The name of this place never fails to make me giggle. Ahem. Anyway, Mick's Nuts is a West End institution. A tiny little shop which is like an Aladdin's Cave of nuts, dried fruits and other great things when you walk in.

It's a bit of a rustic experience - items are in giant plastic bags with prices stuck to them and you indicate how much you want put into a smaller bag. Turnover seems to be fast and I've not had any bad produce from here.

It's a small family business and they're all so enthusiastic and knowledgable about what they sell that it's hard to walk away without purchasing anything.

While this venue isn't going to win awards for ambience or decorating, the simple setting helps to keep costs low. And there must be something good about it because every time I've come here, there is always a wait for a table.

Food is Vietnamese/Chinese but without fail I think it's the Vietnamese that brings people in. Fresh rice paper rolls (roll your own or have the kitchen do it) and pho (beef soup) are the clear crowd pleasers. I always like the horfun here too (flat rice noodles). If you're in the mood for something to drink as well, the lemon soda water (homemade) is delicious. It is also BYO and there is a bottle shop just down the road.

For a busy restaurant, the wait staff do a fairly good job getting around to everyone in a timely manner. It's not fine dining but if you're after something warm, filling and delicious for decent prices in a friendly atmosphere, this is the place.

Approximate cost: $12

I have eaten here a few times for dinner. It can be tough to get a table sometimes, and when you do, you can be assured that you'll be crammed in - there is very little space between the tables so it isn't very pram accessible.

The menu is large and contains quite a few genuine vegetarian options (no chicken stock etc) which is great. If you want to deviate from anything off the menu it is quite tough to communicate this to staff though. However, once you have ordered, prepare for some fresh, delicious Vietnamese food. If you order a soup, portion sizes are quite large and everything else is also generously portioned. Great prices for the meal size.

If you like spice, don't be afraid to ask for some chopped fresh chillies for the table!

Approximate cost: $11

I only go to this shop for one thing - the shaved ice dessert (ice kachang). Shaved ice served with sugar syrup, condensed milk and your choice of three sides, it's a delicious sweet dessert without being overpowering. My favourite additions are sago, tapioca and mung beans. I haven't found portions to be too small, and actually I usually need to share with someone to do justice to the dish.

The shop is tiny but customer turnover is quite quick so I've never had to wait long for a seat, if at all. Takeaway orders are also filled quickly which is admirable for such a small shop with minimal staff.

I have found prices seem to go up every time I visit but most if not all of the desserts are under $5 so this still represents exceptional value for me, especially when split between two people.

Approximate cost: $5

This cafe is a great location for breakfast, lunch, after work drinks and all day coffee. Offering all that, you would think that the quality would be mediocre but they manage to get everything right. Breakfast is quickly served, with staples such as fruit and muesli through to the exotic with breakfast burritos and bacon and egg muffins. I don't know how the barista manages to remember but if you're a regular they seem to have your order memorised which is a nice touch. The chai lattes are one of my favourites but I have to order half strength as I find the full version too overpowering for me.

Lunches are fresh and delicious - I love the falafel wraps. While they're not the cheapest around, they are convenient and delicious. Salads are not the run of the mill variety but offer great combinations (beetroot and feta; pumpkin, pinenut and spinach) which scream out to be eaten.

For after work drinks, the place is always busy, so that's a good sign that you won't be getting a stale wine and service must be good if people keep frequenting it.

One of my favourite places to visit when I'm up that end of town.

Approximate cost: $8

Deb is one of those fantastic photographers who immediately puts you at ease. She has a lovely relaxed vibe about her, and you can't help but relax too. When we were looking for wedding photographers, Deb stood out as someone amazing - right from the start she 'got' the sort of photos we were after and was nothing but helpful about helping us achieve that.

She has a variety of very well priced packages available and is flexible about inclusions which is a lovely breath of air from those photographers who need everything to be a certain way with no leeway for the subjects.

On the day of the wedding, she got down to business and started snapping away - we barely knew she was there. I was particularly after a photographer who didn't take posed shots, and Deb fits that to a T - catching candid moments that really show off personality. Because she just faded into the background, out photos are lovely and casual with no sign of stiltedness or forced smiles. There was no hard sell of products afterward, and we got all useable images from the day in both high and low resolutions. People still comment about our wedding photos, and I'm happy to recommend them all to Deb.

From the outside, this cafe doesn't look like much, but what it lacks in sophistication, it makes up for with the quality of food. I have been here for both breakfast and lunch, and each time, the meals were wonderfully understated and beautifully presented.

I have also dined here with children and the wait staff were very attentive, bringing out a special children's menu and allowing them to order themselves instead of by proxy via an adult.

Prices are not the cheapest around but the portion sizes are huge and you won't walk away hungry. You'll more than likely have to roll yourself away from the table if you manage to finish all the delicious food which is on your plate!

Approximate cost: $17

I've never eaten in here but when I'm in the area I make sure to stop by for a takeaway coffee. It's never failed to disappoint. Perfectly done milk, delicious tasting beans and people who really know their stuff. No wonder there are always lines here and it seems to get more popular by the minute.

Be sure to set up a loyalty card (you can leave it at the counter) as this is one place you'll go back to again and again.

The thing that impresses me the most about this fish and chip place is that they have a separate deep fryer solely for chips, potato scallops and pineapple fritters. A SEPARATE fryer. And they're proud of it and will show you the oil they use if you ask. So vegetarians, delight in the fact that you can eat these chips, potato scallops and pineapple fritters and know that they're really vegetarian. Also, they taste delicious. I can't comment on the fish or anything else, but I have nothing bad to say about what I have eaten. I'll say it again, a separate fryer. They've won my business already with that simple fact.

I understand that this place has recently undergone a renovation. It looks fabulous, maybe because the club is attached to a Mercure hotel so a certain atmosphere and decor standard is expected!

We ate at Pacino's, the Italian restaurant, with family and friends. I also had my 6 month old child with me and the waitress could not have been more attentive. She was patient and understanding when I had to walk my child around to quiet her. Service was prompt and the food was delicious. Dairy free/gluten free/vegetarian options were clearly labeled and I also couldn't pass up dessert (pancakes stuffed with apple and cinnamon - yum!!). While not the cheapest, the atmosphere is nice and the staff are very family friendly.

Approximate cost: $18