There are a couple places in the CBD this good…read more There's even Assin in Fitzroy. This place is just as great, and since they have men's and women's it's like 2 birds with one stone. This place feels like the best private shopping experience ever, being hidden off Lygon Street, in an old tiny cathedral-type building. Their brands are ever changing depending on what is hottest, but they usually have: Carol Christian Poell Issey Miyake Theo Volga Volga Paul Harnden

The unassuming cafe situated inside this upmarket clothing store sells the absolute best chicken…read moresandwich in the whole of Melbourne. No contest. Chicken breast seasoned liberally with sea salt and cracked pepper, atop sourdough or multigrain, lashings of avocado, mayo, lemon and rocket. So even though you can't afford the cashmere jumpers or Moroccan tea glasses, go and buy the Husk Chicken Sandwich. Now.

It is nice to see variety in the block arcade and this cool spice store was a great addition; I am…read moresure you could find cheaper, but they offer many, many interesting options and if you are only 'sampling' prices will only be a few dollars... The staff are terrific and helpful, always appreciated; yet happy to let you browse undisturbed for the most part; a really interesting way to spend 15-20 minutes in the heart if the city.

On a recent trip to Melbourne, Gewurzhaus was my absolute highlight!…read moreI loved the selection of beautiful herb blends, gorgeous spice mixes, absolutely stunningly aromatic teas and the delight of so many salts!!! I went a little bit outrageous with the amount of purchases, but have not regretted a cent as they have all proven to be delicious and great quality. The service was brilliant, very attentive and answered all my queries - offered great suggestions for uses of the various smelly-yums and gave out scrumptious free tea. Now, I like to think of myself as a bit of a tea guru and I have to say that their Heavenly Lucky Tea is one of the best I have ever had!!!! Luckily they sell online, as I am almost out :)

If you approach Barkly Square Shopping Centre from Sydney Road going along Barkly Street, you'll…read morefind this oriental supermarket in the side walkway to Barkly Square. It isn't as well stocked as Asian supermarkets you might find in the city or in high Asian population suburbs like Glen Waverley, but I was so thankful when I found it because I was beginning to wonder where I would find oyster sauce and fish cakes in Brunswick (when I first moved in anyway...now there are a few shops like this one around). Aside from my aforementioned pantry essentials, these guys stock a nice selection of jasmine and green teas, and there's plenty to choose from by way of instant and pot noodles. In the refrigerated section, there are fresh noodles, tofu, egg custard buns, bean sprouts and lots of other good stuff. They even have some Japanese food items. I once spent a long time in the freezer section looking at the ingredients list on every single brand of frozen dim sum. It's not some strange fetish of mine; I was simply looking for some frozen dim sum (I think I was after har gow) that did not have MSG as an additive. Perhaps dim sum makers out there just don't make them without MSG, but Oriental Supermarket peeps...if you're reading this, perhaps you can look into this for me please?

In the middle of Chapel it's pretty hard to find a decent coffee. You've got Dukes / Market Lane a…read morelittle way down right near the markets, then Two Birds / Final Step off Toorak. Found is hidden away down an unsuspecting arcade and make great take-away coffee - there is some food available and they're quite quick so it's worth stopping in if you're hanging out for a coffee but can't be bothered with the extra walk.

Cute little hidden away gem offering lovely freshly baked cakes (baked on site) and muffins, etc…read more Delicious fresh rolls / baguettes and salads available as well as full breakky and lunch menu. Coffee is Red Star... not my fave but they do it well... they also have range of Chamellia teas, fresh juices of the day. Very popular spot for the folks of Society apartments across the road. Cute hanging flower arrangements... Nice little escape just off Chapel St. Look for the photo booth on Chapel Street, keep walking down behind there, it's at the back! (alternative entrance on Bray St) x

Mumbai Spice is your one stop shop for everything Indian. If you love to cook authentic, home…read morecooked Indian meals, as opposed to my indian in a jar from safeway cooking, this is the place to pick up all your herbs, spices and sauces. While your here you can also browse the latest bollywood blockbuster DVD selections, and pick up an international calling card for low rate overseas calls. I'll be honest, I dont know what half the stuff in here is, but they have some great regional delicacies too - ever tried Indian sweets? And the sauces in a jar here are a tad more authentic than my safeway chicken tonight specials, thats for sure.

So the first thing I saw in the window was an A4 print out with the words "Hyderabadi Dum Biryani"…read more The paper was a little faded and the colour pictures surrounding it had started to go, so I did what any child of the internet generation would do. I Googled it. "Hyderabadi dum biryani is a signature dish from hyderabad, the city of pearls and is said to be a blend of mughal and persian cuisine. Basmati rice cooked with layers of marinated chicken or meat in a wide, heavy bottomed vessel on a low flame, is where it gets the taste from. This process of cooking is also known as "Dum . " Yes. This is what you will find inside. Indian cuisine at its best, both with and without meat - though the signature dish doesn't do itself justice without it. We got take away as the busy children of the internet generation we are, but dining-in facilities look inviting, though rarely crowded that you don't get to sit where ever you want. The place really heats up in summer, both from the spices in the curries and the kitchen cooking on. The buffet stylings of the food may have you believing this will come at a cost of the quality of food, but rest assured this is not the case. From what I got out of 4.90 amazingness of a Special Lunch Box. The Food Is Good.

My boyfriend found this place when he was at the laundromat next door one night. Noticing the low…read morelow prices, he took me out to dinner here the next night. Yay! We were first surprised the place was empty. We were the only people there. I suppose that's because Saleem is right around the corner and theyve got all them bright lights drawing people in. I've not been to Saleem, nor do I feel the need to go after eating at Desi's. First let's talk customer service. I am lactose intolerant and I was surprised to find that many Indian restaurants in Australia use dairy cream. We asked the waiter for dairy free suggestions and he knew right away which ones to offer. When he brought out our food he realized one of the naans we ordered was made with milk. He instantly offered to replace it with a dairy free one but I insisted it was no big deal. Though, I was very impressed he offered. Having worked in a few restaurants let me tell you, that is always the right thing to do. Be nice to your customers. The food was amazing. We even ordered some delivery a week later. Yes, they deliver. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I haven't noticed many restaurants (pizza aside) that deliver. Anyway, the lamb madras is my new go to dish, and I'm not usually a go to dish person, but it's that good. Poppy and mustard green flavors, oh wow! The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that towards the end of our meal our waiter disappeared into the kitchen for extended moments. We were ready to get some take away boxes and pay but we had to sit and wait a while til he came out to the dining room. I will most likely order a lit more delivery lamb madras from here.

Always have liked northlands especially going to timezone jb hifi and eating in the food court with…read moremy son we always have a good time

Northland Shopping Centre is the northern suburbs answer to Eastland, Southland (see the theme…read morethere) and Highpoint (which really should be called Westland don't you think?) It's really just a huge shopping mall. Love them or hate them, at these large malls you will find many of the brands you love, lots of entertainment and food shopping in one place. Spend hours here, or minutes. Either way you will spend. Northland's most recent reinvention see's a new food precinct, extended fashion mall and reinvented food court as well as the revamp of over 300 retail stores. The main chains have stayed on. Coles, Safeway, Myer, Kmart, Lincraft and Hoyts mix with new comers JB Hifi and Target. The mix of fashion, electronics, food, home wares and gift ware is well balanced and the layout while confusing like most large shopping centres, is one level only which limits the chances of your getting lost. Shopping malls will always attract a range of people from the community so I think Northlands reputation is largely undeserved. If you don't like shopping malls you won't like Northland. But if you are looking for a large shopping centre in the northern suburbs then your choices are here and Doncaster, depending on the stores you need.