I have mixed experiences with this place. There was a shop assistant there with a beard who every visit (I visited and met with him four times) seemed to not be interested or concerned about my questions with fish. When he tested the water from my tank he scolded me about the water being dangerous and not to come back until it was ok - the tone and attitude was angry at me as if I was a child who was intent on killing fish (which is very far from the truth!) However on another visit (fifth visit) there was another sales person who wore glasses and was very helpful and patient with my questions. Whilst I initially did purchase some equipment from them I did not really feel comfortable going back until I met up with the other shop assistant. However the first few visits have made me uncomfortable about returning.
I haven't been back since however it doesn't mean I won't give them a try again given that other people have had good experiences at this place...

Approximate cost: $10

The day I visited Elizabeth was there and spent lots of time to help my poor sick fish. Unfortunately it did not survive however she explained things in detail and was very patient and understanding. She also provided good advice for novices like me on keeping fish and making sure that all my other fish in the tank would be healthy and happy. Some of the products, whilst expensive actually ended up cheaper as in the long run I used less product to get the same result (eg fish food pellets vs flakes which were being chomped up pretty fast by my fish!)

Approximate cost: $10

Out in the eastern suburbs there's a place that is packed every lunchtime whether it's Monday and businessmen or Sunday and families going crazy over fresh hot dim sum. Tai Pan is the Place for Yum Cha with over 50 types of dim sum ranging from old favourites such as spring rolls and daan tart (egg custard tarts) to different blends of east meets west (eg oysters with grilled cheese on top). Families on Sundays queue for ages and if you don't have a booking on the weekend then don't bother! Trolleys roll past filled with both the good (steamed baskets of dim sum) and the bad (lots of fried goodies - not so healthy but tastes good) . Har Gau, the quintessential yum cha dish by which such places are judged is deemed to be one of the best if not the best in Melbourne. Other dim sum of note is the chicken pies (always gone in the first yum cha session), fried taro (woo kok), pork dim sum (siu mai) and mock goose (vegetarian dish known as soong gnaw). Dinner at this place is average and better to look at other restaurants.

Approximate cost: $6

This is one place you can't take someone on a date unless you're into 100 yard dashes! It's pretty much get in, order, eat, get out. No dessert menu here - just oranges at the end. Service is brisk and hurried so that you'll eat your meal and leave! However, the food there is very consistent, tasty and good value for money. Try the roasts (Duck, Pork with crackling or Char Siu), seafood fresh from the tank with price lists next door to the tanks at reasonable prices. Everything from abalone, coral trout, morwong, crayfish, crab etc etc done any way you like it. There's always a queue outside the door and there's a good reason for it - wide range, reasonable prices and good tasting Cantonese Chinese Food.

Approximate cost: $15

Consistenly good Malaysian Fare - Everything is really good/authentic in taste. Chicken Rice, Roti, Noodles, all really tasty and not expensive. $9.90 buys a huge plate of chicken rice (boneless chicken) with soup. Tastes just like in Singapore/Malaysia. Buy some Kueh (coconut jellies) to take home - if they last that long - you'll probably finish them in the car!

Approximate cost: $10-15

Go for the donuts and white chocolate brownies - absolute heaven! Place is small but quality of ingredients and taste is top notch. I live in the Eastern suburbs and agree that driving out there for 45-55 minutes is not a problem - breads are natural and pure.

Approximate cost: $10

Always consistent for cakes, coffees, pastries, birthday cakes, special occasions. Ok, so service can be variable, but we go for the cakes - every time we go the cakes are consistenly good, favourite on weekends as a treat is the club sandwich. Some may knock the place, however the place is busy every night and that's an indication of how good the place is. If it were that bad, then it wouldn't be so busy.

Approximate cost: $10