There is a certain sense of satisfaction you can get from having a delicious lunch. It breaks up your day, fuels you on for the afternoon and somehow, life ain’t so bad once you’ve had a good lunch. But what beats “just having a good lunch” is having a good lunch on the cheap. And you know, I’m Chinese frugal so when I can save some pennies and enjoy my grub, that’s when I am at my most happiest
So with that in mind, let me introduce you to Lavie Vegetarian & Breakfast. Waaaaaait! Don’t stop reading just because it’s called “vegetarian & breakfast”. What, do you judge a book by its cover? Oh you do? That’s ok, I totally do too, in fact I judge a book by its spine. But that’s not really the point.
The point is that the good folk at Lavie probably speak no engrish because they serve neither vegetarian nor breakfast. Well, not exclusively anyway. I mean, did you see my lunch? A fresh Vietnamese baguette packed full of pork slices. That sure ain’t vegetarian, although I would more than happily have it for breakfast.
Anyway, Lavie has been a favourite of mine for years. My friend Babs and I used to get our lunch from here – $3.20 for a banh mi back then, if my memory serves me right – and sit on the lawn above Wynyard station day dreaming about when she’d be married with children. Flash to now: Babs has not one but two kids. That’s how long we’ve been going to Lavie.
Well, imagine the joy when I came back from 3.5 years frolicking my way around Europe to find that not only is Lavie still there, they are also still thriving. Hidden in Hunter Arcade below Wynyard (the station end), I’m surprised anyone knows they exist but maybe my secret is out. This is the best lunch time eating haunt, another one of my favourites (Naughty Chef) just two doors down.
I love Lavie. Not only because even with inflation, the banh mi (which also comes in BBQ pork, chicken or beef but really, the pork is the best) is only all of $4. Another reason I love Lavie is because they make fresh sugar cane juice, squeezed right there on the spot, and also have an array of the best Asian drinks like soya milk, grass jelly and even sam bu luong (Vietnamese drink with dates, longans, jelly and other good things). All for under $5!
Anyway, I should have learned long ago not to share my good secrets with everyone but I can’t help myself. I want y’all to have the love also! And since all the suits have found this place for lunch, I figured you foodies better know about it too.
Lavie Vegetarian & Breakfast
Shop H01, Hunter Arcade
301 George Street
Sydney, 2000
(02) 9299 0530