I don't know if my husband and I went on a bad night or what, but this place did not impress me at all. First of all, it's on a busy roundabout corner so we had to park a way away and then walk.

We weren't greeted when coming in and were not sure where to sign or how to get a meal. The place seemed to have lots of small rooms and walls - I think they open these up for functions and it was hard to find out way to the dining area.

There was supposed to be live music but there was none. The price of the meals were on the little expensive side and we waited a very long time for them to be brought out, even though there weren't too many people in the place.

Finally when mine came, - pasta with avocado and chicken, it was cold and then it took ages to get the attention of staff to get it sent back to the kitchen to be warmed up.

All in all, I was looking forward to a nice night with my partner and it just didn't happen.

Approximate cost: $20 - 30 main

These are the people you go to when all else fails, not because they aren't good vets, but because they are open ALL the time, and I mean all the time.

Which is exactly what you need when you have an animal emergency outside hours or in the holidays. Ours was Christmas time and they were open like angels of animal mercy. Our cat had been bitten and they gave her wonderful treatment.

They were also sympathetic and helpful to us as this was the middle of the night.

We were allowed to go back into the surgical care area to see how she was comfortable and they followed up on her progress with phone updates.

I recommend them but hopefully you won't need to use them in a panic like I did.

Not hard to get to and fairly central location. The small street is a bit tricky to find, and you have to talk into an intercom to get inside.

A large, clean, but rather impersonal waiting area. And the cost was a bit more than usual for the convenience.

Approximate cost: $Depends on procedure.

This vet is the closest to my house so it's the port of call for all animal emergencies. I cannot fault the dedicated approach to caring for animals that these vets have.

I had a cat attacked by two dogs who needed immediate care for shock and her injuries. We raced her up there and were shown in right away - no mucking around. She was put in a humidicrib and given medications etc within a few minutes.

We were kept informed at all times and they were also sympathetic to the children who were upset at the time.

They have a new large premises, so clean and fresh from their old premises before. They also provide other services like a cattery boarding place in their upstairs area.

Perhaps the only downside is, all these wonderful services cost a little extra.

But you couldn't get nicer or more animal-friendly people - there are photos of the vets and staff with their own animals around the walls. The office staff are nice too.

One slight warning. Don't take a stray cat here. They will take it off you as that's Hobsons Bay rules. The other vet I go to checked for a microchip for nothing.

But please feel sure your animals will be cared for royally at this vet and cattery - but mine didn't like the upstairs location.

There are also the range of foods and flea medicines to buy as well.

Trading Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday 10:00am - 1:00pm

They are "passionate about pets" which is what their motto says.

Approximate cost: $Not sure about normal consultation, but surgery and medical intervention in my case was $650. But t

I was looking for some birthday treats and surprises and this shop is just so edible - the whole shop - it should have a warning out the front. On a hot day it's air conditioned so the chocolate stays cool and fresh.

At Easter and Christmas and right now at the beginning of the season for Valentine's Day, they have a huge range of delectable chocolates and bagged lollies and special items.

You can even get your initials in chocolate.

There are cute little things near the counter like special chocolate ladybirds, frogs, lips. The kids get one to keep them quiet while I'm looking at the other things like selections of chocolate from countries all around the world.

A definite must for choc-a-holics. And also for diabetics and people who can't have sugar, there are specially modified chocolate and lollies.

Approximate cost: $Varies - some cheap items, and then luxury chocolates etc.

Originally called Williamstown Health Foods, this is a fresh and wholesome stop in a processed world. There are organic fruits and vegetables galore in an eye catching display.

They carry a range of natural and organic groceries and things for people allergic to certain foods. They also have skin care products, mum and baby products, vitamin supplements and health powder drinks, and they have a section of safe household cleaning goods.

I originally wanted some herbal teas to treat a certain ailment and they had these galore.

And I know they stock only the freshest and best because on rubbish day they put out the unsold fruit and veg at their back door which happens to be opposite a car park behind the shops. Even though these don't look so bad, they wouldn't think of selling them. I sometimes take some for my guinea pigs .. shhh don't tell.

A different shop and a place people will help you if you need to increase your wellness or manage an allergy. You can also get food sensitivity testing and naturopathic consultations at $75 per hour.

There's yummy things too - vegan confectionary and chocolate, chips and popcorn - all healthy and additive free.

And they even have a dog water bowl for your furry friend out the front.

Approximate cost: $Some items not cheap, but are unique and needed for your health.

It's no secret I love a bargain and I find poking around in discount shops to be addictive. This is a huge place in Williamstown on the site of a former Chemist.

They have just about everything you want ... and more.

There are the usual toys, tools, stationery, cards, pet supplies. Then there's a huge range of home-wares and cookery products of good quality. Also there is statuary, funny signs, an art department with canvasses and paints and a whole tiny room full of decorative boxes of all shapes, patterns and sizes.

They have a lot of party supplies and I've just discovered they do helium balloons as well.

Seasonal requirements are always bursting out the door when it's Christmas, Easter, Australia Day or Halloween. Things you might not find at other places.

The prices are very good for most items and I think they must buy in bulk as there's alway a lot of each thing, not just a few.

You can spend a long time in here and find some things you didn't even know you were looking for but just HAVE to have.
Like the cute named key rings which light up.

Friendly people who will answer your questions honestly. Not say "yet I'll have it next week" to keep you coming back. But say, "sorry, it's out of stock or not made any more".

A great place for some last minute birthday gifts which is why I went in there in the first place. Or to deck out your home with a lovely vase or some interesting cushions.

Take a look if you're down this way.

Approximate cost: $Lots of bargains

This is a deceivingly large bookshop. It has a small street frontage, with a door opening from a central vestibule where a couple of other shop doors are.

So it's a long shop and goes quite a way back. I came here to find a particular book for my son's birthday and the woman was extremely helpful. She looked up on her computer for the book which I couldn't remember the name of, and found the whole series and tried to track the one particular one I wanted down just by a description of its cover.

They have a large range of teenage/young adult fiction, favourite novels and classics, various sections of non-fiction etc and even the latest like the movie guide to The Hobbit which has just come out.

Prices are about the same as most bookshops but they go out of their way to help you and I found some bargain items in there. They also have cards and cute bookmarks etc as gifts.

A very pleasant place for a browse and will help you find what you're looking for.

Approximate cost: $15 appprox. for paperback novel

From the outside, this looks like your typical "$2 shop", with a range of baskets of merchandise, stacks of containers, T shirts hanging up and other colourful ways to pull you in. But once inside and you see it's a little different.

Yes, they have the cheap children's toys (which fall apart) but they also have a lovely range of ornaments and statues, cards and paper, toiletries and a good range of stationery items as well as a large tool section and an excellent kitchen and homewares section, all in one little shop.

There are three aisles - a little small, but so much to explore. I've been in much bigger variety shops, but this one has got everything you want and if they don't you can ask to get it in.

The owners of the business also can't be faulted for service. They change watch batteries for a fraction of the cost of a jeweller and I asked about a special small watch band which they didn't have. Next time I went in, which was more than 2 weeks later, the lady had got about six different colours in for me to try. And she fitted it to my watch for no extra cost.

A great shop for souvenirs too if you've got some overseas friends and my son loves the Pokemon cards.

Every time you pop in, you come out with something great. I got a lot of Christmas calendars and ornaments here for a very cheap price.

Worth a look.

Approximate cost: $Good bargains

Within the busy little shopping centre of Altona Gate, this shop is like an oasis. They have the most delicious ice cream and fat free soft serve, fresh juices of all types, special health drinks such as wheat grass etc. and a great range of milkshakes/thick shakes to suit any taste.

They are situated at the bottom of the escalators, right outside Safeway. There are some stools on which to sit, or you can go to the food court tables just a few feet away.

My personal favourite is the Spearmint milkshake - not many places carry this flavour. I get one without fail each time I'm here.

The people here are lovely - they ask you if there's anything else they can do and I've seen them let children have the ice-cream they chose even if they are a few cents short.

The service is wonderful, even when it's quite busy, someone takes your order and it seems to be there in a minute after you asked.

It's a fresh and relaxing break from shopping and a snack from here is a good energy boost.

Approximate cost: $4 for a delicious milkshake.

This business recently moved from Miller's Rd in Altona and their pizza is so good, I've followed them to their smaller premises in Yarraville. Their pizzas are some of the tastiest, juiciest and well stocked with toppings of the pizza world. They also have a whole range of traditional and gourmet pizza toppings - many you've never even thought of such as satay chicken. Very yum. There is a full menu - pastas, steak, chicken, seafood, soups and salads and a range of delicious desserts and of course, to finish some gelati and a cappuccino!

There are tables and chairs to eat in and it's quite nice - not fantastic, but at least you don't feel like you should be dressed up to go here. You can relax with friends and family.
They also have take-away service.

If you shop in the local area there are shop-a-dockets of specials like : 2 large pizzas, 1 Garlic bread, 1.25ltr drink for $21.90 and if you order one main meal you can get another at $5 as well.

A lovely Italian family run this business, friendly and warm and helpful. They also remember you when you come in again and what you like on your pizza e.g. lots of anchovies.

A nice place to visit after a busy day or the start of a fun evening. But you might not get through all your pizza - take it home and warm up next day. Just as good.

Highly recommended.

Approximate cost: $12 average for one - meal deals available.