Brand New Office Lunch Delivery Service

Watch Out For…

Seeing how our whole team usually turns into a group of reclusive hermits come Friday (read: deadline day), last week our social media manager Katie gathered a group of us to order in via her friend’s brand-new office-delivery meal service, Ann’s Kitchen (6349-2229, [email protected]), named after founder Ann Madrazo. Ann’s a multi-talented lady, with a blessed set of pipes (she performs in a band) and a knack for cooking. Her latest business consists of a regularly changing three-course menu, starting at $120 for a starter and a main and topping out at $150 with dessert included.

The choices are a bit of a mixed bag, and the week we placed our orders, the starters were potato croquettes or healthy salads; the mains were chicken schnitzel, beef stroganoff or roasted tiger prawns; and the desserts were mango with coconut rice or fruit salad. You need to order before 4pm a day in advance, and Ann will personally deliver the goods to your office during the lunch period.

Despite having had an irritated throat for weeks now, I still went for the irresistible deep-fried selections—the croquettes and chicken schnitzel—together with the not-so-light mango coconut rice. I didn’t regret my decision one bit. The croquettes, stuffed with potatoes and risotto, were mm mm good, and so was the chicken, even though parts of the meat were just a tad dry. The coconut rice was a mushier version than I’m usually used to, but really, can you ever go wrong with mango and coconut? Others ordered the pasta salad and beef stroganoff, and I’m pretty sure that they were more than happy with their meals.

Drop Ann an email or give her a call if you want some homemade lunch with a personal touch delivered straight to your desk.

I suppose it’s not all that surprising that The French Window (Shop 3101. 3/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 2393-3812) has chosen to shed its uppish airs in favor of a more casual look—this is in line with most other trendy, upscale eateries nowadays. Instead of a fine dine, TFW is now going to be a Parisian-style brasserie, complete with its own raw bar AND wine bar. Think brasserie-style staples like frog legs, poached duck and, of course, moules frites (steamed mussels with fries).

Excited as I am by this very ambitious reno, I’m going to hold my breath until I see the interior and the prices on the menu. Situated in one of the sweetest harbor-facing spots at the IFC Mall, with floor-to-ceiling windows, TFW was a very pretty thing before all this drama. I loved the never-ending, kinda mysterious corridor leading into the venue and the open, bright space once inside. So I hope the Miramar group won’t have compromised any of these elements with the re-branded resto. I also know not to expect brasserie-style prices at TFW, but I wouldn’t wanna come out of the place feeling extorted for paying hundreds of dollars on fries or other basic dishes. Either way, I can’t wait to check it out!