Spinach dip and Greek salad! Spinach dip and Greek Salad! Spinach dip and Greek salad! Aparently I was screaming these out in my sleep the other night...
The Egg BAsket Deli can be easy to miss as you zoom along behind a tram like a snail with a heart condition down Whitehorse Road in Balwyn. But, it is there. Tucked away. Not glamorous, but who needs that when the food and service are so good? A large range of breads, and real bagels...not just rolls with a hole in them...as well as dips, olives, meats, salads, mouth watering desserts, coffee and lots of other temptations to keep your tastebuds occupied.
They even have a roast and a few other things that you can take away for lunch, or if you are lucky, you can sit at one of their few cafe tables.
The staff and owners are lovely and ready to help.
It is the real thing in a neighbourhood of often try hard cafes.

Approximate cost: $varies

Clothes, clothes, clothes. For some reason I keep buying them, even though never a day goes by that I risk having to call in nude for work.
inZagi is one of my absolute favourite shopping stops. I am a size 14-16, and even though I am of the amzon species, I can by clothes there.
It is true that most of the stock is for teeny tiny women - but, given that a large percentage of my wardrobe is from there, I can't really claim discrimination.
The sales staff are all gorgeous girls and ready to help. And, the best part is - they get new stock in every week (I think,) so there is always an excuse to wander in.

Approximate cost: $from $30 up...

Let's talk finances. I have three young children. It costs me a total of $21 just to get in to playdays. And what do you get for your buck? The joy of being able to sit at a sticky table - if you are lucky enough to get a table. And, the pleasure of paying through the nose for the most basic and revolting food and coffee this side of the equator. And no, I don't believe that to be an exageration.
Furthermore, because of the dingy lighting and general grubbiness of the place, the whole experience can be best described as the play center you take your children to post appocolypse. After a few minutes of being in there I do find my mind wandering to canned goods and stored water.

Approximate cost: $call a lending officer

For those of you who are sick and tired of paying $50 for a piece of steak that you could have cooked better at home on your BBQ. Wildflower is for you. Elegant cuisine in a chic, yet relaxed, environment - one of the most impressive things about the resturant is that the staff are friendly, unobtrusive, and don't hover around as if you own them.
The menu is sublime, and the fact that you can make sense of what the dishes are is a huge plus. No more accidentally ordering sweetbreads (a dish made of the pancreas of a baby animal) and thinking you are getting some kind of croissant. The menu has challenging flavours, but nothing too outrageous. And, with treats like: Lime cured Kingfish and green mango salad with ponzu dressing at $18.50, and Beef fillet with smoky bacon and cabbage, potato mash and garlic butter at only $35.00 who isn't leaving happy? You are not human if you do not order the side dish of roast pumpkin and pesto...or perhaps, you just don't like roast pumpkin, or pesto. And, the Goats cheese stuffed zucchini flower and
warm salad of mushroom and globe artichoke is now at the bottom of my food pyramid. But, what about dessert I hear you think? Well, check out the website, but for a mere $15.00 you can choose any three of 22 offerings...and please do not go past the condensed milk icecream. Really. We all need more calcium right?

Approximate cost: $32.00

If you ever wake up with the urge to go to Europe but find that your passport is out of date, you have 3 young kids, and a mortgage weighing you down, then this is the stop for you. Xocolatl (choc-a-la-till). This beautiful store has two locations. The first in Maling Rd. Canterbury and the second at 11 Strathalbyn St. Kew East. The moment you walk through the door you feel like you have just snuck away from your contiki tour group and have found the real gem of the trip. The ambience is best described as classic elegance with pinch of the modern. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and appear to really enjoy their job. And who wouldn't? They are surrounded by some of the most delicious and artfully crafted chocolates in Australia. All the standard favourites are there, from caramel to cherry liquer. But, come in with an open mind (and mouth) and you will try such wonders as balsamic strawberry, gorgonzola and mango jelly, basil and champagne, cardamom, and ginger and chilli. With the best coffee I have found around town, sometimes I just pop in for a cappuccino (or 3). But, drinks don't stop there. Come in for the only Chai Latte you should ever have, a choice of four different velvety hot chocolates, a fine cup of imported French tea, or a real iced coffee - they pour the espresso shot over your milk and ice cream at your table. They also offer some menu items such as: strawberry fondue, Scandinavian iced berries, bircher muesli, berry bombe, and a range of gourmet breads with flavours like cranberry and coconut, and banana and chocolate. The business is family owned and operated. And when I say family I mean four people. The father, Christos (head Chocolatier) and his wife Jenny, are most often in the kitchen with their youngest daughter Tina (petite Chocolatier). Madeline, their first daughter can be found either managing the store from behind the counter or locked away in the office getting things done. As far as I am concerned, they should all be nominated for Australian of the Year awards! Sure, if you are trying to loose weight. Don't come in here. But, to all of you who are in that boat - I say, life is too short. Don't let your last words be, "I wish I had gone to Xocolatl!"

Approximate cost: $each choc is abot $1.60, coffees are standard pric