I live in Eltham, so if I need meat, off to Zac's I go. My husband discovered the place right after we moved here and we've been extremely pleased with it every since. The guys in there are fantastic and have on more than one occassion, prepared meat to my specific requests (no easy fete at times haha). We've never gotten anything but top quality meat from Zac's.

Approximate cost: $15

A good quality traditional take-out pizza. You won't find lamb pizzas or chicken tandoori pizzas or even roasted pumpkin pizzas at Nando's, but you will get a good tasting, topping filled pizza - like they made when I was a kid. Have ordered from here several times and haven't had a bad experience with them. Always courteous on the phone as well.

Approximate cost: $20.00/family size pizza

This is without a doubt the best supermarket I've found in Melbourne. The range of fresh produce, dairy products, deli meats and cheeses, as well as the everyday grocery (food) items are unbelievable. Whilst a bit pricier than your Wooly's or Coles, its due to the quality of the food. Imagine your best butcher, deli, fruit and veg shop all in one place, with grocery items to boot and that's what Leo's is.

The service has always been really great when we've been. The employees seem knowledgable about the products they sale and eager to assist you.

This is my supermarket of choice, even though it is several suburbs away.

Approximate cost: $varies

We started taking our chocolate lab to DogZone back in 2003, as we were living inner city and had no back yard. We figured it would be a good place to socialize and get some energy out of him, so he didn't go stir crazy whilst we were at work.

It worked - he loved loved loved it and was always excited to get in the car, because he knew where he was going. I'm absolutely certain that part of his placid, happy nature is due to his time at DogZone.

These days, our little white fluffy dog enjoys time at DogZone, playing with old friends and making new ones.

Sally and her team are absolutely amazing with all manner of dogs. Not only do they keep them entertained, they also offer training services and grooming. Sally does an amazing job grooming young Bailey and its super hard to get his fur straight. Nevertheless, he always comes home looking beautiful!

He's even on occasion made stuff like calendars and bookmarks for me whilst at doggy day care, which although my co-workers think is insane, I love immensely.

Approximate cost: $40/full day

Really great seafood, surprisingly, for a small inner suburb cafe. The quality is better than many pricey seafood places in the city.

They do takeaway, which is great, cause the place is always PACKED - like, can't beat your way to the restrooms packed! Probably best to get a reservation on most nights, just to be safe.

Well worth being among the other sardines though, as the food is yuuuummy!

I wandered in this shop one day whilst walking down Chapel Street, as the fitness clothes in the window looked fun - different.

Primarily, its a yoga clothing shop, but they have all kinds of fitness clothing there really.

I've had a few of their pants/tops for over two years now and have worn the heck out of them and they're still holding up as if new! The best wearing, most comfortable, longest lasting pieces of fitness clothing I've ever owned.

When I joined Curves in Eltham, I did it more so because I knew I needed to move my bum, rather for enjoyment. I've never liked to exercise and didn't think this would be any different.

I've extremely enjoyed my time at Curves. The ladies are friendly, but not in your face friendly. The music is great and makes you want to move. The 30 minute workout probably wouldn't be great for big time fitness freaks, but for someone like me, its just perfect.

Approximate cost: $40/month

We have driven by Taos many times on the way home and decided to finally check it out, as the exterior always looked welcoming.

We went on a Friday evening at 7:00pm and there would have been only a handful of people dining. From the moment we walked in, the service was splendid.

The menu is a set menu - $38.00 for lunch and $48.00 for dinner. It was worth every cent!

We started with the Chef's Selection of Starters, which was three handmade appetizers on a beautiful platter. For Entree, I had the Raw Beef Tatashi, while my husband and daughter both enjoyed the Sashimi Platter. Next came a wonderful Grilled Mushroom kebab. The soup course was next, where I experienced the best Cream of Mushroom soup I've ever had. I didn't realize that mushroom soup could be this tasty. I seriously could have made a whole meal of this course! My husband and daughter had the Ginseng Chicken Herbal Soup and it must have been enjoyed, as there wasn't a drop left in the bowl. A small glass of a refreshing apple sorbet was brought with the soup. By the time the soup course was finished, we were indeed, bursting at the seams! The main course did not disappoint though and beckoned to be tried. For myself, it was the Baked Fish of the Day, while my husband and daughter both sunk into the Hotstone Sizzling Steak. Even though I was probably fuller than is safe, my daughter insisted I try a bite of this, in exchange for a small bit of baked fish. The flavors were divine and the meat was melt in your mouth tender in both dishes! As if we hadn't had enough, we stayed for the dessert, as it was on the set menu and who can pass up a good dessert! The Creme Brulee, which I had been looking forward to all evening, was just perfect. My husband had ordered the Fresh Fruits Sago, which I will admit to turning my nose up at the sound of. That said, I did try a bit and wow - I've never had a dessert catch me by surprise like that. It was reminiscent of an island get away, with hints of apple, coconut and other things I couldn't quite pick.

At the end of the gorging, the waiter brought my daughter a small gift box. Who doesn't love presents?!? She was ecstatic to see that it had a small tea pot in it. She will definitely be drinking more tea now as it is lovely and has already said that it is her new favorite restaurant.

The presentation of the food was probably the stand out part of the evening. Every dish was carefully prepared and just beautiful - so much so that you feel you should take a picture before enjoying.

I definitely recommend a visit to Taos if you're in the mood for a great meal and a tickling of the senses! I know that we'll be back.

Approximate cost: $48.00 set menu

The best pizza in Melbourne - bar none! I'm a huge fan of New York style pizza, so had to try this place out when I heard about it. Have ordered from here many times and have never been disappointed. The only New York style pizza joint in Melbourne, from what I've seen. The pepperoni and extra cheese is amazing! The pizzas are huge (in true New York form), so don't be expecting one of the measly little Pizza Hut pizzas .. it takes a full house of people to finish off these babies!

Even though my family was slightly out of their normal delivery range (we were living in Prahran at the time), they always managed to bring the pizza anyway and once when I over-tipped the delivery guy, he popped back round later with change. Truly amazing service!!

The guys should definitely look into getting a website though to better promote themselves, as well as to get their menu online.

Approximate cost: $25/pizza - but worth it!

City Chic is a fantastic store for larger ladies, that stock sizes 14-26. These aren't the clothes your Grandma would wear and for younger, trendier girls that are on the larger side, its the place to shop! The saleswomen are always super helpful and are honest when you try on something that doesn't quite suit you. They have both casual clothes, clothes for a nice night out and suitable work wear. I can't recommend this place highly enough.

Approximate cost: $150/nice outfit