Well worth a visit for the croque monsieur - a fancy kind of French ham and cheese toasty. The coffee is consistently good also. Can tend to be over-crowded, so go for morning tea rather than lunch.

Approximate cost: $10

No frills, but very comfortable pub bistro dining. Great staff and lovely basic food make it a pleasant dining experience. There's an indoor playground for the kids, who eat free Monday - Thursday with an adult meal purchase!

Approximate cost: $18

A great pub meal in the back streets of Fitzroy. Nothing fancy here, just good tucker and large serves for a bargain price. Try the roast, it's fresh and delicious. For extra ambience, seek out the obese cat..actually, he will probably be under your table hoping to catch a falling chip.

Approximate cost: $12

A fun day out if it's a nice day down in StKilda. A little pricey if you have a few kids, and the food is terrible. Luckily it's not far away from loads of great eateries on Ackland Street.

A great range of top quality products at this store...if they can ever get them in stock. Unfortunately we had a lousy experience with Baby Mode, from lost deposits, stock sent to the wrong store and a 'not my fault' attitude from staff.

Great pizza featuring creative and gourmet toppings. A busy little venue. Be sure to book as they have two dinner sittings which fill very quickly. If you miss out on a table, they do offer takeawy. Oh and they are BYO only, so don't forget to pack a bottle!

Approximate cost: $15

A great casual but funky place for lunch or drinks. Meals are simple, tasty and much better value than many places on this busy strip. Child-friendly and the rear courtyard is a nice escape from High St traffic.

Approximate cost: $10

A doll museum and tea house in one. Dolls at the Mount is unique, individual and yet somehow familiar.
These guys do scones and tea how it's meant to be done - with lace doilies, china cups and cooked-to-order fluffy scones melting in your mounth!
Dolls at the Mount is an experience to savour and a great excuse to linger dreamily over high tea.

Approximate cost: $8

I love it when a new invitation lands in the pigeon hole at school. It means another chance to visit Small Dreams! It's a gorgeous little shop stocking a great range of Steiner and wooden toys. They also sell there stock at a better price than most other toy shops offering simlar pieces.
Unfortunately, it's a small shop that tends to be crowded, so navigating a pram around is near impossible. On the plus side, they have a small gated toddler play area to keep the bubbas happy while you shop.

A mecca for pizza purists, Pizza Farro has brought REALLY good pizza to Thornbury since opening in November 2006.
Thin spelt bases serve as a delighful base for gourmet toppings such as Osso Bucco. Vegetarians are well catered for with a veggo list that had this meat eater shunning the carnivorous options in favour of vegie delights.
Hang around for a dessert pizza and be seduced with Nutella, mascapone and fresh raspberries on a flaky base straight out of the wood-fired oven!
The service too, was exceptional - attentive and friendly. This is nicer dining, but also the place where the waitress will rock your baby while you finish your appetiser.

Approximate cost: $15