Bistro10 UN

location: the art institute, 1130 market street ( at 7th, un plaza), civic center

bistro10 un is the student run restaurant in the culinary program at the art institute in un plaza. the restaurant is open thursdays and fridays during lunch time, which is actually the class session time for the students in the program. the students seat you, take your orders, and make the food.

the menu changes every 6 weeks and is offered at either two items for $12 or three for $15. it's a really great deal, as their are a lot options and everything is seasonal and fresh. i opted for three courses because i thought it was such a great deal. i started with a chicken tortilla soup that was

really delicious. it was spicy but not overwhelming and was generous with the cilantro which i really like. for the main course i had the burger with caramelized onions on a brioche bun. the meat was cooked well done, per my request and to perfection. the wine soaked onions were great on the burger and the lettuce and tomato were kept to the side, which was nice presentation and always my preference. i shared the pear tart for my dessert because i was very full and satisfied by the end of the meal.

the students that run the program talked to us about their experience and answered our questions about the program and restaurants and even let me take a little tour of the kitchen. i was pretty much sold on culinary school after this meal.

the staff was friendly and accommodating. i went with a large party during a work lunch so it was slow meal. it took almost two hours from start to finish, not something i would normally expect from a lunch outing. but the students are learning so i was ok with the slow service.

tastiness: yay!

food vs. price: yay!

service: okay!

Soluna Cafe

location: 272 mcallister (at larkin), civic center

soluna cafe is right next door to hastings so it makes it pretty convenient to pop in here for lunch, even on a busy day there's enough time for a sit down meal. the menu has a variety of gourmet bar eats and is fresh and mostly local ingredients. they serve a variety of salads, sanwiches and hot entrees like mac 'n' cheese (which is fantastic). i've had the same sandwich both times i've been for lunch because i loved it so much the first time. it's a crispy chicken caeser sandwich served on a ciabatta roll. the chicken has been perfectly crispy yet moist both times i've had it and the lemon slices and caeser dressing help it maintain it's juiciness. accompanied by the truffle fries and a glass of homemade limeade and this is one of my favorite lunches. it's a little bit more expensive than what i would typically expect to spend on lunch in civic center but it's very good. they have some really great options on the dinner menu that i would like to check out. there's a full bar and a happy hour that goes until 7.

recommendation: if you're looking for somewhere to eat in civic center, look no further.

tastiness: yay!

food vs. price: okay!

service: yay!

Lalita

location: 96 mcallister (at leavenworth) , civic center

i've been working in civic center for over two months and i've always dismissed this place as a corner bar. from the outside you can barely see a sign, the windows are dark and they have a lot of beverage lights hanging up. but once you're inside it's an spacious restaurant with a large bar and seating area. during the lunch hour they were able to accommodate our party of nine quickly and at $13 a person (including tip) it was definitely a deal.

the lunch menu has several different options, almost too many. you can order like i did, a base food with sauce and rice, or you can go for one of the lunch combos that includes a small salad and spring roll.

i want for the tofu with black pepper and garlic sauce with onion and brown rice. it was a large serving that i was able to take home and finish for dinner. all of the dishes looked and smelled delicious.

the service was quick although one person in our party was served much later than everyone else which is always a little annoying. even with our large party we were in and out in under an hour.

recommendation: visit me in the 'loin and take me to lunch here.

tastiness: yay!

price vs. food: yay!

service: yay!

Lunch Geek

location: 1400 market st. (between polk & fell), civic center

civic center is somewhat lacking in it's awesome lunch spots so i was extremely pleased to read that a new sandwich shop was opening up a couple blocks from work. lunch geek has a set menu of sandwich options and also a daily specials menu for new concoctions that they're trying out. all of the sandwiches have cute and clever names, such as 'i flunked gym class' and 'teacher's pet," the latter of which i enjoyed on my trip. and the atmosphere is just as cute and clever with science classroom themed decor and sandwich served on cafeteria style food trays, just like middle school! as far as lunch goes they offer a few different acme bread selections which always make for a wonderful lunch. everything is really cheap for how tasty it is (or sounds, i've only been in once but definitely want to go again). my sandwich was $7.95 and a decent size. this is no subway footlong, thank god, but it will definitely fill you up. my sandwich had free range chicken breast, melted swiss cheese, avocado, mayo, geek sauce (not certain what exactly this is, but it was good), and veggies.

we strolled in around 12:05pm and the line was out the door by 12:15. they only take cash. no beer/wine/booze, but a nice selection of specialty soda's and eco-friendly bottled waters (ironic, no?).

recommendation: take an early lunch, they're not open on the weekends.

tastiness: yay!

food vs. price: yay!

service: yay!