Lentil as anything is a restaurant with a twist, and a community bent that is pretty unique. Their motto is “food, culture, community” and as soon as you walk in, you can feel that positive vibe all the way!
Here, you “pay as you feel” – all meals, and coffee are paid for on a donation basis. The food is not free, by any means, but t
his system does allow people from all sorts of social demographics and situations to sit down in the same restaurant, and eat as equals. Maybe even have a chat if at one of the big communal tables!
http://lentilasanything.com/
A recommended donation of $15-$25 for a meal applies, and there is a billboard which gives you some guidance.
One cool thing is that “lentils”, as it is affectionately known, is a tax deductible entity, and you can obtain a receipt if you choose to donate to them online on their website.
If you are feeling generous today, make a donation now, and drop in to check the place out sometime.
http://lentilasanything.com/donate/
The restaurant is a true social enterprise, where all the profits, if there are any that month get plowed back into training and helping people who need a leg up in the employment market, and maintaining the restaurnats as a safe and inclusive place that people of all walks of life might like to visit, even if they cannot normally afford to go to a restaurant.
If you want, you can even volunteer to help out with the front of house, or kitchen handing. Both are quite fun, where full, ad hoc training is provided, and you can get a chance to learn how a real commercial restaurant actually operates.
http://lentilasanything.com/volunteering/
The meals are predominantly vegetarian, and in some branches of the restaurant, like in preston, the food is full and strict vegan. There are six restaurants Australia wide- with five in the melbourne area- Preston, Thornbury, St Kilda, Footscray, Sydney, and, of course, Abbotsford.
Lunch and dinner most nights is on a bain maree- all you can eat buffet style format, while Friday nights are an a’la’carte format.
Plated, cooked to order breakfasts are also served from 9am to 11am most days in Abbotsford. And, my, they are amazing breakfasts!
The farmers dosa is my particular favourite, as are the spicy pancakes. The home brewed swiss style bircher muesli is also a treat to behold. Lentils soundly puts most overpriced and overrated cafes to shame with their simple, delicious and inexpensive breakfasts.
The coffee is typically excellent, and also covers a range of unusual mochas, chai lattes, and everything in between. make sure you try the “dirty happy hippy” if you happen to drop in!
Sadly, the future of Lentils in Abbotsford is under threat at present, with a competitive tender process for the lease being put in place, where “hospitality focused” proponents are invited to take up tenancy. Lentils was not formally invited to participate in the tender process, and indications from the board of the Abbotsford convent foundation (ACF) has refused to engage directly with lentils, and has expressed that despite the 11 year long relationship, and being a founding tenant, Lentils will be offered no special treatment.
In 2011 a similar process was attempted, but community backlash and a roar of support from its customers saw the ACF back down and preserve lentil’s keystone position in the convent, which attracts over one million visitors annually.
abbotsford convent.
