This is the best cinema in Victoria. For one reason: the quality of the movies. Ok, two reasons: also the location!
Nova always features the latest international films and is guaranteed to be right on the cutting edge of art-house screenings.
The cinema itself mightn't be your usual 'Hollywood' glitz and glamour - there's no polystyrene displays or flashing lightbulbs to be seen. It's just your normal, run of the mill theatre - but it is licensed, so you can have some bubbly with your movie too.

After you've watched a fabulous french film, the likes of Amelie or Micmacs, then treat yourself by going downstairs and dining in any number of the awesome restaurants below.

Approximate cost: $15

We always go to Petstock to get our animal things. The rewards system for customers is a big plus and allows you to build credit points with every item you buy. It's easy to redeem points, which allows you to get a monetary discount on particular items.

It's great value for things like dog bones and chews, but also leads, collars and bedding.

Not a bad place to go if you don't want the hassle or cost of a shopping centre type pet store.

I've always found the service really exceptional. Everyone I've talked to there can give you great advice on any pet issues you have, and they're all pet owners themselves and can usually share some experiences.

Anytime I've wanted something that's not in stock, they've been really reliable and got it in for me very promptly.

Great for service!

An old favourite, I've been a customer at Natskin for 14 years now, since it began in Ringwood. And I've been loyal ever since.

Natskin at Balgownie, takes the day spa experience to a whole new level. I usually go a couple of times a year, and its always worth it.

The vichy shower is simply amazing and you come away feeling like every pore on your body has been nourished.

The geisha baths are a real treat as is the body mud that you get to pack on afterwards. Turn the shower on full and you'll know the true power of water!!!

For a pick me up, I usually get a massage and a facial. Every time I go, I feel as though I've been spoilt up to the gills. Pampered, preened and looked after. The beauticians make you feel divine.

The ambience at Natskin makes you feel like you are on some remote island paradise, hidden away from the pressures of work. You can go and just forget about everything.

The slippers and big navy robes are so comfy, however, not the same can be said for the little disposable g-strings, but that's ok.

I always like to get a big juice and have a squiz through a glossy mag before I go in for my treatment, so make sure you change quickly and go into the waiting room.

After your treatment, make sure you go and get the fish from the restaurant. Combine it with a glass of bubbles, and you'll pretty much be on a cloud for the rest of the day.

It's my favourite indulgence.

Approximate cost: $100+

Just came back from a fabulous dinner at the Reel. Wasn't busy but it is Monday night.
Aside from the fact I had really great company, I have had a really great experience. When I first walked in I was greeted by the waiter and seated. I was impressed with the big gas heater and the unbelievably delicious assortment of cakes.
I had some time to wait for my friend to turn up, so I had a good read of the menu. It was really hard to decide. There were so many great options. Do I go the free-range beef or the chicken crumbed in Moroccan spices? In the end I stuck with the simple pumpkin salad. And even though it was just a salad, it turned out to be really filling and scrumptious.

We only waited maybe 10 minutes for our meals and our drinks came immediately.

Whilst the prices are a bit steep considering the location and so on ($30 average sized meal), I felt the quality and service made up for it. I was really, really tempted to get dessert, but I'd been healthy with my salad...but now, geez, those rocky road chocolate cakes really did look that good.

Maybe I'll go back this weekend!

This one has my tick of approval. It's a little gem tucked humbly beside the Cameo theatre. But don't let outside appearances fool you. I was pretty satisfied.

Approximate cost: $30

Well I don't say this very often, but this experience was absolutely abhorrent.

On my husband's birthday we decided to celebrate with a trip to the Dandenongs. We got to Olinda and saw the Pie in the Sky sign and thought 'beauty, a quick easy meal for our trip'. So in we go...and that's when the fun started.

The place was completely crowded. People were displaced all over the place. Screaming kids, red faced mothers, staff with frowns and flustered expressions. Once we got to the counter, we were so flummoxed that we made the quickest of orders, said take-away so we could get out of the shop, and made a run for the doors. Once outside, and able to breathe again, we jumped on an empty table and started eating our pies.

Having been sitting there for five minutes, we were just about done when a waitress came out and shouted at us to get off the table because it was for 'Dining In' customers. I replied that we didn't know that. She then abruptly pointed at a sign behind us that explained her point and said 'can't you read the sign?'. We were both so surprised that we didn't know what to do. Yes, we were clearly in the wrong but neither of us expected such rudeness. The waitress then turned on her heels and walked away.

We both immediately began to collect our things as she came storming out again. This time, snatching at an empty bottle on the table and telling us to 'leave now' so she could seat some other customers who were waiting for us to move.

This time I replied. "You really don't have to be so rude about this. We just didn't see the sign". She told us that it was written everywhere and that she had people who wanted us to go so they could sit down.

Considering it was my husband's birthday and I didn't want it to be any more confronting than it was, we both quickly got a move on, and promised ourselves to never, ever return to such a rude, badly organised establishment ever again.

The whole experience was so ordinary. But what I fail to understand is that, irrespective, we were still paying customers and had every right to sit down at an empty table (which was still empty 10 minutes after we'd left and was driving past). We made the initial mistake because we were feeling so pushed and prodded in the line that we just couldn't wait to get outside. We said take-away simply to get our pies in bags. When we were in line there was nothing that stated we couldn't sit down. Maybe it was obscured by the amount of people in there, but this isn't a reason for the staff to be so rude.

While I accept it was our mistake, I cannot explain why this staff member felt it so necessary to be so unbelievably rude. I have never been spoken to in such an abrupt and confronting way by an employee of a place I have just purchased something from.

I would never recommend this place and it's been a long time since we went there, but I still feel so angry from this experience that I felt compelled to write this review.

If you go there, good luck and make sure you read the signs! You never know, they might limit the amount of toilet paper you're allowed to use, based on the price of their pies.

Having had my wedding here, several years ago, I always return to the Portsea Hotel with fond memories.

For our wedding, they were unbelievably well-priced; especially considering the location! The hotel wedding coordinator was always reliable and available. She made the process smooth and easy for us. The wedding went by fabulously and the service, meals and decoration were spectacular. A top notch effort by everyone.

However, the last time we went in to have a meal, the experience was a little disappointing. Having ordered a burger, my meal came with a stale bread roll and a dirty plate. Our table was sticky and our cutlery had been used, so we went to get some more by the counter. When we did so, the waitress remarked 'have you got enough cutlery now?'. I explained that the ones on our table were used, so she removed them very abruptly and appeared to scoff at my suggestion.

Oh well!

We will go back again, and put this simply down to a one-off bad experience, as every other time the place has been fabulous! Just make sure you can stand being surrounded by all that money and people who know they have it, and LOVE to show it.

Best meal: seafood linguini!

Approximate cost: $25+

We love Warran Glen. We even loved it before the refurbishment. Not only is the nursery really well organised and the staff are always helpful, but the cafe is fabulous too.

Light and tasty meals are offered in a newly renovated cafe at the top of the hill. It's the perfect place to have a piece of cake and coffee with friends, or a light lunch with family for a special occasion, or just because you want to. Just make sure you're not in a rush, because they do take their time.

The surrounding gardens and lake are a lovely complement to the experience. Look out for the big white duck and I have seen a tortoise swimming around once or twice.

The plants aren't necessarily the cheapest going around but we've had a 95% success rate with everything we've bought-the only failure was a Boganvillia that our dog chewed up.

Really, I can sum this up in two words: 'Mouse' + 'Sighting'. Yes, there he was running around on the floor behind the counter.

We did let the Nandos staff aware of this but needless to say, we quickly left our meals half uneaten (after a 30-40 minute wait and COLD chips) and made a run for it. The manager didn't seem that interested and the place was pretty dirty. After all, we had plenty of time to take in the view, considering how long we waited for cold chips. I also got my meal 10 minutes before my husband, which meant I waited to finish it until he'd started. Being a fast food outlet, it's ironic that the service is so s-l-o-w. So my cold chips almost became frozen and that's when we saw our furry fast food friend. So we ended up leaving hungry and feeling slightly ill.

Sorry Nandos, you've lost this unhappy chicky!

Approximate cost: $7.90+

While you end up waiting ages for your meal, as the kitchen is pretty tiny and the staff aren't the fastest, what you end up with is always yummy! The chicken sandwich with green mayo is a taste sensation worth waiting for. The wine is great and of good quality and the atmosphere is usually friendly and warm. If anything else, it's worth it for the drive and the view.
Plus, it's dog friendly!
If you do drop by, make sure you get a homemade yoyo biscuit for the trip home. They crumble and then melt in your mouth. Buttery, with a hint of lemon--these are the yoyos made in heaven.

Having been a client at Sandton Hair Gallery for several years, I cannot go past it. From blow drys, up-do's, cuts and colours; every experience has been top service for a reasonable price. You would expect the same at Tony & Guy, but for hundreds more.

Joanne and Janine are absolutely fabulous and will do anything to make your experience valuable. I've recommended them to family members who now refuse to get their hair done anywhere else.

Also, I'm one of those really annoying client's who say 'do what you like' when the hairdresser asks what you'd like today. The great thing is that I can always say that and trust that Janine will create something current, fashionable, and always perfectly suited to me.

You can't go past the quick head massages while in the air-vibrating chairs or the ceramic heat scissors which do away with split ends!

While it take me 45minutes to get there, it's the only place I'll ever have my hair done. Consistent, affordable and professional. Sandton Hair Gallery is the whole package if you want a great experience when you go to a hair salon.

Approximate cost: $50+ for a female style cut