Reviews by ella5

This review is for Reader's Feast Bookstore, Melbourne VIC

verified email - 22 Jul 2014

This is a great bookstore with a soul. They are happy to give recommendations, order specific titles (and covers) in and also have a really good loyalty program. The owner (I think her name is Mary) also organises events with authors and the Georges building is a lovely spot for these. Great customer service and a great selection.

This review is for St. Martha's, Essendon VIC

verified email - 22 Jul 2014

This is a cute little place close to public transport which a nice ambiance and chill vibe. The food selection is excellent and they have a range of coffees and teas to choose from. Come here for attentive, friendly service and clean, warm surroundings with nice artwork supplied by students at the nearby high school.

They also do breakfast until late and have EFTPOS which makes life so much easier. It's a chilled little cafe, which serves milkshakes in proper metal milkshake cups and has up cycled tin cans into cutlerly holders for the tables.

Approximate cost: $16

This review is for Friends Of Ours Cafe, Essendon North VIC

verified email - 22 Jul 2014

Having been here on the recommendation of a friend, I was quite pleased with the food quality and choices available. This place presents everything in a lovely, modern way you see in those high-end cafes and restaurants.

They have taken your traditional cafe fare and put their own twist onto it, which really brings out a whole new set of flavours and puts them ahead of the other options in the area.

The service matches the food and staff are helpful and attentive. Definitely will return!

This review is for San Andres Of Water Garden, Taylors Lakes VIC

verified email - 22 Jul 2014

The fruit and veggies are cheap, and seasonal items or imports can be pricy (for example, I have noticed that the price of strawberries can fluctuate dramatically in the course of a week).

I'm not sure if the fruit is blemished because it's organic, but a lot of items look as nature intended, still completely edible, but not as a perfect as you'd find for double the price in the supermarket.

The service sometimes can be lacking, with cashiers allowing people to push in the line and serving them first, but you get what you pay for, I guess.

I recommend purchasing your fruit and veggies from San Andres instead of the supermarket, as you'll save yourself a lot of money. They also stock continental varieties and various health foods.

This review is for Chocolateria San Churro, Taylors Lakes VIC

verified email - 22 Jul 2014

In the entrance to the shopping centre, San Churro gets a lot of passerby traffic, meaning it can be busy depending what time you go.

They have comfy couches and the usual options as seen at every other San Churros franchise, but also have free wifi, friendly staff and a good beverage/chocolate selection.

Approximate cost: $14

This review is for Victoria's Best Kebab House, St Albans VIC

verified email - 22 Jul 2014

I'm pretty sure this place is now called Nelly's kebab under new management, but it offers the same, large kebabs at good value.

The kebabs are served in turkish bread, making them huge and delicious and they are quite happy to let you customise what you want in them - which is great when you're ordering take away for a bunch of fussy eaters.

The shop premises is clean and never seems to be too busy and the opening hours do seem to fluctuate without much notice, but if you can catch it open, you're in for a good kebab.

This review is for St Albans Pizza And Pasta Restaurant, St Albans VIC

verified email - 22 Jul 2014

This place is great for good sized, fluffy based, cheap pizzas. They're quick too. Good value for money, although they can be a little on the greasy side.

This review is for Cherry Blossom, Essendon VIC

verified email - 22 Jul 2014

I only recently discovered this place near the station, having previously been put off because they are a little more expensive than the other chinese restaurants in the immediate area - a decision I regret now. The food is delicious and less oily/greasy than your usual Chinese food and tasted better because of it.

I also feel that there was less sugar used in their sauces as the plum sauce was more tart, and had a more authentic, interesting taste because of it.

The pan-fried dumplings were lovely and crisp, with a nice meaty filling - I'd recommend them to anyone.

They also are happy to discuss what they use in their kitchen - which is handy for anyone with dietary requirements or food allergies.

This review is for Sam's Cafe, Niddrie VIC

verified email - 22 Jul 2014

Sam's cafe is a great option on Keilor Rd and has the capacity to cater to larger groups. The staff are the rare combination of attentive and laid back, meaning that they don't mind you sitting there and chatting with friends and are happy to pop over and give you heaps of time to choose from the menu.

I usually come here for brunch and would recommend the nutella pizza to anyone. It's a bit more like a calzone, but comes cut up into shareable, bite sized pieces.

They don't however make all their food fresh (eg. the waffles) but the staff are always happy to let you know what's in the food and answer any questions.

It's a great place with a chill vibe, perfect for socialising.

This review is for Creme Cafe, Essendon VIC

verified email - 22 Jul 2014

A friend and I came here for a evening catch up after our dinner and we were met with enthusiastic staff - that was until they realised that we didn't wish to order anything more than a coffee and a tea.

My friend and I both felt that the staff were a little put out by having our custom, as one of them rapidly cleared the table and then we were promptly ignored - which meant we found it difficult to get more beverages. We were glad we chose to eat elsewhere as the service seemed to be a problem.

This was confirmed when they left the door open so the cold air came in - which I thought was in bad taste and rather an unprofessional way of getting everyone to leave.