Whenever I got relatives or friends who come and visit me in Melbourne, I will definitely bring them to Miss Marple. The scones are to perfection and the environment and decor is authentic. I hope they could maintain that for long period of time as I really enjoy the authentic environment. The service has been consistently good and perfect after so many visit (> than 7 visits at least). The scones taste perfect every time !!! Please keep up the good work.

Approximate cost: $15

My first visit to Max's restaurant has been very satisfactory. I have only tried their entree and finger foods so the quality rated above is purely on their entree menu. I hope I could try their main course one day. The one that I tried is fried calamari and its the best in town and superbly fresh. The house manager is very friendly and nice. However, when I pay them a second visit few months ago, I was served by a quite unfriendly staff (she looks like the cook) and treat me quite badly. She even sounds racism at some point. Even so, the food still taste good. Even with nice scenery, my mood was still being affected by her service ... It will be perfect if she treat us nicely, then it will definitely worth 4 star quality !!

Approximate cost: $>50 pp (excl. sake)

The best Latte in the region. I could sometimes drive all the way from Mount Waverley to Oakleigh Central just to buy a cup of strong latte from Nikos. My colleagues suggested me to pay them a visit, as his wedding cake was ordered from them. I tried their cake and its not that sweet and close to perfection. But I still prefer their coffee over their cake. There are other authentic greek specialty cakes and desert within the store. Its really worth a try if you drop by Oakleigh !!!

Approximate cost: $15

I brought my car to service at Toyota dealer months ago. They informed me that my front braking pad is wearing thin (2mm) and require replacement. They quoted me $350 for a pair of front braking pad. I later called few other stores and found that Kmart Tyre at Chadstone actually provide cheaper quote (approx. $149 for a pair of braking pad). They confirmed that the car could be serviced in less than an hour. So I brought my car their on Saturday morning, but only to know one hour later that they need to order the braking pad in the next Monday morning. They shouldn't ask me to bring my car in if they couldn't confirm that they can finish in a day. Very typical auto service provider.

They later informed me that the braking disc is wearing thin and need replacement. It will cost >$450 to change the braking disc. They explained it in a professional manner and in view of safety reason and the urgency of getting my car back (I'm driving to Canberra on Tuesday for a business trip). It is my first time changing braking pad and has never changed braking disc before as my new car is only less than 3 years old. I later decided to let them change it. However, my colleagues later told me that I have been cheated as braking disc shouldn't wear that fast, more so for a car that has less than 3 years and less than 25000 km. I just felt like being ripped off by Kmart Auto that day.

Approximate cost: $>200

I had been to many Kimchi Grandma Franchise restaurants in Melbourne, to name a few like Kimchi Grandma Carnegie, Kimchi Grandma Melbourne, Kimchi Grandma Box Hill. What I found that the quality of food at Kimchi Grandma Box Hill has been dropping in recent years. I have been visiting their Box Hill branch very often last time, but it's getting lesser and lesser in today's term. The reason is mainly because the diminishing quality of their food. PLEASE BE AWARE that even though they all bear the name of Kimchi Grandma, the quality of food can varies substantially among stores. For instance, the spicy soup (soon doon boo) at Box Hill, has far lesser ingredients (less prawn, less calamari etc) when it compare to other Kimchi Grandma store. Their entree dishes served at Box Hill branch is getting lousier as well. The one at Carnegie is still the best !!!

Approximate cost: $15

There has been increasing no. of Korean restaurant being opened across Melbourne in recent years. Personally, I love Korean food and their Kimchi (preserved spicy cabbage). When I first tried out Korean restaurants in Melbourne, Kimchi Grandma at Carnegie has remained one of the best. It has set a standard for other to follow. Korean restaurant always provide small entree, free of charge (free for refill :D). It include kimchi and other preserved vegetables and marinated honey potatoes etc and it always come with six varieties. Some other Korean restaurant has decreased it to four variety which is quite disappointing. But after so many years, Kimchi Grandma at Carnegie still maintained that standard. Their main course is excellent and its never short of ingredients. Their spicy kimchi soup (soon doo boo), beef ribs hot plate (galbi), beef hot plate (beef bulgogi) and spicy pork hot plate have remained as my favorite for many years. Its best dined with their hot korean sake as well. Its like in heaven !!!

Approximate cost: $15

I brought my wife to Nobu during our 5 years wedding anniversary at Southbank few months ago. First of all, I tasted the hot sake ($28 per serve) and its the best sake I've ever tasted in Melbourne. It is as smooth as silk and after second serve, I can really feel its strength !! The food is amazing. We first tried their famous grilled Cod fish ($30 +). Its a small serve but I can assure you, you will never forget the amazing taste of it. One of the best ever tasted !! We later had a plate of sushi and two other main course. The food and environment is just too perfect but it come with a cost. It cost us > $200 ++ for the dinner, but its all worth it.

Approximate cost: $>50 pp (excl. sake)

I had a lunch with my wife at O-Bento, Church Lane, Collins Plase, off 500 Collins Street. Myself and my wife both had japanese ramen and we just loved it. In recent years, there has been increasing no. of japanese cafe/restaurant appearing in the CBD but some could be operated by non-japanese owner and the food could be quite lousy. But after I tried O-Bento, I would say the ramen is one of the best that I have ever tried in Melbourne CBD. You really have to reach there before 12noon during office lunch hours or else, you end up waiting some time before a vacant table is available. Bon apetite !!

Approximate cost: $10

First of all, I have been hearing a lot from friends and from the TV advertisement that ANZ bank customer service is good and worth trying it out. So, one day I decided to apply for my second credit card with ANZ bank. My first credit card is with NAB, and still holding that. So, I went into the ANZ branch as Bourke St Mall with my wife, bringing along all my necessary bill etc for verification. I was served by an Asian customer officer. Her communication skills didn't impress me. Her patience is limited. When she come to verify our details, she said our names appeared differently in our bills. I explained to her that it is not our fault as many Australian business prefer (almost always) to hide our middle name away. I can understand that she is performing her duty but the way she treat us is far from satisfactory. She just said that "I'm doing my job or you can talk to my supervisor. There is nothing else I can do!!" She speaks in a very impatient manner. I have been in customer service line before and I know that I can explain it in a much more softer manner. At then end, she forced us to bring all the documents back for verification. As a first time customer, I am just shock to see this kind of bad service, and wonder why ANZ willing to pay millions of dollar for a TV commercial yet didn't focus on the simple direct customer service at their branch. Since then, I have been banking with NAB and don't want to involve with ANZ any further. I will summarise my second encounter with ANZ phone banking customer officer in the next entry.

The quality of the food is dropping. Today, I went in and try the 油条 (fried flour stick) and out of my surprise, it has been RE-FRIED. I'm so shock as the food is meant to be in its freshiest state especially on peak Sat morning. I tried your soup noodle many months ago at night and I can only taste soy sauce in the soup, nothing else. Owner, please improve, I hate to see your shop close one day. Thank you.

Approximate cost: $10