If you need framing of almost anything Silver K is are one of the best in Melbourne. Ask to see Jenny and she will ensure that they have a frame to suit your artworks or paintings.

If you love animation, you can spend a few hours viewing an extensive animation art portfolio which has everything from traditional Disney, Hanna Barbera to the more modern Simpsons animation art works. For Beatles, Rolling Stones and Marilyn Monroe fans there's also plenty of art, photos and images available here too.

Colin, Sonia and Rob are all very knowledgeable about animation art.

Approximate cost: $variable

Before buying IT items I always check their website as their prices are generally lower than anyone else even when others are on sale. Delivery and service and products are great.

Approximate cost: $varies

Consistently good food and very generous sized servings of almost everything you order. The good thing about this place is the variety and diversity of dishes on offer ranging from roti to laksa to noodles to chicken or fried rice, congee and even some dim sum items! Ok, it's not gourmet food but for a quick meal on the run it's a great place to grab something and service is normally fast and efficient.

Approximate cost: $10

One of the first Bread Tops in Victoria, this place still offers Asian style breads and cakes along with more traditional western offerings. Try the Tuna Bun with mayo and egg, Ham and Cheese Croissant or Ham and Mayo buns. All at around $2 per bun it's great value. Taste and quality of foods are great and these are all baked fresh daily, not to mention the fact that by the end of lunch time most items are sold out. Great for a quick bite or if you need a cake for a special occasion. The place is very clean and because of turnover, you won't taste overnight food from this place.

Approximate cost: $3

If you want ultra fresh sushi, sashimi and nori rolls visit Ayame for very high quality food. It's a true Japanese restaurant run by Japanese (compared to some which are run by Chinese!!) The sushi/sashimi platter is both a visual and taste bud delight with many types and styles on the one plate - let the sushi chef decide for you what to put on the plate so he can put the freshest available from the market that morning. Spicy tuna rolls are a trademark here and have a hint of chilli to give a great flavour to already fresh fish. Other dishes on the menu are more fusion Japanese and if you've ever seen the Iron Chef show on SBS then these are some of the style of dishes you will taste. What may seem strange and odd actually works well such as the duck with soya beans. Gyoza (Japanese dumplings) have a special chilli sauce served in addition to the regular soy sauce. More traiditional dishes are also available such as teriyaki chicken, tempura and crumbed pork cutlets. For desserts order a mix of desserts/sampler pack so you can try no only the ice creams but the cakes too which is a great way to end a Fusion Japanese meal.

Approximate cost: $25

If you're not after the latest and greatest from Nike and can handle being a season behind or so then head over to the Nike Factory store. There's sports shoes a plenty here at anywhere from 20% to 80% off depending on the style and size. Sizes can be broken/not guaranteed however if you do find your size you'll probably find it's much much cheaper than in normal department stores. Previous season's clothing from all kinds of sports are available here and depending on how old it is can be more than 60% off. There are also days where they give a further 20% off the marked price or buy 2 get one free or other promotion which means an even better bargain. Sometimes the clothes/shoes are only a couple of months old after a particular sporting event (eg rugby season ends and stock ends up here quite fast)

Approximate cost: $varies

For the best Shanghainese/Northern Chinese Food in Melbourne head down to Bamboo House which has consistently provided good Northern Chinese food for more than 20 years. Dishes of note here are the Peking Duck, which can be made into three dishes - soup, peking duck and sang choi bao. Other favourites include pot sticker dim sum, steamed dumplings with soup inside (Xiao loong bao), green onion pancake, chicken with spring onion - (chin chao kai) and more. Normally rice is not the staple here as Northern Chinese is based more on wheat products so order some buns (man tou) to go with the dishes. Essentially everything here runs like clockwork and the waiters most attentive but not intrusive. The decor changes slightly each week with two pots that have decorative flower displays between the different levels. A private dining room is available for larger functions. Whilst prices are on the high side, it is a fine dining restaurant that represents value for money in its class.

Approximate cost: $25

Initially when we tried this place a year and a half ago it was a revelation in fish and chips. However lately we feel that the quality has gone down. On the last three occasions the batter looked and tasted almost burnt (dark brown batter) on the fish and the size of the fish seemed smaller. We normally order the family pack to share which used to be good value. The tartare/aoili seems to have changed to a commercial grade sauce wheras previously the sauce seemed to have a more "home made taste". The potato cakes were very crispy which is fine for the outside but not the inside of the potato cake. It tasted more like we were eating dried Smiths chips packed together in batter. Good potato cakes are crispy on the oustide but smooth and full of potato on the inside. The chips get soggy quickly (see my other review for good crispy chips with soft potato centre at East Doncaster Seafood supplies). One time they forgot to put the tartare sauce in the pack and when we rang up and complained they advised we would receive a credit on the next purchase, however they denied this when we next visited and wanted to give extra tartare to make up for the last time however who needs extra tartare for the same amount of fish and chips?? It is like saying I will give you extra sauce for your hamburger when you don't need any more! They eventually agreed to reduce the price by $1 which was not what we were advised when we rang up and complained. I am not averse to paying high prices for simple foods, however the price charged must match the quality and service of the offering.

Approximate cost: $15

You thought that fish and chips were well, just fish and chips? At this place they seem to care about the quality of the fish and chips on offer so much so that queues form outside this place during peak dinner times of 6-8pm. The shop next door which also sells fish and chips doesn't rate so highly with very little queues. Fish - either flake, blue grenadier or others are always fresh, don't smell funny and even the grilled versions still retain their flavour and taste (most go for fried). The chips are amazing and still remain crispy even when you get home! (Other places we have been to after 15 minutes the chips go soggy. They pack the chips in a separate box to the fish so that the oil from the batter doesn't go all over the chips and provide tartare and lemon wedges to go with the fish. Serving size of the fish is very generous as is the size of the minimum order of chips. Pre order and they'll give you a number instead of you leaving your name so that if your name is Smith, at least your order won't get mixed up with another Smith! Service is always pleasant and efficient

Approximate cost: $8

Ok, yes it's a chain food outlet, however the store is in the heart of Box Hill and has some amazing deals at lunch time $6.90 for ANY small pizza and can of drink or $7.90 for ANY entree pasta and can of drink - can't go wrong with that. Serving size is generous and the prices are reasonable. Entree size pastas are really enough for two to share and even calzone entree provides you with two pieces where other La Porhettas only provide one as an entree.

Approximate cost: $10