For many years Betty ran Planet Haircuts kids hair salon in Kids Central in Chadstone, and has recently opened the Little Hollywood kids salon which she designed herself. Betty is a treasure-a talented and efficient hairdresser who has a magic touch with children. She has a lovely warm manner and is completely unflappable. It doesn't hurt that the salon is custom designed for kids with a flat screen tv on one side like a mini cinema, small flat screen tvs at each station, as well as portable playstations and other non electronic distractions to keep the kids happy and occupied. Prices are standard, and there is a loyalty scheme, with every fifth haircut half price.

The Tofu Shop is a Richmond institution and for good reason. I think even someone who doesn't get excited at the thought of vegetarian cuisine would be won over by the selection of delicious fresh vegetable dishes each with interesting flavors and textures. Included in the price are various dips and condiments. They also have really interesting wraps, which are made fresh and filled with salads, dips, condiments and if you like, various patties. Years ago they used to make the flat bread fresh on a griddle as well, but unfortunately those days are over! Seating is limited and counter style, prices are fair, and the staff are friendly and a bit alternative.

Kotaraya has gone a bit upmarket over the years from a small rather dark restaurant to a large light filled bustling place with an extensive and trendy looking menu. The food has stayed the same though-consistently above average. The restaurant offers Malaysian, Chinese and Thai cuisine so there will probably be something for everyone. I have only tried their Malaysian food, but the Chinese and Thai food that I saw being served looked very appetizing. The service is friendly if a bit disorganized. Overall prices are low to moderate.

I tried Ice Cafe after reading some good reviews, and I wasn't disappointed. The decor is trendy but welcoming, and staff were friendly and very obliging. The fixed price lunch menu-$20 for 2 courses and wine, and $27 for 3 courses and wine is amazingly good value. I couldn't resist ordering the 3 courses and enjoyed every course. The flavours and presentation were fine dining quality. They even managed to serve me all three courses within an hour (after I informed them that I had parked at a one hour spot).

Kofi Beans is a Moroccan oasis in dinky-di Croydon. The decor is fabulous-amazing North African accessories fill the cafe, and it has an exotic yet warm ambiance. The food is generally great. Fresh, good quality ingredients, skillfully seasoned and cooked, but serves can sometimes be quite small-for example the lunch time prawn dish on couscous is priced at nearly $20 and comes with only 3 (excellent quality) king prawns. The cafe is often very busy at lunch time, and the waiting staff are great-very efficient and friendly. It is obvious that this cafe has a real commitment to quality.

I have to say after reading all the glowing reviews on WOWMOW, I couldn't wait to try Misty's. I read the menu online and it sounded great-I have been to the USA and it seemed authentic. It started well. The diner certainly has a lot of character, and you feel as if you are genuinely in the States. The service is also friendly and staff seems very eager to please. Unfortunately what let the experience down was the food. This may also be authentically American, as American food has a reputation more for quantity than quality. The french fries were great, but the burgers were disappointing. I felt that the quality of the roll, meat and fillings was similar to what I would expect at fast food restaurant (where you are paying $3-$4 for a burger)-not that of a cafe where you are paying $12 for a burger. In my opinion, gourmet burger places such as Grill'd do a better quality burger for a similar price. Of course, the other dishes on the menu may be much better, but I can't say that I'm in a hurry to go back and try them!

I have been to Flippin' Pancakes now several times, and have been particularly impressed with the cafe on my most recent visit. The crepes both savory filled (the chicken, and the spinach) and sweet were outstanding, and the one pancake dish we ordered (potato with cheese) was also delicious. Even the salad was great-very fresh, great variety of veges and lovely dressing. They are very child friendly, and service is warm and welcoming. The decor is somewhat olde style which is appropriate. The value for money is excellent.

With its casual but stylish decor, Spoonful likes to give the impression that you are eating at a friend's place-if your friend were an excellent cook and very well heeled. The food is always fresh, contemporary and well presented, with the little touches of extra flavor that raise it well above the ordinary. Prices are very fair given the quality. The service is efficient but not effusive. There is a small cafe/provisions store next door called Teaspoon which is part of the same business, where you can get delicious looking upmarket sandwiches and pastries/cakes.

I had a half hour massage at Simply Pampered as a Priceline "pamper package" reward, and was very impressed with my massage therapist. The salon is somewhat basic, with rather cramped massage cubicles, but everything was very clean. The cubicle was kept comfortably warm with a heater, and during the massage there was soothing new-age style music playing. The massage was of excellent quality-the therapist was obviously very skillful and she had a professional and capable approach.

Gourmet Dumpling Restaurant is a new addition to the bevy of Chinese restaurants at the Dandenong Road end of Glenferrie Road, but it does have something different to offer. It brings to mind the dumpling restaurants in Box Hill or the city (such as Camy's) both in price (very reasonable), decor and cuisine, rather than the more traditional yum cha style dumpling fare. Dumplings don't come in groups of 3 or 4, rather groups of 10, 12 or 18-so if you want to sample a variety you really have to share with others. Apparently they make all their dumplings in house, and they are good-real ingredients rather than fillers, and quality pastry. The vegetarian dumplings were particularly good. They also have soups with various additions, and a reasonably long list of non soup and dumpling chinese dishes-generally not your tradional lemon chicken style food. I ordered take away the second time I was there, and unfortunately my pan fried dumplings were a bit burnt-a disappointment after my outstanding first visit, when I dined in.