, two popular ones. The Royal Marine Hotel, which once played host to Laurel and Hardy for 33 long days and nights (especially the nights!) is now live. The historic hotel overlooking the Pier has an excellent menu, and warm atmosphere, with the Hardy’s Club Sandwich (only €10 with sides) a favourite of ours. The Royal Marine also offers a special 2 for 1 to mylunch users, so grab a friend and go for lunch by the sea.

Back up in the town, Harrys Cafe Bar is a neighbourhood fave. The funky and relaxed diner is open 7 days a week, and their lunch specials are not to be missed. Try a cheeseburger & fries for only €8.50 plus a FREE mineral/tea/coffee. Check the full menu here.

From the seaside, to Dublin’s best loved fish and chipper (see that for a smooth link eh?). Beshoffs on O Connell Street has come on board. So we all love a healthy salad for lunch, but hey, lets not kid ourselves, there’s nothing more tasty than vinegar soaked fresh cut chips and flaky battered cod. With a wide selection of fish dishes starting from €4.95 and a special mylunch offer of Smoked Cod & Chips or Sausage, Beans & Chips for only €5, Beshoffs is not to be missed.

With Mexican fever taking over Dublin it seems, Cafe Azteca is the daddy of the scene. Based on Lord Edward Street near Christchurch, Azteca is ideal , whether it be a quick bite, lunch meeting or special occasion venue you are looking for. So who wants to try the footlong burrito then?
Check out the Azteca voucher too!

Finally, in Georges Street Arcade, where the gorgeous Lolly and Cooks is also housed, Urban Picnic is now on board the mylunch train! High quality, fresh hand-made food, with a unique atmosphere and decor, Urban Picnic has a huge P.M. lunch menu, which includes Roasted Salmon Fillet with Cous Cous & Steamed Greens Teriyaki Reduction € 8.95. Sounds good!

Just a couple of other things to wrap up, we would love your feedback on how we can improve, so be sure to fill out our 60 sec survey if you get a chance. Also if there’s a lunch place that you simply love, and must have on site, please let us know!

Oh and by the way, stay tuned for two very special announcements in the coming weeks, which will change the face of lunch in Dublin as we know it, and soon (*strokes cat while laughing manically*) the whole country...!

Return to the Southside: Aviva Aviva Ándale Ándale!*

The brand spanking new Aviva Stadium (Lansdowne Rd. to the traditionalists out there) opened it’s doors for the first time last Saturday week. With a space age structure forming what will now surely be seen as one of Europe’s finest stadiums (the less said about the miniscule North Stand the better), the spiritual home of Irish rugby and soccer is back! Along with this, a 50,000 capacity stadium is sure to bring it’s fair share of hungry people to the area, and more about that later.

First of all a closer look at the raw data behind the stadium, which is set to hold its first competitive fixture on Wednesday night (Airtricity X1 1 Man Utd 7  is not competitive!), with our boys in green hosting Leo Messi’s Argentina. In engineering terms, the project was a massive feat, with the area occupied nearing 64,000 sq m, and a need for a low North Stand, to preserve sunlight into the adjoining houses. 5,000 tonnes of structural steel was used in construction, with 4,000,000 man hours involved!

As per the Aviva site, enhanced press facilities mean space for up to 200 journalists (increasing to 400 for certain events). There are 10,000 seats at premium level and a further 1,300 at box level many of which have already been sold for years in advance, while it is estimated that 70,000 pints of stout and lager, 3,000 hot whiskeys, 2,000 portions of fish and chips, 4,000 speciality ‘Aviva’ gourmet burgers and 5,000 hot beef sandwiches will be served on any given matchday (of course the hot whiskey sales will go up dramatically on a cold 6 Nations rugby weekend!).  This will be supplemented by 900 catering staff, and 48 chefs (who presumably will be worked off their feet!)

Impressive eh? Plus with both the soccer and rugby boys enjoying a period of good success, the stadium will be full on many occasions in the coming years.
But with the hiatus to Croker, have you forgotten where to eat in the area? Ireland’s best lunch deals site can help here! We’ve got lots of options to feed hungry match goers.

The aptly named Lansdowne Hotel on Pembroke Road offers a daily chef’s special which today for example  is Lasagne for €7.00, as well as a full selection of delicious paninis and wraps from €5.50, and a full lunch menu.

The traditional watering route from the city centre, down Baggot St., has a number of options. The Baggot Inn (Homemade Baggot Burger €10.00), The 51 on Haddington Road (Chicken Curry €9.90) and Millers  (Oaked Irish Smoked Salmon €7.50) are all great options for great value lunch in Dublin.

Maia  on Shelbourne Road (Pasta of the Day + Glass of Wine €12) and Ocean Bar  on Grand Canal Dock (Chefs Daily Pasta €9.50) are also great lunch options in the area, while for an Asian inspired meal, try Kanum, where you can avail of free prawn crackers when you mention mylunch.ie.

So now you are armed with all the information on both the stadium and surrounding lunch deals, all that’s needed is Brian O Driscoll scoring a few tries or Robbie Keane netting a cracker from 25 yards to cap off a great day!

Of course these lunch specials are available throughout the week also, and many are updated daily on www.mylunch.ie

*So who got the Speedy Gonzales reference in the title then?!

Sources: www.avivastadium.ie www.irishtimes.ie

Dublin Lunch: The mylunch.ie al fresco options #2

Following the success and good reception of our last post, we at mylunch.ie have decided to give you some more options for outside dining in Dublin. We’re hoping that if we keep writing posts about good weather, it might stay around a while longer, or return as the case may be!

Tribeca
The enthusiasm, and eclectic New York orientated menu of Tribeca has been constantly winning admirers in the past while. Situated in Ranelagh, Tribeca stands out from the crowd with a unique position right in the centre of Dublin’s self styled food village. Its tasty lunch time offering is a staple of workers in the area, and with a daily updated special menu, usually consisting of omelettes, pasta, fish and other dishes, plus a huge standard menu, you will be spoilt for choice. Topping this offering off is a street-side terrace which rivals anything seen in the Big Apple, and which usually buzzes with atmosphere in this foodie orientated part of the world. Tribeca’s menu is available here, with the daily updated specials, including omelette, pasta and soup options are available here.

The Unicorn
A firm tradition of workers in the Baggot St. area, The Unicorn offers both contemporary and traditional Italian cuisine using only the best ingredients, and for great value. Staples of the lunch menu include bruschetta, fresh fish dishes, and of course some of the best pasta options that Dublin has to offer. With a full and impressive wine list, and an even more impressive page dinner menu, there is no surprise that The Unicorn has been a firm favourite for two decades. The restaurant comes alive when the sun is shining, and the covered terrace, which is just off Merrion Row, is a perfect slice of a Mediterranean town transported to Ireland. Currently on mylunch.ie, we are offering a free dessert with your lunch, with an onsite voucher, so you can enjoy a free tiramisu as you watch the world go by! Check out The Unicorn page here.

Merrion Square
As was stated in the last blog post on this topic, Dublin in the Summer is full of leafy parks and green areas to wile away a lunch hour in bliss, with Merrion Square the epitome of this. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Baggot Street and the overlooking Government Buildings, the square provides the opportunity to enjoy ones lunch in perfect tranquility. Again, there are numerous take-away dining options within the area. These include:

Itsa...
Since 2004, Itsa... has served fresh bagels, home-made soups and goodies, as well as tea and coffee from mainly Irish suppliers. A tasty pick me up at lunch time, Itsa... bagels also reach the holy grail of a good value, healthy lunch option (€6 euro for any bagel and a tea/coffee). The premises is in well located, and suited to grab and go, meaning enjoying a “Californian” (onion bagel with bacon, avocado, mozzarella, lettuce, basil and mayo) in the shade of Merrion Square is an experience you should not miss!

Spar
Our second option is the flagship Spar store on nearby Merrion Row. The gold fronted retailer offers numerous food concepts (including noodles) for lunch on the run, as well as a small seating area. Current specials include sandwich of the day plus an apple for €2.99, and any roll, Hunky Dory crisps and Spar water for €5, while other favourites include skewered chicken satay and pre-made fresh salads.

So there you have it, there are plenty of options on mylunch.ie for outside dining to help you make the most of those rare sunny Summer days, as the last two blog posts have shown. We promise to arm you with the information, all you have to do is find a spare spot in the open!
Stay tuned to the mylunch.ie blog for more great value lunch offers, competition and vouchers...

mylunch.ie supports Street Feast: A lovely lunch with your neighbours on July 18th!

We here at mylunch.ie strive to offer you the best deals, offers, vouchers and competitions to optimise your lunchtime experience. From the start we have always been big believers in the social side of lunch, and the importance of this in Irish society. God knows the country could do with a bit of good news now and again, and we strive to bring that news, and to put a smile on the face of you and your colleagues daily. So it was very exciting for us to hear about the Street Feast idea.

Social entrepreneurship is an area that has been dramatically growing in Ireland, as people place less and less value on material items, and more and more emphasis on relationships, community and the wellbeing of others. Ventures such as Street Feast are the epitome of this new found outlook it seems.

The basic premise is that on 18^th July 2010, a day of local lunches will be held across the country, hosted by neighbours. The aim of this, as organiser Sam Bishop states, is to “encourage communities all around the country to hold a party... and to rekindle Ireland’s sense of community which appears to be dwindling away”. This can be a garden party, a field day, street party, a plain old BBQ held on the local green, or a club or community group get together. The type of feast doesn’t matter, the main thing is to bring people together, and have fun for the day with full bellies! Each Street Feast is self-organised, and will be as different as the neighbourhood that hosts it.

The team of passionate young innovators behind Street Feast began work on the concept in September last year, and the Street Feast name was coined in March 2010. The idea is to inspire, and to aid the rebuilding of Ireland’s community spirit, through the medium of lunch, while having barrels of fun doing it! Street Feast is a not for profit venture, and is receiving backing from orgs. such as Leargas, the European Youth in Action Fund, and Challenge Europe, a British Council led Youth Initiative.

To underline the D.I.Y. aspect which Street Feast is based on, the group held a once off free lunch, dubbed Flash Feast , as a launch party on Dublin’s Dame Street on 15^th June 2010. This was subsequently featured in the Irish Times, and involved the setting up of a large picnic table on the plaza beside City Hall, (the venue was only announced earlier that day through the web) and stuffing those who got there full of a selection of salads, quiches, bread, soup and desserts!

A quote from the chef for the above Flash Feast, James Parrott, summed the idea up perfectly for us here at mylunch: “Street Feast is a chance to sit down with people you probably see every day but never talk to, sharing food is a great way to build friendships and break down barriers.”

This reflected our thoughts exactly and mylunch.ie is proud to support Street Feast, and will be attending our local feast come 18^th July. We feel that togetherness can be a big part of eating, and we have long since advocated that lunch mylunch.ie can be a bonding exercise for workplaces, so there’s no doubt it can be for communities too.

For much more information on this great idea see the Street Feast website, Twitter or Facebook, or follow mylunch.ie on Twitter or Facebook. Alternatively, why not hold your own feast in your local neighbourhood? You’ll be the talk of the street for weeks! (More info here) Oh and one more thing, check out the 6 reasons to hold a Street Feast on the colourfully designed site, as it’s sure to inspire you!