The reason why I say I am surprised they are still in business is because, except for the odd special, their prices for spirits are consistently about $10-$15 a bottle higher than competitors only a block away.

Tried their coffee beans several times, and for me it consistently lacks that fresh middle palate fruit that really fresh coffee has. It has more of the dark chocolate notes, but bordering on the burnt side, as if it has been over-roasted, which to me it has been. For me, it is not as fresh as the coffee from the Queen Vic market coffee shop. I intend to discuss this again with the shop and change this review if warranted. They tell me that so far that they sell over a ton of house blend each week, but so far all I can see is that a lot of people in Melbourne are prepared to accept less than really fresh product. Their coffee is not bad but it is definitely not great and as good as it could or should be. I actually have had fresher coffee pre-ground and vacuum packed by UCC coffee in Japan.

I have almost never caught a train at its scheduled time. Metro's pathetic service standards allow to classify a train as 'on-time' if it runs to within approximately 5 minutes of its scheduled time, and it is only required to run 88% of its trains 'on-time'. Such a disgraceful level of service would not be allowed in most other developed countries. It costs too much - public transport as an essential service should not be provided by a profit motivated private company, it should be provided at cost.

Bunnings is pretty much known by everyone so it hard to write something that most people don't already know. I think a good thing to remember is that Bunnings' range of things is very good. The gardening stuff is great. Most people there seem quite well trained. I bought curtain hooks, watering cans, compost, seedlings and electrical bulbs, a ladder and draught seal just to name a few things.

This is sister shop (one door away) from Red Pepper. It produces wonderful fragrant inexpensive indian curries. The naan bread and vegetarian dishes are especially good. Also you get free lassi. Try the spinach saag which they are very good at.

Approximate cost: $10

This place makes some of the best value indian food I have ever tasted. And it is like going to somewhere in India. I have heard that its specialty is spinach saag and having tried it many times I tend to agree. Great roti and naan bread.

Approximate cost: $9

This place sells great brunch type food, but the real gem here is the incredible coffee Andrew and the guys produce. Incidentally, Richard, who runs www.villinoespresso.com.au in Criterion Street Hobart, trained here. The coffee machine at the Mailing Room is amazing. Get a double ristretto slightly longer short machiatto and you will see what I am talking about. Not a hint of bitterness.

This is the brother shop to Brother Baba Budan in Little Bourke Street and is a coffee mecca. This place roasts fantastic coffee and sells fabulous coffees. The barristers really know what they are doing. Check out the latte art as well.

Right - for all you real coffee lovers out there, this is the brother/sister store to St Ali in South Melbourne, and these cats really really know what they are doing when it comes to making fantastic fresh coffee. They also have this weird machine that makes American style filter coffee. They also sell fresh roasted beans.

This is a real Japanese restaurant owned by japanese (and not Chinese like a lot of Japanese places in Melbourne). The cooked food dishes and sushi are fresh and very good value. It is also BYO which is a rarity. It has one tatami room which seats about 8 people.

Approximate cost: $16