I go to Palomino regularly because i love the feel and the atmosphere of the place. Unfortunately I have also found the staff to be consistently unfriendly. I don't think I've ever had good service there, and a smile is a rare thing indeed. The food is generally good, coffee's up to scratch and it really is a great place to go during the day if you're a mum with a pram (the place is full of prams some weekdays). The vibe and location win out for me in the end, and it's clear that Palomino is a well thought out venue. But if I owned this place I'd be very disappointed in my staff.

I've bought several toys & gifts from Small Dreams. Each item in stock seems to have been selected individually because everything is of a high quality and sits well with the fun/educational philosophy the store seems to have. Many of the toys are wooden or tin or cloth.. simple construction etc. There's nothing much in the way of plastic or the kind of cheap stuff you find at toy stores normally. The woman who usually works there (owner?) is always really helpful with ideas and suggestions on how to use/play with the toys or what would make good gifts.

This is easily one of the most special places i've stayed at in Victoria. There are 5 studios on around 10 acres of bushland, and they are built & maintained using Eco-tourism principles. The huts themselves are isolated on the land, and beautifully designed to be comfortable in all weather with minimal environmental impact. When we stayed we booked the Indulgence Package which included a dinner voucher, breakfast hamper and another basket of delicious fresh produce. I would highly recommend The Odd Frog at any time of year. We went in winter and used it as a base for skiing at Hotham, which worked really well I very much hope to visit again in the warmer months, particularly Autumn when Bright is supposed to be beautiful.

Approximate cost: $150 - $200

I've been going here nearly a year now and am very happy with the service. The address of Carlton is exactly accurate - the place is in the North Fitzroy shops on Nicholson St, which is a little further north than Carlton in my opinion. Waxing is fast & professional and reasonably priced, the girls are friendly & chatty as a rule, although they are not over the top service oriented.

This is one of my favourites in Northcote. The Sicilian food is absolutely delicious and the feel of the restaurant is busy & bustling & somehow mediterranean! The owner & waiting staff are italian and pretty quirky - never a dull moment. You have to book - I've turned up several times and been disappointed so don't leave it til the last minute. If you miss out though, put your name down for a table and pop next door for a drink at The Wesley Anne while you wait.

Delicious Japanese food, pretty friendly service and comfortable environment. It's not super cheap if you have sushi plus a main, or several small dishes, but you can still have an affordable meal. Ask if they have the sticky date pudding dessert with green tea icecream -it is delectable! I think one of the (non Japanese) staff makes it at home, and although it seems unusual for a Japanese restaurant, it works perfectly!

This place is good for a casual quick bite to eat. The owner is really friendly and and the food cheap & yummy. They're ok with kids & families & it's somewhere you could go with a group of friends for a really laid back casual meal.

Manchuria is dark, cosy and luxurioius. The wine list is extensive and high quality and the service is very attentive, occasionally there is table service if it's not too busy. The decor feels luscious & rich and the little alcoves & private areas are perfect for any sized group. They can order food for you from a nearby restaurant, but in my experience it was pretty average.

Three Degrees appears to be the perfect venue for after work Friday drinks because of its great location in the middle of QV Square. On a warm evening it's great to sit outside and wind down from work. Trouble is it's very crowded, takes forever to get a drink, and if you hate hanging out with too many 'suits' then this place isn't necessarily for you.

Altitude is a bar & late night club, but they also double as a great venue for early evening / after work drinks. Their balcony over Russel St is huge, heated and perfectly cosy for winter drinks. And in summer, the walls are rolled back, the heaters moved out and the warm evening air can be enjoyed. It's a good place to have a drink on a Friday night, cos you can always stick around if the mood takes you - the crowd really picks up after 10pm, and you'd better like your doofdoof!