The recession is slowly losing its grip, they say. But salaries are far from skyrocketing. So, here's a round up of tasty meal-on-a-budget options in your city

The recession is slowly losing its grip, they say. But salaries are far from skyrocketing. So, here's a round up of tasty meal-on-a-budget options in your city

Jumbo Crepe station breakfast at a discount
At: All Crepe Station outlets (Juhu, Fort, Malad, Oshiwara and Bandra). Call 9930255927. From 8 am to 1 pm
This is a great way to start the day: Tuck into a wholesome breakfast made a wee bit tastier because you get a discount on your bill. Crepe Station has a new breakfast menu that includes Indian and Continental breakfast options. Puri Bhaji, Chana Bhatura and Paneer Bhujia with Maska Pav are for the desis, while the Continental menu features the Farmers (an omelette made with onion, herbed potatoes, black olives and smoked chicken ham), The George Washington (fried eggs served with chicken sausages, baked beans, crispy potatoes and grilled corn) and Hangover Remedy (fried egg on top of a slice of brown bread with grilled chicken sausages and herbed potatoes with gherkins). A sweet or salted Lassi accompanies the desi option, while the Conti dish comes with bread, butter and a seasonal fruit juice.

Au00a0bottomless stir-fry bowl
At: All Stir Fry, 5, Battery Street, Colaba. From 12 pm to 3 pm and 7 pm to 12 pm. Call 22894451. Cost: Rs 410 plus taxes
If you fancy your meal being cooked right in front of you, made with ingredients of your choice, head to All Stir Fry. Using a high-flame quick wok, the chefs here rustle up unique combinations in a jiffy. You can choose from a range of noodles (rice noodles/flat noodles/ spaghetti noodles) or steamed rice for the base. Pick a sauce you like (garlic, peanut, sweet chilli, Hunan or Oyster). If you are watching your weight, add on a pile of veggies (ladyfingers, cauliflower, spring onions, carrots broccoli, red cabbage, baby corn and fresh mushrooms).
Non-vegetarians have a spread of lamb, pork, prawns, fishcake, chicken, beef, sausages and salami to pick from. There's paneer or tofu for veggies. At this SoBo eatery designed like an Orientalu00a0 streetside kitchen with shared benches for seating, you can go back to the glass kitchen for unlimited servings. Don't forget to leave a little space for the yummy fortune cookie served at the end of your meal.

4 dishes and a drink for Rs 400
At: La Pizzeria, ground floor, Shalimar Building, Marine Drive. Call 66153322
Every Mumbaikar's search for spicy Indian-Italian ends at Little Italy's La Pizzeria. Now, their Executive Lunch options lets you and your college buddies enjoy a salad or starter (choose from a Bruschetta or Nachos served with Salsa sauce), a soup, a 7-inch pizza, a pasta dish and a welcome drink for Rs 400. Considering that some city eateries charge as much for a single pasta dish, this one is sure value for money.

One-by-two soups at Paradise
At: Paradise Restaurant, Sindh Chambers, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, near Strand Cinema.u00a0Call 22832874. Mondays closed.
Mehru Kadkhodai of this Parsi-run, age-old eatery, will insist you try their Scotch Broth. Served with croutons, shredded chicken, and a wedge of lime on the side, the thick soup has been on their menu for 52 years. "We were the first to serve Scotch Broth in Bombay," says Mehru. A lot might have changed since then, but you can still bank on this place for some good, bawa food and a staff that will thoughtfully slip a paper napkin under your soup bowl, while you are midway through your meal. Try their "one by two" soup options (you split a single serving into two, and their generous Parsi servings make it as good as a single serving). Hot & Sour Chicken Soup (Rs 85), Chicken and Egg Clear Soup (Rs 75) and the "spicy" Manchow Chicken Soup (Rs 85) are popular choices. The soup is served with two empty bowls for you to shovel spoonfuls of soup into. Soup accompanied with a Chicken Roll (Rs 80) or a Veg Chutney sandwich (Rs 60) (with the edges neatly trimmed off) should make for a quick, economical light lunch or supper option.

Unlimited live grill meal for rs 563
At: Barbeque Nation, ground floor, Om Palace, Dr Ambedkar Road, Pali Hill, Khar (W). Call 65934343
This one is not for the faint hearted, with a giant spread that includes five veg, five non-veg starters, main course dishes and desserts. Barbequed Lamb, Mutton Seekh Kebabs, chicken, fish, prawns, paneer, mushroom, Cajun Spiced Potatoes, Assorted Indian Kebabs and English Vegetables... phew!
Veggies should go for the Chef's Special Barbeque, a combination of Broccoli and Pineapple Barbeque and a Veg Sizzler. Eight veg salads, three non-veg salads, Fried rice and Noodles make up the main course. You wrap up the meal with eight desserts. Starved for choice? This is the place to head.
We love that your kebabs don't go cold here. They are served on skewers placed on sunken mini charcoal grills, that come fitted on each table.

And one more
FLIP FOR YOUR BILL ON MONDAY
Eat and drink all you want every Monday. At the end of your meal, flip a coin. If you win, you get a 25% discount on your total bill.
Valid at: On Toes the Pub at Bandra, Malad and Fort.