Another lunch special available in the Cairns CBD during the week is the $15 bento box at Hanuman at the Hilton, overlooking Trinity Inlet.  Myself, FW and TT went to check it out last Friday and were pleasantly surprised.  The $15 bento box includes rice, salad, two curries and a chutney/sauce.  The waiter informed me that the curries change daily so you never know what you are going to get.  On this particular day however our’s was a Thai Indian Bento Box with Green Curry of Chicken in a Classic Thai Curry with Sweet Basil, Kaffir Lime Leaf and Chilli, Seasonal Vegetables Steamed and Served with Oyster Sauce, Garlic and Soy, Fresh Green Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Carrot Ribbons, Mango Pickle with Cumin, Coriander and Mustard Seeds and Jasmine Rice.  The Green Curry was absolutely divine, so much in fact I was desperately trying to mop up and leftover sauce with my rice.  I also really enjoyed the Seasonal Vegetables as they were fresh, crunchy and dressed in a delicious oyster, garlic and soy sauce.  The one thing we all found a little odd was the Fresh Green Salad included in the Bento Box as its not really a Thai Indian type salad and just seemed to be out of place with curries, pickle and veges.

Thai Indian Bento Box with Green Curry of Chicken, Seasonal Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Mango Pickle and Steamed Jasmine Rice

Hanuman is a great place to go mid-week for a cheap, quick and super delicious lunchtime meal in a really beautiful and quiet setting with Trinity Inlet just outside the floor to ceiling windows.  If time is limited you can inform the waiter for an extra speedy meal so its perfect for the office execs who just want a quick bight to eat.  With the curries on offer changing daily you never really know what you are going to get but in my opinion that sort of adds to the whole appeal of it.

Hanuman

34 The Esplanade, Cairns QLD 4870

Ph: (07) 4052 6786

Opening Hours: Lunch Mon – Fri 12pm – 3pm, Dinner 7 nights 6pm till late

Website: www.hanuman.com.au