People of Carlton, you are lucky. You have a top-notch greengrocer right on your doorstep. First Choice, near the corner of Lygon and Elgin, is well named. They're a small shop and don't have a vast range of fruit and veg varieties, but what they do have is first-class, without exception. I've occasionally seen its equal elsewhere, but I've never seen better. The service is also first-class; it's a family-run business with the friendliest and most helpful people you'll find anywhere.

What's that? You get your fruit and veg from the supermarket in Lygon Plaza across the road? Shame on you. Yes, I know it's probably cheaper. But price isn't everything. People lament that the Big Two supermarkets are taking over everything and squeezing out the small shops. Well, they're doing that precisely because people won't put their money where their mouth is and support the small shops. First Choice is a shop worth supporting. Fortunately, a lot of people in Carlton do seem to agree, because the shop is often crowded, especially on Saturdays.

I don't know how long they've been trading on Lygon St, but it's at least 20 years, and they have a very loyal following. I used to work only a block away from First Choice, and I was a regular. Rather than doing a big weekly shop for my fruit and veg, I'd nick over there in my tea break at least three or four times a week, to buy whatever veg I needed for that night's dinner. I did that for at least 15 years.

About five years ago I changed workplaces, and it's not so easy to get to First Choice now outside of mad-rush Saturdays, so I do most of my fruit and veg shopping closer to home, at La Manna in Brunswick (see my separate review). But whenever I'm in Carlton I make a point of calling in to First Choice. The place is still full of top-quality produce, and it has the same friendly and smiling staff.

I only wish I still worked nearby so I could make this my local greengrocer again. Highly recommended.