A quick poll around the office lands a number of favorites for varied, reasonably priced, good quick bites. If you are looking for relief from the same old bite of burger and fries or Chinese takeaways, check out what we sank our teeth into at some downtown eateries that will meet your lunchtime needs. 

Here's to Health

Zentral Healthy Eatery has been around for a year and a half, but after going through a complete makeover in the last six months, we finally give our thumbs up to this very affordable health-conscious eatery that relies on fresh ingredients and natural flavoring to create a menu with a sensible number of calories. Our personal faves include Chicken Fitness (420 cal, Y27), Chicken Caesar Wrap (453 cal, Y27) and killer smoothie Berryana (Y29). If you don't feel like slipping out of your pj's, they even offer delivery up till 5am during weekends.

A Taste of the Mediterranean

The Israeli-owned Mediterranean Sandwich Bar allows you to customize your lunch with all the flavors and textures of the Mediterranean. Gubei residents applauded when this neighborhood joint opened late last year, and those in pursuit of falafel, humus and pita bread jumped for joy. My favorite pita combination (Y15) is: Humus smeared on a soft mattress of pita, falafel fritters tossed with green veggie salad and it's all squirted with red harissa-like sauce, fiery and vibrant. Cheap, fast, filling and portable. The only thing they were short on was service, which came after 10 minutes waiting with no other customers in sight. 

Simply Vietnamese

Whilst scouring Fuzhou Lu, we chanced upon Hoang Oanh Vietnamese Sandwich Place, whose economical and tasty baguettes- the crusty bread-loving legacy left behind when French colonialism ended in Vietnam- came as a complete surprise. Sandwich fillings range from meats, pate, marinated vegetables and salads. This down-to-earth lunch place comes with a good resume as owner Hung Pham from Nova Scotia, Canada has opened two other popular eateries in Quebec. And did we mention they are cheap? All this sandwich goodness for just Y10.

Turkish Delight

Did you know that Istanbul is just a stone's throw away from Xiangyang Market? To sample an assortment of traditional Turkish deli food in a peaceful oasis after a hassled walk through Xiangyang Market, slip into The Turkish Kitchen. With soft Turkish music playing in the background, get yourself transported away from Shanghai at this simple Turkish eatery that serves up a variety of wraps and kebabs (Y10-28).

Gourmet Sandwiches

Always buzzing with lunchtime crowds, Wagas and Element Fresh need no introduction, being trendsetters in the deli business. These are quintessentially business lunch joints but don't let the suits and ties you see there freak you out. Both places possess a warm comfortable vibe and bring a continental touch to your lunchtime. A particular standout at Element Fresh is the Duck Breast with Grilled Apple Sandwich (Y55), which is one seriously delicious sandwich. For vegans out there, chomp on the Veggie Patty Sandwich at Wagas.

Sometimes all you need is a quick bite to eat. Other joints to meet your lunchtime needs: Des Lys De France, Subway, Delifrance, Nu Garden, KABB, Paulaner Bakery and Deli. Happy lunching!

Element Fresh
1376 Nanjing Xi Lu
Deliveries: 6279-8287

Hoang Oanh Vietnamese Sandwich Place
681 Fuzhou Lu (not far from Raffles City and People's Square)

Mediterranean Sandwich Bar
66/D50 Hong Bao Shi Lu
Delivery: 6295-9511

The Turkish Kitchen
75 Xiangyang Lu
Delivery: 5404-3243

Wagas
LG12A CITIC Square, 1168 Nanjing Xi Lu (near Jiangning Lu)
Tel: 5292-5228

Zentral Healthy Eatery
567 Huang Pi Lu
Delivery: 6374-5815

(China Daily September 29, 2004)