Popped in with my mum one day on her work lunch break.
I had the chicken pesto salad which was delicious.
The staff forgot to bring out our cakes. They also seemed to have great difficulty in understanding our requests- one of the items on the kids' menu was not available, so I asked for something else and it took the waitress coming back 5 times seeking clarification for us to get it sorted out.
In the end, to their credit, they did not charge us for that meal, but it made the experience quite unpleasant and lengthy, and I would not return.

Being a massage therapist myself, I am quite picky when it comes to the massage and day spa experience.
Sakura Lounge exceeded any expectations I had.
The massage was one of the best I have had. I enjoyed the genmai cha tea and little bun they served during the foot massage.
The value was excellent for a 2.5 hour spa package, and I will definitely return.
One oddity is that they will see you during pregnancy, but only from 14 weeks through to 32 weeks. I know many places refuse treatment in the first trimester, but I've never been somewhere that had such a random cutoff before.

Stopped in to grab a chai latte with a friend who was after a coffee.
The ordering system is strange- I went to the register to order, and was directed to sit down at the tables, but then no one came over for quite some time.
I ordered before my friend arrived, and her drink came first- my order was lost.
It wasn't worth the wait, and I wouldn't go back. Chai was fairly average.

This café looks super groovy, but that's about where the positives end for me.
They have a tub of toys for the kids which makes the wait for food/drinks more pleasant, however on both times I visited there was quite a wait. The staff seemed new to the café business.
The babycino was the last drink to come out, which I always think is a no-no, as the toddler is usually the noisiest!
Nachos were very average and not worth the price.
I was also disappointed to see at the local Grassroots market, that they had put a flyer promoting their café under every car's windscreen wipers- many of them blew all over the ground and made the area quite untidy.
In summary, many cafes around with nicer food and service.

I visited here with my little one to have a light lunch and a treat. Unfortunately they didn't have some basic sandwich condiments, so a cheese and cucumber sandwich it was for my 2 year old.
I was busting for a chai latte, and despite having some beautiful loose leaf chai tea, they didn't know how to make it into a chai latte, not something I've encountered before.
The cake display looks very enticing, however the gluten free options were very limited on the day I visited.
I found them child friendly only if you wanted to go and have something like a cupcake.
The slice of cake I tried was fairly average and not something I would return for.

Red Robyn is an amazing allergy friendly café that is 100% gluten free.
When my son was recently doing an elimination diet, it was the only café I could come to and confidently know that he wouldn't be served food that he couldn't have.
My boys have loved the soldiers and egg, and I've loved the sweet potato rosti.
They have a gorgeous range of cold drinks, and make a mean chai latte.
Robyn is super friendly and would often sit with us and say hi.

I dined here with a large group before seeing Wicked at the theatre.
For a steak house, I was surprised to receive a steak that was really tough and chewy.
There didn't seem to be enough staff- there was frequently no water on the table, and it was difficult to gain their attention to rectify this.
They went around with bottles of wine a few times, but as a non alcoholic drinker, I felt like I wasn't catered for.

Have dined at The Merrywell twice now, once upstairs and once downstairs.
Their milkshakes are to die for. I've tried the mushroom papardelle and it was divine.
Unfortunately their menu is not up to date with what is on their website, so the dessert I really wanted was not available. The waiter told me sheepishly that it hadn't been updated for around 12 months and that it probably needed doing.
Service is pretty impeccable from the wait staff, although it can take some time for the meals to arrive, particularly on Saturday night.
The fireballs at Crown went off right outside our table which was a highlight.
Will be returning for sure.

This has been a pitstop for us twice now after a visit to the Maroondah Adventure Mini Golf.
The kids like the house made pizza on the kids' menu.
They are quite kid friendly, with an entire kids corner with plenty of toys, and highchairs available.
Be sure to ask for the colouring in sheets and textas- it makes waiting for the meals that bit easier, and they seem to forget to bring them over.
I've encountered a rude staff member at the register when trying to redeem an Entertainment Book voucher, who told me I couldn't use it, even though they clearly hadn't read the rules of use in the book. Held up the queue for 5 minutes trying to pay for everything, so prefer not to go back after this.

Have been to the Piggery Café 3 times now.
Service has been so variable on each occasion.
The food is absolutely delicious.
I'm not sure why, but they have all their salads uncovered on a counter near the register, where customers queue to buy takeaway and pay their café bill. I've seen elbows brush the plates on the way past, and customers coughing right near them- kinda gross.
The Vahlrona hot chocolates are to die for, although if rich, bitter chocolate is not your thing, they might not be for you.
Love the accompanying house made marshmallows.