After walking out of Bayswater Mitre 10 I went to Bunnings and found the help I needed from Keith in the timber dept and Steve who cut all of my timber for me.
I had a list of timber measurements in inches but unlike the guys at Mitre 10, Keith and Steve were helpful, worked out the conversions and displayed terrific customer service.
It's big and sometimes you can't seem to find anyone to help you but on this visit I walked out with everything I needed from two very helpful team members.
I won't bother going anywhere else.

Approximate cost: $110

Walked in with a timber list and a cut list for a project I was starting. Approached by Steve in the store who was very helpful and suggested that I go to the timber dept. first and then see him for the other supplies I needed.
Got to the timber dept. and was met at the desk by two guys, one sucking a lollipop and another who seemed just as interested. When I gave them my timber list they told me that they can't possibly work out anything because I had come in with inches (from a website) on the plans instead of mm's. When I suggested a tape measure which has both types of length measurements they miraculously remembered what the conversions were. One of them stopped me midway through a sentence to answer a phone call on his mobile. I then went and saw a guy in the timber yard who told me he'd only been there three months and he didn't know what I was talking about. When I presented him with the timber list & cut list complete with converted measurements and advised him that I needed these items cut he then informed me that he was going to lunch in 2 minutes.
When I said I might as well go to Bunnings he said fine. I took my list and gave him back the store's measuring tape and left but not before being held up at the timber dept's exit boom gate until the lollipop guy came out to make sure I hadn't stolen their measuring tape!
Disgraceful customer service...is it any wonder they're so quiet there.

Approximate cost: $200

The more times we go the worse this place gets.
The last (and final) time I ordered a veal parmagiana. Now I know at the price they're charging it's not going to be milk-fed veal but I did expect to be able to get a knife through it. It was so tough and you could literally hear the knife trying to cut through the gristle! It was also a tiny serving...it was a joke.
I sent it back and decided it would be safer to just share the pizza already on the table than risk getting another meal made.
The pizza itself was bland, tasteless, oily and the base was far too thick and heavy.
Another thing is the service...they have a lot of young/er kids working there, obviously they're cheaper, but the older/more superior staff think nothing of berating these poor kids in front of diners and there's just no need for it.
We felt quite uncomfortable as a young fellow was told off by the manager right at our table all for just asking if we'd finished with a glass.
As previously mentioned the grubby play area is bordering on revolting and the coin operated ball machine so strategically placed outside the play area fence, not to mention the big coin operated ride inside the fence, is a nice touch to just send kids over the edge as they beg their parents for money. The fencing of the play area is made of wooden pickets (think outside fencing) so you can't see your child in there.
And just when you think you've made it out of there without the children contracting 'pink eye' and/or having a huge fit about the machines you have to walk past two more coin operated game machines to get out the door.
But if you're still keen to go after reading this then just let me give you a suggestion...don't let your children go anywhere near the huge fish tank in the middle of the restaurant...no sooner do they go near that thing than a lady, who I assume is the manager, will be on top of them hassling them screeching, "Don't touch the glass! Don't touch the glass!"
Honestly, bigger does not mean better...the restaurant is huge and there always seems to be a lot of people in there but if it's a great pizza you want bypass this mass produced junk and head next door to La Porchetta. Their pizzas are brilliant and let's face it, kids don't always need a play area...we all managed to survive our childhoods without one. ;)

We ordered take away from La Porchetta Croydon so I can't comment on the dining experience but in an area where we are not spoiled for choice for great, traditional pizza, La Porchetta is a standout!
The pizzas were delicious, with the just the right amount of sauce and traditionally made and by that I mean not a kilo of cheese plonked on top.
The ham was tasty, the olives weren't dry and tasteless and the other ingredients were nice and fresh.
Pastry was just the right thickness, not like a Salada but not thick like a focaccia.
After trying out all of the pizza shops in the area La Porchetta is the best and we'll go back!
Don't be fooled by Sophia's next door. Yes it's big and there always seems to be a lot of people in there but their pizzas are shocking and don't hold a candle to La Porchetta.

Booked a table for a mother's group for 11am - as clearly stated on the website
"Discount Rates Available For Groups of 6 Children Or More."
First family arrived at 11.08am to be told they'd given our table away because we were late and there was no discount to the entry fee because it has to be 6 or more adults...then when we questioned this we were told that they don't take bookings on school holidays.
We had no choice other than to pay the full price and try and find a table...we had 8 children with us who were standing at the gate waiting to get in.
Play area was good - school holidays so lots of kids.
I would have liked to have seen a separate baby/toddler area in the main play space instead of being tucked away underneath the big kid's structure...and right next door to the children's toilet. They used to have one set up right in front of the tables when it was Play Days but it's not there any more.
Don't think the high chairs are cleaned very regularly let alone the play equipment, as they state on their website.
Food took a long time to arrive but it was very busy and only 3 staff working on school holidays.
Food is quite reasonably priced yet I think the drinks (which the kids need moreso than food because of how hot and thirsty they get) are overpriced for what they are.
Toilets for the children to use independently but no clear signage on the door.
Overall a good play centre but when a group booking is made and a price quoted then they should in all fairness honour it and then take it up with whatever staff member took the booking & gave the customer the 'wrong' information. Seemed like they relied on the fact that we weren't going to walk away once our children were standing in the venue and wanting to enter which is cheeky of them.

Approximate cost: $8.00

If you're happy paying over $9 for pancakes then I'd recommend this place.
If like me, you realise the incredible mark up on flour, egg, milk mixed together then you'll give this place a miss.
Called in there around lunchtime. I had the deluxe fries - chunks of potato (skin on), fried with bacon and shredded cheese on top (with sour cream on the side). Nothing special, pretty forgettable really...
No childrens' menu (or none was offered to us) so I had to buy two pancakes for $9 for my child.
Total of the bill for 2 adults - 1 having pancakes, 1 having the fries and 1 child having 2 pancakes was $46.00.
On our way out I asked for some milk for my baby's bottle and was charged $2 for that...because they hadn't got enough out of us!

Took our kids there...ages 7, 4 and 1 and they had a great time.
The staff were attentive without being too 'in your face' and our waitress, Sam was helpful and sincere. I wanted to feed our 1 year old his own meal which Sam took away to be warmed for me. It came back on little plate, perfectly warmed and ready to go.
The two older boys had the chicken tenders/chips and the cheeseburger/chips and the Oreo milk shake and the peanut butter/fudge milk shake and they were both very impressed!!
My Mum and I both had the Chicken tender BLT which was huge and very tasty...it's not really healthy food but honestly, if you're looking for organic lentil and tofu salads then you'd be stupid to walk into TGI's in the first place...it's sometimes food, you know that because it tastes so good lol.
The soft drinks were refilled for 'free' and the wait staff did a great job ensuring they held their end of the deal by refilling drinks promptly.
TGI's has a great atmosphere, it's welcoming and friendly and it's a great place to catch up with friends and/or take the kids for a no fuss meal.
The cost for 2 adults meals, bottomless drinks, 2 childrens meals, 2 shakes was around $70.00...not cheap but then cheaper and better than the rubbish they churn out at the 'entertainment venues' with play centres masquerading as pubs these days.
We'll definitely go back.

We obviously dined on a very difficult night for Misty and her staff. We were there for Valentine's Day for dinner and the staff seemed very overwhelmed. We booked for 8.30pm and at 10pm we had only had our starter...we waited too long and some of the staff really didn't have a clue, you'd ask for your table to be cleared and they'd wander off, do other things and then eventually come back, or they just wouldn't return at all. The place was full but really, it still should not have taken that long for our meals. We were just about at the end of our tether when the waitress told us that Misty would like to offer us a drink and her apologies while we still waited...the Reece's Pieces thickshake...OH MY GIDDY AUNT, who would have thought peanut butter in a thickshake could taste so good! Our meals were straight out after and I'm glad we didn't walk out like we'd planned. It was great.
Hubby and I both had burgers with sides of wet fries and gravy (felt so guilty eating them!) and hubby had the taco fries.
Misty took the time to sit and have a chat with us and offer her apologies which was great customer service. She knows how to treat her customers...she's a good operator.
We picked up some treats for our children on the way out, chocolates and pop tarts...Misty you need to start selling Bugles!!!
It was a pity that our first Misty's diner experience wasn't the best but we will go back again...we'll just make sure it's on a quieter day.

Our family has been going to Monte Carlo receptions for Christmas Day for the past 5 years and we will keep going back. The staff are fantastic, their Christmas buffet is huge and great quality. There is a band and Santa makes an appearance for all of the children. Drinks (alcoholic & non alcoholic) are included in the price of the lunch and at the end of the day everyone gets up (feeling very full!) and goes home...a perfect Christmas day where no one has to lift a finger.
No complaints from here - we will go back!

Approximate cost: $100 p/head

It's always busy at Rainbow but there's a reason. Their prices and the quality of the meat is fantastic. Their porterhouse steaks are great and they have a brilliant range of fresh meat. The staff are friendly and work quickly to make sure no one is waiting too long.