Guinness and Burritos together? A match made in heaven!

Things move so fast in the lunch game that we thought we’d provide you with a summary of all the happenings on site in the last week or two!

Firstly Burritos and Blues on Camden Street has been earning rave reviews, and with the week that’s in it, they are offering a special Arthurs Day Steak & Guinness Burrito for €7, on Wednesday and Thursday only! So as if you hadn’t enough of an excuse to get Guinness into you, here’s another one!

Their special Sexy Salsa Fries (€3.50) have been kept on by popular demand too, and are very tasty indeed. Oh and if you fancy a burrito after celebrating on Thursday, there are rumours that Burritos and Blues will be open very late that night! Rumours that they are stocking up on their Level 4 hot sauce to blast porter dampened tongues are said to be unfounded

Altogether now....TO BURRITOS!!

Also stay tuned today (Monday) for an extra special giveaway of 5x Arthur’s Day tickets. The event sold out weeks ago and we’ve got our grubby little paws on some! Bring 4 friends and you will be kept in Guinness all night!

The Streat in IFSC are new on site, and we’re really excited to welcome them! Fresh food, fabulous coffee and friendly service is what they’re all about, and they are perfect for lunch in the IFSC. Another reason they are perfect is they offer mylunch users a great voucher of Buy Any Signature Sandwich or Wrap & Get One Free, at any time of the day!

So the Autumn evenings are setting in and you're tired this week?  mylunch has your lunch sorted, but you’re finding it difficult to get the energy to make dinner?
Well Nude on Suffolk Street have a special mylunch voucher this week, giving the holder a 2 for 1 on all stews between 5-7pm daily! Check them out in Dublin 2.

Our competition this week is very popular! Kevin and the gang at Chai Yo on Baggot Street have kindly offered us a 4 Course Meal for 2 people with Bottle of Wine. Chai Yo is newly refurbished and another great option for lunch in Dublin 2 . With deals including a 2 Course Lunch only €9.50, or 3 Course Lunch only €12.50, plus their fabulous Teppen Yaki menu, this place is a must try! Check out the pics on their Facebook page to see what Teppen Yaki looks like, and befriend them for more deals and exclusive offers!

Two more big things to let you know about: Sinnotts on South King Street now offer mylunch users a Free Soft Drink with a Lunch Main Course with our voucher, (hint: get the Sinnotts card for a further 10% discount!) and Itsa... the lovely bagel store on Fitzwilliam Lane (off Baggot Street Lower/Merrion Sq. West) has unveiled a new Bright Start Breakfast Menu from 8.30-11.30 a.m, for those looking for breakfast or an early lunch!

All this and much more on mylunch.ie, be sure to join us on Facebook and Twitter for all the goings on too, and the latest news as soon as we get it!

Book now to avoid dissapointment!!

You might not want to think about it yet but the office Christmas Party is on the horizon.
As we all know this is the social event of the office year, and if you’re in charge of booking you hold power unrivalled by any other!

With this power comes great responsibility, and we can help you with this young master! We know our lunch very very well, (check out the hundreds of great lunch deals on the site) but we’ve also drawn up comprehensive listing of all the Christmas party packages on site!

From cocktails in KOH, to dancing in Dandelion, South American flavours in Buenos Aires Grill, to Thai at Kanum, there is something there for every office group, and we guarantee a good night, so have a look and see what your options are.

We’ve also negotiated some discounts with these retailers, so be sure to mention mylunch.ie when you talk to them!

If you have any queries regarding booking please get in touch through hungry [at] mylunch.ie, we’d love to hear from you.

If I’ve managed to put you in a Bah Humbug mood through mention of Christmas then please accept my apologies, here’s a new 2 for 1 lunch voucher to appease you, with plenty more lunch deals on site!

Nature Valley Pic-a-Nic!

For the past year or so we here at mylunch have been debunking the idea that there’s no such thing as a free lunch! With lunch 2 for 1’s and comp prizes galore, that saying should be well and truly gone from your vocabulary at this stage!

The myth was once again challenged last Friday when the mylunch.ie crew were kindly invited along to the 2nd annual Nature Valley lunch picnic in Merrion Square! The overcast weather didn’t put a dampener on proceedings and a large crowd turned out to sample the joys of Dublin lunch al fresco style!

Groups of people crowded the Mount Street end of the lovely park, lazing on picnic blankets which were kindly supplied by Nature Valley, and listening to the soothing jazz sounds of a local band that played for the whole event.

All those who attended were handed a lovely bag of goodies, which included an orange, two Nature Valley bars, a sandwich and an RTE Guide to while the hour away! The lunch was greatly appreciated by all, and personally I’m currently addicted to the Oats and Honey Nature Valley bar!

The event went on until half past two, and all who attended went home, or back to work, with full bellies!

Another plus was that there wasn’t a pesky bear, who thought he was smarter than your average, in sight!

You can check out the pictures from the event here, and thanks to all at Nature Valley for their kind hospitality!

If you’d like more free lunches, or even great value ones, as well as more obscure Yogi Bear references, come on over to the site!

Viva la independencia!!

2010 is the year of the Bicentennial Celebrations in Mexico, celebrating 200 years of independence from Spanish rule, with the Bicentenario taking part in two celebrations: the Bicentennial of two hundred years since Independence (1810) and the second, no less important Centennial of 100 years since Mexican Revolution of 1910.

The uprising pitted the poor indigenous Indians and mixed mestizo groups against the priviledged classes of Spanish descent, pushing them into a violent and bloody battle for freedom from Spain, and on 16th September the entire country celebrates the day in 1810, when Mexico proved victorious with food and drink all being a big part of the celebration of course!

But if you can’t make it to Mexico City, Tijuana or Guadalajara for the celebrations, and you are looking for a Mexican flavoured lunch in Dublin, then we have a treat for you!

All next week from 13th-19th September, Hugo and the gang at Cafe Azteca on Lord Edward Street (Christchurch) have a special Mexican Food Festival ongoing!

Owned by an enthusiastic Mexican-Irish couple, the aim at Azteca is to transmit knowledge of the Mexican culinary art dating back to the Aztec empire and bring you right up to date, giving a taste of today's Mexican culture. You can be transported to Latin America for lunch if you so wish!

Certain foods are considered representative of Independence Day, and the team at Azteca has put together a special lunch menu, which will change daily for the week of 13th-19th September.
One favorite is pozole, a soup made of cacahuazintle corn, pork or chicken, while other like “chiles en nogada” and the famous “pico de gallo” have the colors of the Mexican flag; And it just wouldn't be a party without plenty of tequila!

Check out the full lunch menu here, and the specials here, and be sure to drop down for plenty of Mexican hospitality, Latino heat, and some of the best burritos this side of the Atlantic!

Some Mexican phrases if you do decide to pop down:

Waiter/Waitress- Mesero/Mesera
How hot is this Burrito?- Lo caliente que es este burrito?
Two tequila please!- Dos tequila por favor!
Best lunch ever! - Mejor comer cada vez!

Also, check out Azteca’s burrito offer, and special lunch voucher too!
VIVA MEXICO!!

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