Chicken Mezze Lunchbox at Little Big Harvest

Big Harvest is a favourite of mine in Carlton, but seeing as it's in Carlton it was a weekend only option - until now. Little Big Harvest is a 'branch office' operating out of a hole in the wall in Causeway Place. If you like a organic, feral, homegrown, health food vibe with your lunch but you've got more than a dollar - move on from Crossways and head round the corner.

For $9.50 I have the Chicken Mezze Lunchbox, (you can also have the Falafel version which is equally delicious). Inside your box you get a few tandoori drumsticks, a few dolmades, a choice of 2 or 3 salads (lentil and feta, beetroot, carrot currant and cashew, and a chickpea as well), a slop of hummus and a hunk of fresh, crusty bread roll. Delicious and nutritious, and a vague sense of some ethical pay-off as well.

Shop 2, Causeway Place, Melbourne

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.