Happily, I have discovered this great hip little spot and can be found sitting in the large sunny window scoffing a gorgeous brekkie and slurping great coffee on occasional weekends. I have called in through the week for coffee, lunch or a snack and it is always the same....wonderful friendly welcome, fantastic coffee and beautiful food. Having gone in on my own a few times I have been happy to share a table, move when the stools are free and generally mix with the happy crowd and the staff are always really sweet about my being flexible. Best new spot in town!

Whilst I love and applaud the actual cinema and the gorgeous bookshop and really value the service this wonderful place offers I really think the café is not up to scratch at all! I have been for pre and post movie drinks, coffee and food during the day and at night and no matter how busy or slow they are the service is deadly, the coffee is awful and the food dry and unappetising which, given the great opportunity they have created is a real shame! Lift your game guys and take some pride! 20 mins. for lousy coffee/tea/chai is just not good enough and can you do something about those awful dry desserts you offer? In every other respect though....The State rocks!

We moved into Thomas Street as Danny J was building his Hospital so I got the guided tour in around 1998? and that was that! He has seen our family through all the ups and downs of a well populated animal family ever since, even when we have lived interstate and overseas! I have driven dogs from Canberra, rung him from Hobart and even called fom London I am so confident of his and his teams skills and advice. It is also great to know that if Danny is not there the others in the team of vets are really caring and knowledgeable and his nurses are always outstanding and will do anything to help. They are always great but when things are worst they are at their best and that is definitely what you need from a vet and their staff! They are a happy bunch too and do a lot of rehoming through the hospital which I really admire.

The best thing about San Sal is that if you are someone that likes to have a 'favourite' stylist you will find one here but I like flexibility so look for a salon with really high skills levels in the stylists and colourists. All the people here are just fantastic and Bec is just the best colourist I have EVER had and I have had my hair coloured and cut all over the place before settling. The other great thing is what a happy team they are so that going there also gives you a bit of a lift which is what a good pamper should do. I love their professionalism - they really know what suits me and what my hair needs (it is difficult) but always listen to me and I have a real relationship with them. I love the well run and happy salon Marwan runs here!

This is without question THE BEST coffee bayside in my opinion. It is given a nudge by the coffee place a few blocks up the road but really, it has a great range, knowlegeable and relaxed friendly service and could not be in a more convenient place after a full Hampton St. shop. My only beef is that it is no secret how great it is so it is really buzzy yet I always manage to bag a stool at the window or table if there are more of us! I try not to have a muffin but the apple, walnut and zuchini is surprisingly good on a cold day and makes me almost feel healthy!

Marnie has spent almost more time at here than at home this year due to us working interstate! It was recommended by a friend and we feel so lucky to have found Dogs Country Club! We normally never leave Marnie at kennels as she is a rescue dog and can be easily worried and needy but have had to this year and she has just thrived in this environment with the fantastic socialisation, attention and care she has been given by Paul, Donna and the team (of thousands it seems)! She flys out the door when the van turns up to collect her (ROAD TRIP!!!) and comes home happy, healthy (please diet my dog is the usual request), and so relaxed and smiley it is almost a shame to drag her away! I always thought the old 'send your dog on a holiday' line was a crock but she seems so relaxed when she comes home I never worry about her. It is a real relief to have found such a great place with people who know and love dogs and love what they do. Oh, when I call to see how she is they can tell me who she is playing with this week... I love that! She seems to have a thing for Labs and whippets!

I thought I would update my review as Rosie has spent actual months of this year with Susan and the team whilst we have been working interstate. She has taken over the cattery, learned two new languages, launched a coup on the tomcats put on a (much needed) kilo and taught Susan the benefits of broom handles as an adjunct to the gentle art of persuasion in getting her down from the rafters where she peers eerily upside down at the other cats! Since she has been home she has demanded equal speech, taught the dog to whine and refused enough food to feed the RSPCA!! We are trying to 'take back' the power as we speak but it may come to counselling or a powersharing arrangement with Susan involved in dispute resolution! If you are looking for a moggy 'home away from home'.....beware of what you wish for..... Thanks Susan!!!

The great thing about this place is my cat comes home sleek and relaxed and happy as if she has never been away! She is on medication too and they are meticulous. They even took great care of my dear old 22 y.o. girl. They seem to just know what the cats like and need to stay happy and engaged. The facilities are fantastic and there is NO smell of cat pee, EVER, which so many catteries have! Last time I came back early and my girl was racing around the open area in the sunshine playing with a feather toy and having a ball. I have had to leave my cats in boarding all over the country but this is the best facility I have come accross, partly because of the fantastic setup and very much because of the intelligent and thoughtful people who run it. Cant recommend it highly enough! Oh, and I get texts and photos on my phone whilst I am away too which I rather like.

Approximate cost: $25 p.d.