Lunch steals!

So, it's been quite a while since my last blog, I blame final seminar papers for the delay. Literally, I've been up to my ears in paperwork since October, but I did manage to take some pictures of great lunch bargains. It's always nice to find a meal deal that leaves your stomach fully satisfied and a little to spare in your wallet. Here are two restaurants that fit the bill:

Lan Pan Asian Cafe: It can be easy to miss this little gem, located on the first floor of the Dadeland Station, but Lan's fast and friendly service and hefty portions are sure to give you plenty of energy to continue an all day shopping spree. Each lunch entree comes with a ten piece California roll, miso soup, green salad, wakame salad, and a bean sprout salad.

This healthy and hearty portion still leaves room for the delicious entree. I recommend the red curry chicken or beef or the Thai basil chicken, but stay away from the chicken dumplings, flat in flavor and doughy.

Giardino Gourmet Salad: Coral Gables is known for its beautiful homes, broad tree-lined avenues, not for its low prices, but Giardino's changes this with their healthy gourmet salads. Salads come in three sizes Piccolo ($5.50), Basta ($7.50), and Grande ($9.50). With an array of hearty toppings like nuts, cheeses, and meats, the piccolo is certainly filling, while the Grande can easily feed three people. My personal favorites are the Habanero salad with spicy watercress, avocado, and plantain chips, the Fizz with arugula, strawberries, and Gorgonzola, and the Japanese with crunchy cabbage, soybeans, and wasabi vinaigrette.