You go here for the view. The restaurant is perched high on the edge of the escarpment with fantastic views down to Wollongong and towards the north. The View truely is why you go. The buffet is a buffet. The food is quite edible, regularly replenished and covers all protein groups but very basic and very australian/european in taste. Picky people will basic tastes have lots to choose from but those expecting restaurant quality food and choice will be disappointed. Basic percolator coffee is included in brice but $4 more buys a much better cup of coffee. Dessert really lets the place down. There were 4 types of cake for dessert when we were there along with platters of melon, grapes and kiwi. The fruit was nice and fresh but the cakes were pretty basic. It was a shame there were no other dessert options eg chocolate mousse, even ice cream and/or jelly for the kids would have been great. Love the view but don't expect gourmet food.

Approximate cost: $30.00

I followed this restaurant from its sister cafe in surry Hills (long gone now) and have been a loyal customer for about 10 years. The restaurant has good quality thai style food for pretty cheap prices. The surroundings are lovely and you can takeaway and have a picnic at North sydney oval over the road or eat in. During summer, I always ask for a table on the balcony. They don't do home delivery and are packed for lunch end of the week and Saturdays when the local markets are ion, otherwise lunchtime is always easy to get a table. Dinner sometimes just needs a short wait but you can be more organise than me and actually book beforehand to avoid that. Never had any problems with the food. The staff are smiley and friendly though not very chatty.

Approximate cost: $10.00

This gym has a very friendly staff and good facilities. The staff are always naturally friendly including the hot young personal trainers who do the assessments. Never feel judged in here and there are a good range of bodies, fitness levels and ages that attend. I don't like classes but they have a wide range if you do and some have the required yelling by the instructor if that is your thing. The equipment variety isn't huge but there are enough machines that you never have to stand around waiting. Clean bathrooms and loads of lockers complete the experience. My only criticsm is the lack of options re membership. While it is reasonably priced and no contract, I can't use a gym Mon-Fri so just weekend access made it quite expensive.

Approximate cost: $40

This newsagency is staffed by very helpful people and they now open late on a Tuesday which always helps me for last minute OzLotto purchases. They open early (as all newsagents should !) and are fairly quick in processing customers who all seem to appear at the same time ! Good range of magazines and papers and the usual newsagent fare.

This is a good family run Italian cafe/restaurant. I have been here numerous times for brunch and the food is consistently good quality. Try the Little Pot of heaven for a great Italian version of an Aussie breakfast. The service is relaxed but for brunch that is perfect. The juices really are freshly squeezed. The owners also sell italian sweets and desserts made by their parents who used to have the italian sweets shop in Concord Shops. Main dishes are between $10 and $17 which is good value.

Approximate cost: $15.00

Slightly hidden away at the back of a hair salon at Waitara Railway station, Yuku is a professional beauty therapist who does good facials. I have also had Eye Lash Tints but find her a bit rough so I go elsewhere for those. Prices are very good which is reflective of the location and the fact this isn't a 'day Spa' though I am always offered a cup fo green tea at the end of the facial.

Approximate cost: $60.

A nice open store with reasonable parking outside. The staff tend to be very young but quite helpful. The store usually has samples available and often has seasonal competitions for bread packs etc. The store is always clean and also has a milk/drinks fridge for emergency supplies.

Approximate cost: $7.

Perfect location for a treat after a visit to Paddington markets. The usual fare is available here and it is quite busy on the weekend. The restaurant is well set out with some tables having great views of the Paddington locals wandering past. The store like most Max Brenners could do with a refit but it isn't too bad.

Approximate cost: $15.

This business is always busy and their saturday BBQ tastings outside doesn't help ! They have won award for sausages and have a mix of usual butcher fare and pre-pared items ie marinaded meats, butterflied chickens, etc. The staff are very experienced and are a mix of male and female. Their Christmas turkey and hams are lovely quality though quite pricey.

Approximate cost: $70.

Nicely refurbished small supermarket with enough items that youj can survive without a visit to one of the 2 major supermarkets. The store is well laid out and the staff usually helpful. There are 2 registers to keep the locals moving through though the sapce near the registers is still quite tight and it can become crowded especially after school times. Food is fresh and rarely are their boxes crowding the aisles.