I can't speak highly enough of Gemini Enoggera. I took my car there for repairs after making a claim through NRMA, thinking the repairs would cost around $2,000. When I went to drop off the car, I asked what the final cost would be and I was told $710 so I cancelled my claim as the excess was $600. I was pleasantly surprised when I turned up to collect the car, to find that it was only $650!

Aside from the pricing pleasantries, I was very impressed with the level of customer service which was 100% professional and friendly any time I had contact with the company.

The repairs have been done beautifully and my car was even cleaned for me ... another unexpected surprise!

I spoke a couple of times with Ken at Gemini and he is a credit to the business. He is obliging, friendly and genuine.

I'm going to recommend Gemini Enoggera for any body repairs needed by friends and family and I urge others to give them a lookup if the need arises.

Milk Cafe is a fun place to go for the music and decor. The food is varied; you can get chips, salads, cupcakes, brownies, ice cream floats and lots more.

I enjoyed my Strawberry and Mint Frappe and the thick cut chips I shared with my sister were amazing. Very thick, lightly battered and served in a large paper cone.

The music is really cool ... think Elvis Costello, croony and relaxing.

The decor is bright yellow and white and the cafe seemed clean and well maintained.

I do find the prices to be expensive but hey, you go there for a treat so just enjoy!

They take great pride in their local suppliers and have them written up on a chalkboard in the cafe. I like that.

The service was friendly and there are plenty of menu options to choose from.

Park downstairs in the Woolworths carpark.

Bought my birthday cake yesterday at French Patisserie Toowong. I ordered it a week ago and it was ready when I arrived. When I placed my order, the cake decorator himself answered the phone and he was very obliging. He was keen to make sure the cake was exactly what I wanted.

I was not disappointed! The cake was delicious ... fresh, tasty and beautifully decorated. I'd highly recommend French Patisserie for authentic, quality cakes.

Parking is easy outside and the store also offers a large range of French goodies like croissants, macarons, eclairs and more.

Approximate cost: $42

The Codfather has been around for many years and rightly so. It's a typical old fashioned fish and chip shop where you can park outside and run in to get your takeaway.

The menu board is as retro as the decor but guaranteed, you'll get the same old style fish and chips, burgers, battered savs, pineapple fritters and Chiko Rolls you enjoyed in your childhood.

The premises are clean, the owners and staff are friendly and there are no frills. You can ring your order through if you want and pick it up when it's ready.

They also do a $49.00 Family Seafood Platter, various other packs and will cook your fish battered, crumbed or grilled, at no extra charge for either option.

Oh and they do gravy to smother your chips in!

I have a Breville appliance that needs to be repaired under warranty. I've taken it to Sparky's and am already impressed with the friendly, efficient and obliging service I received.

In these days of disposable appliances, it's reassuring to know that these small businesses exist nearby, and that things can be fixed instead of thrown on the rubbish heap.

There is plenty of parking on site and the process of dropping off your appliance is easy. I was given a job sheet and told how many days I can expect the job to take, roughly 5 - 10 working days. Happy with that :).

Good for a Sunday afternoon browse. In fact, on the last Sunday of every month, they have 'fill a bag with clothes for $5'.

It's a small store with fairly easy parking, very well maintained and clean. There is the customary odour of musty clothing but in fairness, everything is hung nicely and seems clean. The shop is made up of a series of rooms because it used to be a house. The thrift shop itself is one arm of The Developing Foundation which was established in 1978 to help children and adults with brain injury and developmental disability.

We weren't served so I can't comment on the service itself but there was a lovely older woman at the counter when we walked in.

A couple of young girls were trying on shoes and one of them found the perfect pair, in her size, for just $15. We didn't buy anything on this occasion but it was nice to browse.

My 16 year old son and I spent an hour or so on a Sunday afternoon browsing through this place. I go there every year or so to fill in time. Thanks to that new song "Thrift Shop", he thought it'd be an extremely fun thing to do. He tried on some coats like the ones mentioned in the song, we took photos and he uploaded them to Facebook. He wanted to buy a number plate, a wall shelf and a couple of other things but I suggested a 'cooling off period' which is how I do things myself.

The Paddington Antique Centre is a treasure trove. It's huge and filled with countless corners, all containing the most fascinating things ... books, crockery, clothing, jewellery, furniture, linens, collectibles, records, ornaments, whatever you can imagine. I particularly enjoyed telling him stories as I picked up things that are familiar from my own childhood and we had a lovely time laughing, chatting and wandering around.

He may still go back and buy something yet!

I do find the prices to be a bit higher than reasonable however I'm sure haggling would be an acceptable practice.

Parking is a bit inconvenient but take a walk in the fresh air and sunshine and enjoy the outing :).

Had a quiet, late Sunday lunch here. The place is quite big but there were only 2 other tables occupied. Being the Sunday after Christmas, it's very quiet along Park Road!

We had chicken schnitzel and pizza. I'm always wary of chicken schnitzel as it's not often made very well but this was delicious! It was served with really good chips and a side salad. They also put a help-yourself bottle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil on the table. The pizza was Capricciosa with chilli flakes, not bad at all. All pizzas are rectangular, just for something a little bit different.

The smallest pizza (the 25cm) is $21.00 which I think is unreasonably pricey and the chicken was $23.00, ok for its size.

The wait staff are friendly and obliging. Parking is available at the back (limited so probably not too simple when busy).

There's kind of a sports bar vibe and I was amused to see a framed (probably signed??) piece of Lance Armstrong memorabilia on the wall. Maybe they didn't get the memo!

Anyway, decent food, somewhere different to go and will probably go back again.

I can't praise Sarah at this store highly enough. My son bought me a wi-fi ipad2 for Christmas and I wanted to upgrade to a 3G but he didn't keep the receipt. I spoke to Sarah (the day after Boxing Day) and she couldn't have been more helpful and cheerful. She went out of her way to assist and even had to ring around a few stores to find the 3G in stock. She also arranged to have our receipt emailed to our local store so we could pick the 3G ipad up without difficulties.

I wrote a letter of praise to the company and within hours, received a reply thanking me for taking the time to write.

Seriously, if all bricks and mortar retail organisations performed to the high standards I experienced at JB Hi-Fi today - particularly the Albert St store and Sarah - then the industry would be in a far better position.

Very, very happy and grateful!

Very disappointed in the condition of this property. However, we did receive a refund for the time remaining (we checked out early) so I won't be too verbose in my description. It's an old, old building that's in dire need of refurbishment. Suitable if you don't plan on spending a great deal of time indoors because it's literally across the road from one of the world's most famous beaches, Surfers Paradise Beach. Short walk to CBD with restaurants, shopping and services.

Do your homework before booking ANY accommodation. We didn't do enough and found out the hard way.

It's cheap but not particularly cheerful. Still, as I said, it's in a prime location and the views are stunning.