Don Don is very close to my partner's office in South Melbourne, and sometimes on my days off, we meet up for lunch. Invariably, we end up at Don Don. With a small menu of well executed Japanese standards, all at an excellent price, no wonder we always go there! The service is cheerful, and your meals are usually ready by the time you've paid and moved to the side. I personally love the Japanese style curry chicken, and the Don Don box which contains rice, salad, teriyaki chicken, sukiyaki beef and some fruit, really satisfies when you're starved.

Approximate cost: $6-9

Having sustained a wrist injury (de Quervains syndrome) due to overwork, I went to see Richard at the City Baths clinic. He was most kind in this tough period and also terribly amusing during our sessions. Thanks to his treatment and the exercises he suggested, my wrist is now back to 100% functionality.

Approximate cost: $45

I have been going to Body & Health Creation for two years, and have followed them from the City Baths to their current location near the corner of Elizabeth and Queensberry Street. I have horrendous shoulder, neck and back problems caused by work, and the therapists there are excellent and professional, offering a large range of different therapies.

UPDATE 5/10: I no longer use this business - all of the therapists I saw regularly left for one reason or another, and while the service provided by the new therapists was good, it's not the same as having the same person take care of you and understand your particular problems and needs. Happily, my old therapists contacted me, and I now see them at their new premises!

Approximate cost: $65

A friend took us to Tran Tran, and we've been going back ever since. The service is always warm, and the food delicious! We especially love the spring rolls and usually have serious difficulties trying to decide what to have for mains. For dessert, the fried ice cream is a must!

Approximate cost: $20

I should say now that I'm friends with Zoi, the owner/chef, but that doesn't detract from the quality of the food. The selection is always delectable and even I have problems choosing what to have when I'm there. Try the jams as well, they're so good that I try to keep some on hand at home at all times.

Approximate cost: $10

As an ex-staff member at RHCL, you could say that I'm biased, but having gone back several times as a paying customer, I do feel that the quality of food there is consistently excellent. While it is somewhat expensive, its a treat to have either an old favourite like the corncakes or cheesy toast, or something completely new from the Specials menu. The service staff, especially Floor Manager David and Head Waiter Rocco, always take good care of their guests. Don't forget to buy some cheese - the purpose-built Cheese Room is an experience, and knowledgeable manager Matt provides the most superlative artisanal cheeses in Australia.

Approximate cost: $30

I agree that the smell is great, but the crepes are only so-so. I had one with apples and custard, and wasn't wowed either way. The first time I walked in, it was a warm-ish summer day and I was looking forward to a lovely cold drink and a delicious crepe. However, I waited a full 5 minutes at the counter to order and the unsmiling staff making the crepes completely ignored me. Fair enough that you're busy, but the least you could do is smile, acknowledge the customer's presence and say that you'll be with them in a moment. The second time I went it was at the behest of a friend, and while the service was friendlier, I still don't feel all that warm and fuzzy towards this place. I would only eat here if I had a serious crepe craving that really couldn't wait, otherwise, I'd rather give someone else the business.

Approximate cost: $5

I agree with Liv from Hawthorn - quality is really variable. When I was at Uni a few years back, Trotters was the go-to for an occasion, or if we felt like treating ourselves a bit. This year, we've been 4 times, and it's been alternately good and not so great - we left twice very satisfied, and another two times dissatisfied with tough, bark-y mushrooms in the arancini and a thorougly underwhelmining pumpkin ravioli. I really do want them to buck up though, as I do love this place - the gnocchi with blue cheese sauce is so soul warming on a frigid Melbourne Winter night.

Approximate cost: $15-20

The recurrent theme in all the other reviews is going to Thresherman's while at Uni, and I'm afraid I'm no different. I had many excellent (and good value) fry-up breakfasts here, and it was our favourite spot for an off campus lunch. The service is usually cheerful, and you get excellent value for your money.

Approximate cost: $8

I love Japanese food and come from a family of Japanese food lovers - as a child, at least one meal a week would be at an excellent Japanese restaurant near our home. With that in mind, I found Shinjuku to be immensely pedestrian - the food was of middling quality, and not really particularly anything to rave about. All right for a mid-week meal, but not for any real occasion.

Approximate cost: $15