I was a little disappointed with the Yarraville Club meals. We had been told this was a wonderful place, better than other RSL clubs etc in the area. But there was just something lacking.

There were not a lot of people in the place eating and I wondered why. But as the night went on, I had it figured out. We weren't welcomed and had to wander around to find where to go. The ordered meals were slow in coming and even though the portions were decent size, they weren't that great. Meat was overdone and salad limp.

The atmosphere here is non-existent - it's a big room with lots of tables, food service area on one side that's fairly open to view - totally unexciting. Waitress was pleasant enough.

The worst thing was there was some sort of "Elvis revival" going on in the function room and loud music was blaring through into the dining area. We considered going in to have a listen and maybe even an "oldies" dance, but were told we had to pay extra for that and didn't seem welcome at all.

Maybe it's better on other nights, but not sure I want to take that chance again.

Approximate cost: $20 - 25 approx, depends what you get. Drinks extra.

This is the supermarket of computer shops, and like one you have to stand in a queue. On entering take a ticket straight away, then you'll be called to the desk when your number comes up, a little like the deli.

That's fine when there's two or three staff at the desk, but if there's only one, the wait might be quite long. You can browse in the glass cases of laptops and cooling systems while you are waiting.

Sometimes it's easy - you go in and they have what you want in stock - the prices are pretty good but I've since found a cheaper alternative, however there are some things they have which are cheaper than the rest.

But often they don't have the item in stock, even if they told you they did on the phone. Then it's been a frustrating trip for nothing, as I had the other day when wanting high end camera cards.

Plus most people who come in here - let's face it, it's a nerd shop - know what they want - but then you get the rest who ask questions. If you get stuck behind someone who wants a computer but doesn't know what they want exactly, it can be maddening.

So overall, use them for what is cheap, be prepared to wait and sometimes be told what you want is at their warehouse, and take advantage of their specials, but also have another computer shop to compare them to for your other items.

If you miss the turn off to their car park, go round the roundabout and back, don't go over the overpass into Sunshine shopping centre or I guarantee you won't get back in a hurry.

Staff do know what they are talking about, which is a plus. The look of the store is basic - plain carpet and plain plaster walls, glass cases with some stock. Just on the side of grungy ... almost. Think it was a former theatre and could do with an upgrade.

One thing I like is they print you out a full A4 page receipt/invoice thing. Harder to lose than the little stuff. Take note of warranty time and make sure you take it back within this time. We've had a couple of hard drives die and be taken back. They send them off and you get another one or they repair that one.

Good but not great overall.

Approximate cost: $Some cheap components, depends what you want.

I've dealt with this school book shop for quite a few years, to fill various book lists and found them satisfactory but not stunning. It seems to be a bit hit and miss. Sometimes there is a crowd out the door, fighting for a copy of a novel, sometimes there's actually a staff member who will assist you. These seem to be a little scarce at times.

They have the text books and novels required by most Melbourne Schools and a range of technical books and workbooks as well as stationery. There are new and used to choose from, but often the used are not that much cheaper.

Worst thing is when you come to re-sell your book back to them, you get a very poor return. They then sell this back to someone else for a lot.

We queued to buy the books in one of two lines and then found we were in the "wrong" one.

So, do your homework about what you want. Be prepared to help yourself, and look around in the second hand stuff, you could get a bargain.

Tricky to know when to go - if you go too early the books are not all in stock, if you go too late in the holidays they are all sold.

I can't fault them on ringing me when my ordered books came in. We had taken some home but one was out of stock. When it came to picking up though, they either couldn't find it or wouldn't believe I'd already paid for it.

A comprehensive book shop but they could brush up on their customer service.

Don't park in the main street, too many traps and you'll get a ticket. Park in the small side street.

Approximate cost: $Wide range of new and used prices.

They have an advertising claim outside on their hoarding which states "biggest and tastiest" and wow, that's certainly true.

Instead of the fish option we went for two big, juicy burgers in a combo with chips and a drink for $9. This is excellent value as they live up to their name. Perfectly cooked and very big and full of flavour, comes with fresh salad.

The lady in here is very nice and remembers if you want no sauce. They are a very filling - you won't want a snack an hour later. One of the best "to go" meals there is.

Now, it's in a busy road but there is kerb side parking. Watch out for the Clearway signs. Or park down a side street.

Back next time to try the fish and chips.

Approximate cost: $9 burger, chips, drink combo.

This shop is one of the "Williamstown institutions". After a nice dinner at a restaurant, a picnic on the reserve by the water, or even dinner at home, a walk to "the ice-cream shop" for a dessert treat is a Williamstown tradition. They've been here for 29 years.

They have a lot of different flavours, I'm not sure how many but a whole lot. There are normal ice-cream types such as rum and raisin, boysenberry ripple, lime, coffee etc and there are also many gelati types - pistachio, lemon, raspberry.

Some might call liquorice or peanut butter a bit odd, but they are delicious. There are normal cones, waffle cones or cups. Around $3.50 per scoop. If you've got a lot of people it can be a little pricey. I think you can also buy 1ltr tubs as well.

There are tables and chairs inside the shop and a few outside, or go for a stroll along Gem Pier which is opposite the shop and Commonwealth reserve with a playground for the young (and the young at heart) - interesting maritime artifacts like large anchors grace the front of the pathway leading in.

A pleasant way to end the day.

Approximate cost: $3.50 approx. per single scoop

This is a new business in this location. There's always been a pet shop in Williamstown, but they were in the next block up. It's good to have one back again in this close location. I usually go and buy my supplies in bulk, but while I was ill and couldn't drive this was the perfect place to pick up my pets' needs.

It's a small shop and jam packed with so many new and exciting things I hadn't seen before. But well arranged and inviting, doesn't look crowded at all.

I was able to get a vacuum packed bag of hay here for $12 which looked quite small - say pillow sized, but when opened it was so squashed in there the volume of hay was rather surprising and kept our piggies happy for a couple of weeks.

There are all the usual toys and special diet foods you'll need for your pet.

The lady in there is very nice and remembered me the next time. It's about half way down Ferguson Street, near the tattslotto agency.

So if you run out of something or you want some advice and can't go further afield, give them a try.

Approximate cost: $Depends on item. Prices about the same as other stores.

We found Mick after being let down by a few other plumbers who either inflated the job, or said they would come when they did not.

Mick is a friendly, no-nonsense guy. He's a gentleman in what can sometimes be a prima-donna industry. He comes on time when he says he will, he will answer your questions over the phone without coming on a "call" and charging you. He does all the small fiddly jobs which other plumbers won't touch or will charge you and arm and a leg for.

He has done various jobs around our house - replacing spouting, installing new fittings and fixtures to a toilet which was constantly running. Others wanted to replace the whole thing - Mick came in and diagnosed the problem, even told us the parts to get from the plumbing supply shop if we wanted it to fix it ourselves.

At the moment he's in the process of advising us about installing a new stove and rangehood. He came to check that the stove has the right connections (it's English) and to see how the rangehood/bench height thing works out. He also told us about the new regulations at to fireproof splashbacks (no tiles). This was not a paid call.

He'll be back to do actual work, and then his charge is always very reasonable.

Only drawback with Mick is that he's not a young man and I wouldn't ask him to do any roof work.

He also doesn't mind inquisitive kids following him around and asking questions.

Very highly personally recommended.

Approximate cost: $Very reasonable cost. Great work for a good price.

We are spoiled for Chemists around my area and although this is a large place and is new and fresh, it doesn't measure up to the older businesses in my opinion.

They have the usual range of over the counter medicines for colds, injuries, allergies, etc. They also carry a lot of toiletries and cosmetics and hair care products - over half the shop is dedicated to this.

And at the back is the dispensary for prescriptions. I had a problem with this area. They were very slow at filling my prescription and when it was time to pick it up, the amount of money was very large. I questioned this and the sales girl who didn't seem to know anything about the medicine itself told me to go back and see the pharmacist.

After doing this I was told there was no cheaper equivalent and that they were very unusual medicines. I was never told at the start any of this when the prescription was first looked at, as I have been at other places. Basically I thought $100 was far too much for an antibiotic I've had at other places for half the cost. I refused to pay and left without my medication.

So partly the fault of the doctor I suppose, but I didn't feel that this place cared enough about me or my illness to actually ask any questions.

There are other alternatives to this place and if you want hair and beauty I suppose it's fine.

Approximate cost: $Prescriptions seem overpriced.

I experienced reasonable care here for my pet, but not exceptional. Unfortunately, that's what he needed. My cat had been in a road accident and my local vet had recommended Werribee Uni Hospital as the place to go.

Firstly, it is a bit of a travel to get here and I was dodging work hours to do so. The prices were higher than most and I didn't feel they welcomed my calls when I rang to find out how he was going.

They didn't carry out the procedures which my vet assumed they would and I was not overall very impressed.

Now, my case might have been one of the more difficult ones, so I'm giving them a middling rating. Others with animals just needing check ups etc probably would be fine. I just felt a big job seemed too much for them.

Given a choice, there's other places I'd go first.

Approximate cost: $Fees bit higher than some?

Among all the other take-away hot food shops there is this little place for your dessert. They have a great range of breads and rolls, both traditional and european type breads.

They also have yummy pizza type rolls and these are delicious warmed up. The cheese and bacon and cheese rolls are huge and much bigger than I've seen elsewhere.

Then there's all the sweet stuff - mouth watering scones like blueberry and white chocolate, sticky date, pumpkin etc and lots of lovely buns and coffee scrolls etc.

I usually always spend more than I intended in here and after a few items it adds up a little.

Usually friendly staff and sometimes will offer you a two for one special at the end of the day.

Approximate cost: $3.50 for a nice bun, 70c each rolls etc.