PPUFFN cheap eats blog

This page is used for sharing favourite cheap eats experiences in Port Phillip, based on criteria of experience being possible for $10 or less, 'review' being unsolicited and food being nutritious.

Cheap eats in Albert Park? Is that possible you say? The answer is a resounding yes if you venture down to the Hare Krishna temple in Danks street Albert Park.

As the Hare Krishna temple website puts it, the Society has been serving 'karma free' meals in Melbourne since 1971. Many Melbournites will be familiar with the Society's two restaurants in the CBD (Gopals and Crossways), but perhaps not so familar with the Temple itself.

As part of the Society's food for life program, which is the world's largest vegetarian, non-profit, food relief organisation, hearty vegetarian meals are served at the temple three times a day. My experience centred around the evening meal, or 'prasadam', which is available by donation and is hard to beat for those on a tight budget. Remember to bring your own container!.

I was served up an eggplant and potato curry that was delicately spiced (the food is traditional but modified slightly for Western tastes) and had a melt in your mouth consistency that some eggplant dishes fail to achieve. There was a generous serve of pappadums on the side and chutney as well. A B.Y.O topping of yoghurt made the meal.

Desert, which I passed up, consisted of halva and custard which by all accounts is a richly filling combination sure to set your dentists teeth rattling. Drinks are included and are usually fruit based - if you're lucky there'll be mango lassi on offer.

Many people choose to eat outside in the tranquil courtyard, where there's a water feature, herb and flower gardens, matching carved elephants (adding to the particularly Indian ambience) and sturdy greenhouse where traditional herbs are propagated on site.

 If you visit on a Sunday,you'll be treated to a feast of several dishes and accompaniments such as pakoras, coconut sambal, palak paneer, dhal and buckwheat. Weekend feasts are often attended by a cast of hundreds and queues can stretch from the main 2nd floor dining hall, down the stairs, through the courtyard where shoes are respectfully left, and onto the Danks Street footpath! If you're not accustomed to sitting on a timber floor, which is 'de rigeur' in the main dining hall, carpet squares are provided so be kind to your behind and take one.

As a useful guide to making your donation, the price of a two-course meal and drink in Crossways budget restaurant is $6.50 or $5 concession. There's no minimum or maximum donation and feasts are often 'sponsored' as well from within the Indian community.

The temple can be found at 197 Danks St.