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Lentil as Anything

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Lentil as Anything
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Labczee on 27/03/2009 - 05:31 lentilasanything.com (1734 clicks)
Last edited 27/03/2009 - 23:55 by 1 other user

A place you can go with your family and friends pay nothing if you have nothing, $5 or $50. You pay into a box that no-one takes notice of. A place to come together and if your taken by the moment there is always an apron for you to get on in and help. A great place for everyone, with wonderful food great service and lots of smiles. The servings are huge and you are more than welcome to bring your own containers to put the left overs in (you wouldn't want to waste such great food). Child friendly, inside and outside dinning and byo.

Aims and Ethos

Lentil As Anything runs on a model of trust, generosity and inclusion and seeks to have a significant, positive influence on the development of our community , particularly in the following areas:

Great food education & training migration & multiculturalism ethical business enterprise environmental sustainability hospitality and nutrition artistic endeavours
community development
LAA began in an attempt to use trust as an instrument of inclusion. Trust at Lentil is not conditional. Trust immediately creates a culture of generosity amongst participants. It is this generosity that has seen us grow from one restaurant in 2000 to five in 2008. Anyone who wishes to be part of the organisation may do so by strapping on an apron and slotting into the operation of food provision or by simply eating. The profoundest philosophies are imparted through the simplest of means. The stark differences between us and other social support organisations is the unconditional nature of our open door. There is no criteria. Difference is an asset to be celebrated. Multiculturalism is Australia's greatest asset.

ABBOTSFORD

Located in the grounds of Abbotsford Convent, this is the largest among all of the resturants. It can seat up to 150 inside and out and is a meeting place for the district including the Collingwood community and its large population of recently arrived families as well as the the Convents' tenents: artists, community organisations and many elderly nuns who return to visit the site. Many of the staff here come from all over Melbourne for the opportunity to gain work experience and all the additional support services that is provided here.

Number of seats: 150

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 9am to 9pm (No Breakfast on Mondays, only drinks)

Cuisine: Vegeterian

Bookings for over 8 people, Call 94196444

St.Kilda

Located at : 41, Blessington Street St Kilda ,Vic

Map

This is the original. Opened in 2000 and still going strong. St Kilda still has many of its original staff and is welll known in St Kilda as a hub of community activity

Number of seats: 30

Opening hours : Monday to Sunday 12am to 10pm

Cuisine: Vegeterian, Vegan options available.

BYO, Booking By phone or by person. Call 9534-5833

Groceries Community Culture Feel Good Food

Related Stores

lentilasanything.com
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closed Comments

  • rawm on 27/03/2009 - 07:22
    -4

    um, am i missing something or is there really no 'deal' here, just spam? Ive been to Lentil as anything, which is a great place, but 'bargain'? Maybe if you eat and walk out without paying….

    • HueyData on 27/03/2009 - 07:41
      -1

      Maybe if you eat and walk out without paying….

      Isn't that implied by the FREEBIE tag? :)

      Apparently there's also Sydney's credit crunch menu: you decide what to pay.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2009 - 08:58
      +1

      I'm sorry @rawm that you feel that unless you personally can benefit financially from a 'bargain' that it doesn't meet your criteria of being legitimate.

      This post however, definitely can't be accused of spam, because the goal of spam is to make money. These guys don't make money (well, not much).

      In fact, many of their staff are volunteers.

      Oh, and this post shouldn't be called a 'freeby'. They're not handing out food. 'You pay what you want' doesn't mean 'you pay $0'. However, if you want a cheap feed, it is absolutely a bargain!

      Cheers

      PS, I've never even eaten there. I walked in once to check it out but wasn't hungry.

    • 00 on 27/03/2009 - 09:50
      +1

      yeah I think you are missing something. the bargain would be you pay what you think the meal is worth rather than inflated set prices. that has to be a bagain

      • jv on 27/03/2009 - 14:43

        It's not a bargain, it's been like that for 10 years…

        • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2009 - 23:22

          It's not a bargain compared to what?

  • thangcuoi on 27/03/2009 - 09:13
    +1

    What an interesting concept.

  • givemebargains on 27/03/2009 - 09:23
    +1

    I've eaten there. It's pretty decent food…except on a Sunday. Don't go on a Sunday!

  • RockSteady on 27/03/2009 - 09:35
    +1

    I hate lentils and am immediately judgemental on the type of food on offer that it would not be anything a carnivore like me would like to eat…but you can not doubt, "Pay what you want" is a bargain.

  • luckytrio on 27/03/2009 - 10:46
    +2

    I have been to lentil as anything several times — at the one I go to, they give you a bill which you fill out, so each item your table bought is listed and you put how much you think you should pay next to it.
    Also, if everyone pays below what it costs to eat there, they will go out of business. So listing this as a 'freebie' is like listing a homeless shelter as 'free accomodation', it's for those who really need it and to take advantage is really stealing from a charity.

    • WaywardOne on 27/03/2009 - 11:50
      +1

      Yeh I think they should put some guides on what it costs them etc. I wouldn't want to steal from a charity either however at the same time I wouldn't want to over pay…

  • alexportnoy on 27/03/2009 - 11:01

    http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/03/19/1237054980328.html

    Has anyone been to SOBO at Bondi?

    What did you end up ACTUALLY paying?

    I don't want to go from Gosford to Bondi for this for nothing!

  • Crownie on 27/03/2009 - 13:43
    +1

    I like this "bargain."
    I've lived in Melbourne all my life and did not hear about Lentil as Anything until someone I know moved to St. Kilda and went there.

    For good healthy food- I can't think of a better place to go.
    It's good to know that you an go and not have to check your wallet for $50's before going.
    I can scrounge up $10 in coins anfd off I go.

    It should be mentioned that the St. Kilda one doesn't serve and drinks (they may have a Mango Lassie on offer) but a simple Diet Coke isn't available.

    Outside drinks are allowed and the conveniently located Acland Cellars are close by; making a beer, wine, or other alcoholic indulgences on hand to pair with your meal.

    I think I’ll go there within the next week- but not on Sunday.

    • SimBer on 27/03/2009 - 13:57
      +1

      I fully agree.
      I've lived in melbourne all my life too and have never even heard of this restaruant by name.

      The fact that its actually pretty good food makes it even better.

      Its definately a bargain in any view, and as for someone suggesting it as a freebie (or complaining that its not) - shame on you. These places only exist so people do not take advantage of others generosity and kindness.

    • guy84 on 27/03/2009 - 16:06

      everyone keeps saying not to on Sunday. Why? LOL

  • aggregate on 27/03/2009 - 17:14
    +6

    I'm voting this a negative because the poster clearly suggesting this should be exploited as a freebie.

  • rawm on 27/03/2009 - 18:32
    +1

    Exactly what I meant aggregate!!! I was flamed for my first comment which basically said I really enjoy Lentil, but you shouldnt post a 'bargain' if it means walking out and not paying (or even paying less than market value) for decent food!

  • abczee on 28/03/2009 - 05:44
    -3

    The idea is not to eat and walk, I put this in freebies because it is free if you can't afford to pay. It comes down to intention. I was able to take my two children to a birthday party there last weekend and I literally did not have any money. I've been to Lentil many times and always pay what I have and as much as I can. From the website 'We provide free food to countless people without drawing attention to their financial circumstances and encourage the interaction and involvement from people of all walks of life.' I didn't post this to encourage people to take advantage of this wonderful organisation. Just to share that such a wonderful place exists. You will always get plenty of genuine free smiles at 'Lentil as Anything'.

  • rym on 28/03/2009 - 09:40
    +2

    abczee, mate… going to a restaurant knowing you have no money is exploitive. Think about it, do you do this to any other establishment? That you would use the service and not pay? Surely, you thought was that you can get away with it and have done so.

    You may not have thought it through but… think about it - A birthday party that you didn't pay… what example are you setting for your kids?

    One of the principle here surely has to be… if you abuse what you have, you undermine it.

    • abczee on 28/03/2009 - 10:33

      Rym, I have been to 'Lentil' more times than I can count with my children. We get up and clear tables, the kids love to help out as do I. None of this is done in the fashion of owing or paying for our food, my children are oblivious to that. What they do learn is that people from all cultures and walks of life can and do work harmoniously. The money that I can afford to pay is not for my children to worry about although they understand the philosophy of Lentil, and the joy they get from helping out, having hot chocolates and even pulling out their pocket money to put into a box is priceless. If you have kids maybe you should try taking them down one weekend morning to make roti with the guys - fun and free for all, and if you can afford to drop in some money I am sure it would be more than appreciated if not you'll still be able to sit back watch the kids have fun and be fed. If you're not going to help I'm sure you can dig a little deeper. Do you recall the barter system or just good will? Exploitive? May I suggest you check out 'Lentil as Anything' at the Abbotsford convent and if you enjoy the atmosphere and food pay accordingly to what you can afford.

  • rawm on 28/03/2009 - 10:06
    +1

    ABCZEE: "I was able to take my two children to a birthday party there last weekend and I literally did not have any money….."

    Um…im not having a go at your financial situation, but WHY ON EARTH would you actually take you and your two children to a restaurant to eat with absolutely no intention of paying a cent?!?!

    I understand Lentil's philosophy, but geez mate, thats called 'abusing the system' in my book.

    • abczee on 28/03/2009 - 10:44

      We helped bring the food out, we helped clean the tables up. My children had a great time with the Chef and everyone working there. It was a great night. I happily took them there for a party knowing I couldn't pay, knowing that we will be back again paying and helping. You'll find no-one in the establishment that judges in that way. "Abusing the system"? we must have different books, I would be more than happy to meet you there for breakfast,lunch or dinner and trade books or just chat and if your up for it we can even wash our own dishes together ;)

  • rym on 28/03/2009 - 10:40

    abczee, I'm a regular @ Lentils and yes, my family pay. My comment about exploitive is your actions “I was able to take my two children to a birthday party there last weekend and I literally did not have any money…..” The intention was not to pay. That was my point. Like Rawm says, it's abusing the system.

    • abczee on 28/03/2009 - 10:59

      I understand where your coming from rym - this was a rare occasion and one I'm grateful for so my kids didn't miss out. Also the staff were aware of my situation because I made it so(hence my initial post). Not to the Party of 20, just to the Chef and staff - there is nothing wrong with being honest and no reason why my kids should have missed out and invited back with open arms. If you have been to Lentil you will know that there are many people from different backgrounds, many of them refugees. Lentil offers a silver platter full of laughter and good food to everyone, just take some time to check it out along with paying what you think it's worth. Try throwing on an apron you'll be welcomed with open arms and wonderful stories.

    • em on 28/03/2009 - 21:08

      You guys are whingey as anything ;)
      Obviously abczee is a regular and usually does pay, go have a private cry but get over yourself. I just hope you're not paying for it out of your family tax benefit ;) ;)

  • rym on 28/03/2009 - 11:16
    +1

    No probs, just remember too that they are running a business also. I KNOW they pay rent for the place. Staff do collect wages too. On the same principle that they collect what they think they are worth. Oh of course, their food cost… so, if the collection box is empty for too long… business goes.

  • abczee on 28/03/2009 - 11:35

    True! Please remember that next time you go there and if you think it was worth $20 throw in $50 if you can afford it. Or if you have skills that can be offered don't hold back offering those either. It takes more than money to make 'business' work - http://www.lentilasanything.com/projects.htm - http://www.lentilasanything.com/involved.htm

    I hope no one considers this as spam and I encourage everyone to check out "Lentil as Anything" it's not a place to make you feel like you're doing your bit for society. It's just a place with great food, great atmosphere for the rich or poor.

  • Crownie on 29/03/2009 - 02:32

    Lentil sure beats Top Rated restaurants.
    I wish a Sobi Bondi type restaurant was here in Melbourne.
    A bit more upscale than Lentil but with the same principles.

    I was at a great restaurant recently where they had no qualms about suggesting a garlic pizza/bread and charging $3.50 for a side of peppercorn sauce for a steak.
    What really got me was the $8.95 bowl of chips and the $15 for three small scoops of ice cream- didn't help that it was to be shared by 5 people.

    I know tipping wait staff is not common in OZ but I would have rather paid $3-4 for the bowl of chips and given an extra $5 to the staff.

    Next time I'm in Lentil, I think I'll throw some extra money the staff's way- especially if they're indeed "volunteers."

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