I really enjoyed going to this little restuarant by the ocean. The view is lovely and it has a cozy feel. It can be sqaushy when busy because it is a pretty small place. The breakfast is awesome but lunch is also lovely. They do nice smoothies. The meals are decently sized.

The Groove Lounge is appropriately named and is a funky laid back place to eat or have a few drinks with friends. They have couches as well as tables and you can eat outside which is great in the summer. They cater for small and large groups quite well. I love the Calzone and the nachos. The music gives a good atmosphere and the staff are usually very friendly.

Approximate cost: $17.00

Atomic Bar is a funky place to eat. The set up is cool as you can sit inside and outside. Eating outside on a summer night is beautiful. The food is nice and has a good selection of things to share as well as individual serves. Can get crowded and busy but this adds to the feel. I think that they do functions upstairs too but haven't explored this myself.

Approximate cost: $17.00

Good place to go for a meal or a drink with friends. I enjoyed the chicken parmagiana and also calamari is nice there. Can get crowded as the evening goes on which can be a good or bad thing, depending on the type of night you are after.

Approximate cost: $20.00

The Lake View is a great place to go for a few drinks and snacks after work; particularly in the summer. There is a nice feel around the place with a view of the lake which is nice when there is water in it. They have some pretty good "happy hour" prices, particularly on beer. Their beverages range is quite good. The restaurant is ok too but not usually what I go for.

I've had some difficulties with my golden retriever's knee recently and seem to be at the vet more than my own doctor. Ruth and all the staff are caring and considerate. My two dogs get quite anxious at the vets and they always take the time and be gentle with them. The treatment for my retriever's knee has been great and she is now on the mend without forcing us to get a bank loan to pay for it.

These guys have the best flat bread I have ever tasted. I have now moved away from Portland and miss my weekly flat bread like crazy. Falafel, lentil burger, salmon patties; you name it. The roast veges and different sauces on top are beautiful too. They also sell pies, pasties and sausage rolls which are not your standard range. The staff are friendly with a very country town feel.

Approximate cost: $8

I liked the idea of going to this "African/Safari theme" pub and it was pretty cool; although not ideal for animal lovers as fake (i hope) mounted animal heads were around the place which was somewhat disconcerting for me. I had risotto which was quite nice. We had actually gone for the "beer and parma" which wasn't available at the time. There is a bar as well and open fires which gives a cozy feel.

Approximate cost: $20

Also known as "Koko's," this cafe/bar is on a beautiful stretch of coast. The meals are good; I particularly liked the tapas in a group. They have the restuarant part, a bar and a beer garden out the back that has a fire going in winter. It is a nice place for dinner but I like it most for a few drinks on a Thursday or Friday night.

Approximate cost: $20

Ballarat Lodge is a motel, convention centre, wedding reception and restuarant. I recently went to the restuarant for a family dinner and it was really lovely food, although an expensive meal for a family with not a lot catered for kids. My meal was lovely and there was a pretty good selection of food for a range of tastes (for adults). I have also been to the Argentinian Grill (Fridays and Saturdays) and the food is devine. The meat is so tender. It is a buffet set up and they cut the meat you want straight off the bone and then you choose vegetables, salad and desert. I was so full, I couldn't go back for seconds or desert.