This is a typical sushi bar in the city. It has a range if sushi rolls, hot freshly cooked noodle dishes and during lunch, a small buffet. It's in the same building I work in, so it's a cheap, quick and easy lunch for me. (3 sushi rolls for $6) Their chilly salmon sushi rolls are the best! My only complaint is that at the end of the roll, the rice starts to come apart and sometimes makes for a messy end.

Approximate cost: $6 for 3 rolls

I was a gym member here for about 1 1/2 years but has to stop because we moved out of the area and was too far to continue. The gym membership included unlimited use of the swim/spa areas. I really enjoyed working out in their gym. While the gym area is quite small (the centre is more used for the pools) it was not usually difficult to get the machines you wanted. However, because of the small size, the different types of machines were limited. The one really great thing I liked about the gym was having a personal trainer always there to answer your questions and you were always able to organize a session with someone to get a program set. After a workout I usually went into the spa area, sat in the whirlpool and sauna. Ahh! Relaxation at it's best.

Approximate cost: $78/month max (various prices)

This cafe is in the same building where I work, so I go there several times a week. The coffee is reasonably priced and quite good, though not as strong as some others in the area. What they really offer is great customer service. After going there a few times, they knew exactly which coffee I wanted (medium flat white, no sugar). I was even out of cash one day and was given credit (mind you, this was after being a customer there 50+ times!). Their chocolate croissants are to die for! During lunch they are always busy at their make your own sandwich bar, but I have personally never had one of their sandwiches, so cannot really comment.

Approximate cost: $2.8 med coffee/2.5 pastries

This is one of my staples for lunchtime. It is the only sushi restaurant in the vicinity of my workplace that offers restaurant for takeaway. They prepare the sashimi and sushi rolls fresh in front of the restaurant, and I have often talked with the man preparing the sashimi. Their sushi rolls are quite good and very reasonably priced. I have heard that their noodle/hot meals are not as good as other restaurants in the area, but I have never tried them, so I can't comment.

Approximate cost: $10 sashimi/2 per sushi roll

This is both a wine cellar and a wine bar that also has fantastic beer and coffees s well as delicious cakes. I have been here several times for coffee and cake and once to taste some of their wines on offer (and buy a couple bottles!). It's a very laid back atmosphere and you have a choice of seating, either outdoor on the pavement or in the back. It is a little cramped, but that makes it even more cozy. If you want, you can even BYO your own food (the opposite of most cafes), but we never have because we enjoy their in house choice.

Approximate cost: $10

Always on the lookout for good places to eat around where I work (Queen and Lt Bourke), this cafe was a welcome addition to the restaurants in the area. It's a small cafe serving fantastic lunchtime Italian fare. I particularly like their generous slices of pizza, especially the silverbeet, prosciutto and cheese. Yum! They also have a large array of typical Italian sweets (a bit pricey in my opinion), soups and salads. Of course, they also have fantastic coffee! When working in the city, I routinely go here for lunch or periodically for a coffee after work with workmates.

Approximate cost: $8

Finding a good hairdresser is always difficult. After moving to Australia in 07, the hunt was on. About 2 months ago I decided to go to Hairworld for foils, all over colour and cut and boy was I glad I did! At first it was confusing because it was very busy (it always is on weekends) and the receptionist just said to go and sit down. No one even acknowledged me for the first 15 minutes (I was told it would be a while). Finally, Susanne (sp?) came to find out what I wanted done. She was thorough, professional, and did a great job. Best of all, it was half the cost of any other place I got my hair done in Melbourne but just as good, if not better! Only the service could be better.

Approximate cost: $69 for a cut, colour and foils

This cafe is a nice getaway in the middle of the newish Waterways residential area. It's located on one of the lakes in the middle of the estate and has an outdoor deck overlooking the lake on nice days. Plenty of wildlife to watch! I've had one of their sandwiches (smoked salmon on focaccia) which was really perfect for a light lunch and reasonably priced. The coffee is great as is expected at any cafe in the Melbourne area. With Bowen Road soon to be open, it's an easy walk for us from Aspendale Gardens. One of the times we were there, it was difficult to talk to the assistant at the counter because the owner/manager? was speaking SO loudly to the cook that he was drowning out the girl. That was the only bad experience I've had here.

Approximate cost: $10

Hubby and I first went to The Bay when we moved to the area. We've been there a few times on Sunday afternoon to check out the live music. More recently, my new mom's group organized a meet-up here in their fireplace area where we could have our prams, nurse, chat and have a lunch during the week. They were accommodating to us and we were very grateful for that! The only downside was that the quality of food just wasn't there (I had their lunch risotto). I will continue to go there periodically with hubby and bub in tow on Sundays though!

Approximate cost: $15 lunch

When our baby girl was born pre-term, she needed a little extra care and was officially put under the care of Dr Tuszynski. Martin was professional, actively sought us out to discuss our baby's care, and didn't even have a problem changing her nappy!

Approximate cost: $99 for follow-up