Well, this pub is just another one of the many suburban pubs that you tend to come across once you…read moreleave the inner city. I guess being close to a shopping centre certain does help, but in another way, while it did look nice, the lack of beers that were on tap sort of disappointed me. Then again, I certainly didn't pay attention to what was behind the bar, but that's another story. Anyway, this place certainly wasn't too bad, and they do have a rather nice beer garden as well. However, the other thing that certainly does stand out is the service, that was actually pretty awesome in my opinion.

I ordered a seniors meal and then went to the bar at 6.53 to get a happy hour schooner at $7 before…read more7pm. By the time I was served it was 7.01 and the bar staff told me I was too late and the computer wouldn't let them process a happy hour discount after 7, I explained I'd been waiting in the queue but no luck. I went to a different staff member and explained and she reluctantly gave me my $2.20 but wasn't pleasant about it. Senior Chicken Parma arrived, the salad was warm with an inedible mushy tomato and limp lettuce, Parma was tasty enough but barely warm enough, it had obviously been sitting there while the chips were done. Very disappointed with some of the staff and the food.

The husband and I stayed here while visiting pre covid, and it was great! We got the room for a…read morereasonable amount of money. The location is really awesome, right in the middle of everything and close to a ton of tram lines. The front of the hotel is down one of the many lanes in Melbourne, so you won't see it necessarily (have your maps app ready). It doesn't look like much from the front desk, but the room was spacious, clean, and even had a view! I'd definitely stay here again.

We ordered the Gluten Free Penne bolognese and it came out too undercooked to properly enjoy. So,…read morethey took it back and made a fresh one (which was nice) but, it came out exactly the same standard as the original one!! This goes to show that the kitchen doesn't taste test prior to sending out. It's the luck of the draw. We also got the "Euro" Parma which I overall enjoyed. When you have salty fetta, olives and prosciutto, maybe include something that balances it out. I also asked for no cauliflower and copped 3 stalks. This place has so much potential. If they listened and improved on the finer details, the rating would be 4 or 5.

I've always wandered where those Australian bands that I loved back in the eighties landed up, and…read morenow I know - the Shoppingtown Hotel. Everytime I've been here I've seen a advertisement for one of those old 80's rock bands plastered on the boards out the front, and I've always looked at them with fond memories. Unfortunately I've never made the trek out here at night to actually see one of these bands, or visit the night-club (which is an over 28's nightclub, which means no underage teenagers with fake ids). Anyway I must say that I really love this place, even though I have never seen a band here (and I must rectify that, especially since they do have a motel adjacent to it, meaning that you can stay the night here and make your way home in the morning). However, what is great about this place is the view. On the balcony, and in the beer garden, there is a magnificent view of the city, which is one of the main reasons why I have made my way up here numerous times.

The toff in town also known as choo choos is only two flights of stairs in a rickety old building…read more They take reservations or just rock up like my friend and I did on a Friday around 6.30 pm. You enter a tiny looking bar with round tables covered in red and white checkec cloth, loud noise and booth style seating. Like me you may be shocked but there is additional seating around the bar and more seating booths. So what seems like a tiny bar is also a restaurant and a music venue. My friend and I were seated on a tiny round table and given large heavy menus that covered our tables almost entirely. The tables reminded my friend and me of a streetside cafe in Paris or Italy. Too small to contain any food. Maybe just for espresso. All dishes are to share and there are no large mains. Don't go for the upsell of the feed me option because all the food arrived at once within five minutes at room temperature and will not fit on your table and so you will be forced to eat quickly without enjoying your food. We got the following: 1. beef rendang with roti - half a roti with a ramekin containing two meat pieces in thick red curry sauce. Slight spice to it, tender meat and very delicious. My favourite dish of the ones I had 2. Duck pancakes - five tiny pancakes with a cold runny salad with scant pieces of duck. Spicier than the beef and tasty herbal flavours. Quite sticky. 3. Chicken hot pot - didn't know what to do with this. Its like a poh. So you get some vermicelli noodles covered in sprouts and a ramekin full of red liquid. Unlike us, don't drink the liquid first. Rather pour it onto the sprouts and noodles. Someone should have told us this as we had vermicelli leftover and it tastes awful on its own. 4. Rendang with rice - large potato pieces with barely any meat. overly sweet. Interesting menu. Fast service. But could do with staggered service.

- spacious - decent drinks…read more- good music second best in Curtin house - drinks were alright

What a lucky trip and stay at the Como hotel. After spending several days in Sydney I ventured to…read moreMelbourne in search of confirming why Melbourne repeatedly was honored with the title of best city to live in the world. I was traveling alone and had options to change my plans. Upon check in, I was cheerfully greeted by Maya. She was excited to tell me about the area, where to walk, what to see, which tours to take and circled on a map for me the "must do" list of everything from shopping to dining...to wining to more shopping and organized tours to walking tours...I was thrilled. The Como area reminds me of SOHO with boutiques mixed with artsy vibe...close to mass transportation and totally SAFE an easy for anyone who enjoys walking! ...Great restaurants from small cafes to upscale delightful french foodie ones, this area is perfect for any American who wants to get on the pulse of Melbourne. Maya suggested the Yarra wine tour...as a great start. It was fabulous...then the ocean drive tour...topped it off...after walking South Yarra to Fitzroy, to their botanical gardens and business district..this (Honolulu/nyc) City girl was pleased! The room was big and clean and Maya placed me away from the booming construction...which I never heard. Its convenient to EVERYTHING...the train and tram were easy to use...but hour walks were healthier! So stay at this Hotel...ask for Maya..and tell her the "Hawaii girl" sent you..wear comfy shoes and shop at the nearby boutiques!

The bar at the Como hotel is so dated, sat there an hour to do some work on the lap top the other…read moreafternoon and was not approached for a drink or service. Decor so 90's and really not an inviting place to have a drink. Kind of glad I was left alone as would have wasted money to drink in a bar with such dated ambience. A refit I think is needed here.

Stay in a Art Series Hotel. Check. Now to collect them all. Like Pokemon. Okay, maybe not Pokemon…read morethat would be child-like, but my first experience at an Art Series hotel was so pleasant and without fuss [insert many more adjectives here that sing this hotel's praises] that I'll be sure to complete the set with stays at the Cullen and Blackman post haste. From the ever helpful concierge to the ghost chairs in the room and more, there was not one thing I could fault about my stay here. Even being in a conference on their 9th floor felt more like a holiday (with wrap around city views) than a 'work-thing'. Best of all some of Melbourne's best eats and drinks are mere stone's throw from you. *cough* Two Birds, One Stone *cough*.

Two words - just gorgeous!…read more I love it when people carry my luggage for me, so this place was already racking up mad stars before I even got to my room. But when I did get to my room, it was everything you would expect from a artist inspired, super modern boutique hotel. A large supply of T2 tea was also greatly appreciated. A large chamomile tea aided the Perth to Melbourne time difference transition. It was a total pleasure staying here.

Stayed in the Fernwood cottage (one of the 2 cottages that has a hot tub) would highly recommend!…read moreThe owners are very nice, making sure you're comfortable and recommending things to do in the area if you're up for exploring. The hot tub was such a great extra!

The venue is pretty and can hold at least 400 to 450 guests…read more I went here for a work social ball. Staff are quite attentive. For example the waiter noticed that I wasn't enjoying my sparkling so got me another drink. Likewise, they were quite attentive to people's food restrictions. We even made last minute changes and the staff were quite helpful. My friend decided that she didn't want to eat duck for instance and they replaced it with a beautiful eggplant dish. We wanted our lamb well done and they did that for us too. The music was a live band with 60s music. Quite disappointing but we got some better music after. A free cloak room inside. Drinks were topped up. food was aplenty. A few people decided then and there that they wanted to have their wedding there. That says it all folks!