Yum Cha at Oriental Tea House

Bashed out a quick Yum Cha with M at Oriental Tea House.

Sitting in 2 minutes, eating from the trolley in 3, finished in 20. Dumplings, beef, squid, spring rolls were all fresh, light and tasty. Best Yum Cha I've had in years and doubly so because it was unexpected. Two people could easily eat well* for $15-$20 a head.

378 Little Collins Street

*Eat well meaning it doesn't feel like a credit crunch lunch.

Spaghetti at Journal Canteen

Lunch at Journal Canteen with B and T. Entree sized spaghetti putanesca (B loves 'working girls') was sizeable, more than enough for lunch and good value at $15. With free stovetop espresso you are away for $15 in one of 3000's best Italians.

253 Flinders Lane.

Dumplings at the North East China Family

Impromptu lunch with C at the "North East China Family" (catchy isn't it). It is a newish Chinese restaurant but the dumplings are why everyone is here. NECF is raising the stakes for the Camy Shanghai in Chinatown.

For $8ish 15 dumplings are delivered to your table and they're BIG. They seem freshly made and the 28 we consumed (half pork and cabbage, half vego) were delicious and filling without sending me to sleep. The restaurant is clean, bright, airy and modern but still a bit wonky in the best way.

302 Flinders Lane.