CITYLIFE / Eating Out

Stuck at the desk
(City Weekend)
Updated: 2006-05-17 09:13

You don't resent that the weather's great out; you just resent the fact that you're stuck in the office working during the lunch hour again. If you're worn out by the average take-out, don't despair. Here are some guides through some new options and old favorites.

For a taste of holiday without leaving your desk, call Thai Food Station (thai); they'll deliver delightful set lunch meals (around RMB 50) free to your door if you're within a 3km radius from the Changle Lu location. If you're out of radius, it's only a RMB 10 downtown delivery fee with a minimum order of RMB 35. Simply go to their website at www.thaifoodstation.com, select what you'd like, proceed to check-out and get back to work until the food comes.

If you're looking for something a little milder and work near People's Square, O Deli (delivery), located on Huanghe Lu near Xinzha Lu, does fantastic sandwiches at stellar prices and provides free delivery within a 1km radius.

The Herb Mushroom with Chicken (RMB 22) and Tuna Melt (RMB 22) are fresh and stuffed with more than a few servings of vegetables. With fresh-baked bread choices including ciabatta, baguette, focaccia and croissant, you're sure to find one you like. Best of all, the service is fast and they deliver your goodies in a picnic basket.

Zentral Healthy Eatery (delivery) provides a wide menu from which to choose and also delivers free within a mile from both their Pudong and Puxi locations with a RMB 45 base bill. Fresh salads and Wrapz are always a hit and range from RMB 29-RMB 42. Join their delivery club and if you exceed RMB 88 for nine deliveries, you get RMB 88 off your 10th.

Made especially for take-out is Baja Gourmet (delivery), which recently opened in Pudong and has plans for expansion to Puxi. Delightful fruit smoothies, sandwiches and salads bursting with healthful flavor greet the otherwise blase office day. You're sure to feel a less guilty for your office immobility if you're eating this well. But sometimes a little guilty pleasure is in order.

Say hello to Hello Pizza (delivery). With a minimum of RMB 30, they'll deliver to locations throughout the city - even to those neglected folks off Line Three and Four. It may not be the best pizza you'll ever have, but with deals like a nine-inch Hawaiian for RMB 10.