I went here for dinner after purchasing a Scoopon voucher. It was pleasant, and the staff were friendly, but it wasn't amazing. For entree I had chilli and garlic prawns. It was an appropriate entree size and was quite tasty, however the prawns were overcooked which was disappointing. My partner had chorizo and pork sausages with a spinach dip, which he enjoyed. For main course I ordered the eye fillet, cooked medium rare. It came out... medium rare! Huge plus when my steak is cooked as it should be! The sauce with it was rich and thick, with soft potatoes and spinach with truffle oil. I really enjoyed my main course. My partner ordered the Wagyu CNF Burger with house cut chips. It was huge! He enjoyed it, though the base was a bit soggy. The chips were yum.
Overall it was a pleasant night, and I'd be willing to go back and try them out during the day.

I went here for breakfast with a friend and we both ordered delicious meals. I had lime and coconut rice pudding, served with poached pears, pistachios, dried cranberries, and a pomegranite molasses. It was so yummy and the flavours worked really well together. It was a really big serve too! My friend ordered the lavender and vanilla panna cotta, served with poached fruit and granola. Yum. She thought it was a bit sweet for breakfast, but I finished it off for her it was so delicious! The lavender was a lovely change and was the star of the dish. Unfortunately my coffee was a bit burnt, but I would definitely forgive that and come here again, their whole menu looked awesome.

I booked a regular cart service with Real Automotive through fixedpricecarservice.com.au and am so glad I did! I'm always hesitant with mechanics I haven't been to before, because I know nothing about cars and what things should cost. The car service was quoted by Fixedprice.. and was guaranteed, so there were no surprises there. Peter, the mechanic, was really friendly and really straight up with me regarding how my car was running, what needed fixing imminently and how much that would cost, and what could wait for a while. This is what I want in a mechanic! Someone who tells me what's going on when I don't know what to look for! After checking what he'd done with a few friends who know more than I do, they also agreed it was fairly priced. My car felt awful, and now purrs, and as an added bonus, Peter didn't charge me for my wipers! (I always feel like they're overpriced!) Really friendly, close to public transport, and efficient. I'll be sticking with these guys from now on!

Approximate cost: $Basic service, $169

This is an online service which hosts a range of mechanics from around Australia. You can go to the website and search for the price of a interim or major car service, or any other mechanic needs. These prices are guaranteed if you book through them, and they take care of organising the booking with the mechanic. I used these guys as I'm always wary of taking my car to an unknown mechanic, especially when I know nothing about cars! Fixedprice Car Services also offer an assistance line if you have any questions or advice regarding recommendations made by the mechanic. I found my current mechanic through them, and agree with the previous positive customer reviews! My car was fixed according to the price I was quoted (a nice change) and the mechanic was friendly. The booking was easy and I didn't even have to go through the drama of booking it in myself. Well worth going through fixedpricecarservice.com.au if you're on the hunt for a new, or more affordable mechanic.

Located next to the cinema in Waurn Ponds, Bella's is a great place to grab pizza or pasta before a movie. Their pizza's are nice, standard, and on par with La Porcetta, who were at this business before them. The pasta dishes are also as expected, and whilst staff aren't always hugely efficient, they are always friendly and courteous. I love going here for a quick pizza fix before a movie, and its location for that is perfect.

After buying an all you can eat scoopon, my partner and I were excited for a night filled with delicious dumplings! It was not to be so. The dumplings were tasteless (except the spinach one which tasted like grass), they were gluey, and most of them were cold. The spring onion pancake was tasteless stodge, and unfortunately the waiters didn't seem to know what they were doing, with some telling us they would bring us everything, and others coming to take an order.
There's potential for Shanghai Dumpling House to be a great spot on Chapel St to go, unfortunately it does not even compare to most of the other establishments in the area.

I love a good steak, but so many places can't seem to cook it! After coming here for dinner prior to a show, myself and the two others I went with had a really enjoyable night. We all ordered an eye fillet cooked medium rare (always wondering if we should order rare to get a medium rare!) and they were all cooked to perfection! They were accompanied by really delicious sauces (we ordered a red wine sauce, a mushroom sauce, and a peppercorn sauce), and the salad and chips to accompany were also a yummy accompaniment, not just making the plate look full! The restaurant is even decked out with LCD screens which overlook the grills in the kitchen, and you can watch the chefs cooking your steak! These guys also have a steak club membership for the real fans. I'm not from near Docklands, but I will definitely be going back there for a steak!

Approximate cost: $28-$46 for a steak

I've been to this bustling little cafe for lunch and breakfast on separate occasions and have loved it both times! Lunch on a Saturday, the cafe was full, but we only waited a couple of minutes to be seated at a fun communal table. I had the most delicious pulled pork belly brioche burger, and my friend had the gorgonzola and polenta with asparagus dish. Both were quite different, and both were quite delicious! Breakfast on a Friday morning was much less busy, but the atmosphere was still fun and energetic, and staff were still really friendly. I had the yogurt panna cotta wih fresh fruit and nut clusters, and my friend had their bircher muesli with poached pear. Again, both were yummy, and the perfect thing for breakfast! Their cooked breakfasts look delicious as well, and I will definitely be heading back for more!
They also have a range of single origin coffees which are served a range of ways.
Another lovely 'hip' cafe in Melbourne!!

After reading a blog about the best burgers in Melbourne, I went to Barney Allen's to try theirs. The restaurant is set up as a gastro pub, and was lovely and warm after being outside on a bitter Melbourne winter night! The staff were friendly and our food arrived quite quickly.
I had the Barney Allen burger with fries and it. was. delicious! A thick beef patty which was juicy and tender, on a crisp and fresh bun. The burger also had tomato, lettuce, cheese, a beetroot relish, an onion jam, and a mayonnaise. The combination was great and I was pleased we went. The serving was big and filling, which is what I expect when ordering a burger!
This is my top burger now!

Approximate cost: $13 +3 for fries

I went here for a weekday lunch with two others. It was wet and cold outside, so the warmth radiating from the fireplace when we walked in was bliss! Like many of the restaurants along Flinders Lane, there was a special lunch menu, presumably because of the business lunch rush. Despite being a Wednesday the restaurant was comfortably busy, and staff were friendly, competent and efficient. We ordered from the $18 lunch menu and were all very happy with the gnocchi (with pumpkin puree and pine nuts), the beef and pork burger, and the tuna steak with nicoise salad.
The food was tasty and servings were filling, great value for the price paid. The rest of the menu also looked delicious!
I'm glad that on a whim we chose to eat here, it was lovely and I will be returning.

http://www.terrarossarb.com.au/cgi-bin/download.cgi

Approximate cost: $18 + $5 glass wine/ beer