Ainslie Laundrette is a funky, retro-inspired step up from the usual laundromat where you sit and watch your clothes going round and round.

The staff are helpful and friendly, and take your clothes out of the machine and put it in the dryer for you, so you can get on with your shopping or visit a nearby cafe.

One load costs about $16-20, depending on drying time.

The Shed offers more upmarket food options, and more elbow room, than rival cafes in Westfield Woden. The baked goods aren't very appetising, but their lunch options are tempting.

Today was our first visit to Belluci's and I think we've found our new favourite restuarant!

We didn't have a reservation, but the staff were friendly and welcoming. The vibe is modern Italian with under-stated decor.

The food was absolutely first-rate! I couldn't praise it highly enough - delicious and beautifully presented with generous portions.

We will definitely be back!

Mayfair Espresso is a new cafe on the corner of No Name Lane, near the Mayfair Apartments. It is friendly and inviting, with glossy magazines and a tempting array of bite-size baked goods. However, their coffee lets them down. On the day we visited, our coffees were barely warm and very weak, which was odd considering Mayfair Espresso's Italian vibe.

Black Pepper is a casual cafe and bar conveniently located near Lake Ginninderra and Westfield Belconnen. The service is very quick and efficient, and the food is lovely and fresh.

Manhattan on the Park cafe is located in the new Manhattan on the Park building, just across the road from Glebe Park.

It's uber-trendy (all the staff sport beards), with potted plants in recycled tins, and milk-based drinks served in milk bottles (I thought that had gone out of fashion?). The menu utilises locally-sourced products, including coffee from the Lonsdale Street Roasters, and a small wine selection from the Canberra district.

Our generously-proportioned smoked chicken breast and smoked lamb salads were delicious, but we struggled to cut the meat with the knives provided. Also, the service on the day we visited left a bit to be desired.

We dropped in yesterday for a late-afternoon drink and snack. Two glasses of wine and a generous antipasto platter cost $53.00. The antipasto platter arrived on a long board, which the waitress propped up on two tins of tomatoes, which I though was odd. The ambience was casual and the staff very attentive.

Hoi Polloi is the new restaurant in the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. The decor fits the historic building, with bound copies of Hansard in a display case, an old Bakelite radio, and an old television set.

Unfortunately, our dining experience didn't live up to expectations. I ordered a chicken fillet burger which arrived on a small breadboard (I thought this style of presentation had gone out of fashion) and my burger was placed directly on top of a facsimile of a vintage newspaper. Cutting into a burger placed on top of "newsprint" just didn't feel right. Also, my chicken was very dry and overcooked.

We were also disappointed with the wine service, as our standard-size glasses arrived half-full, so we were probably each served half a standard-sized drink.

Polit Bar is the ideal venue for a special occasion. The staff are friendly, professional and make a great martini. It's a great place with a relaxed atmosphere. They also organise parties if you're after more than a drink. Highly recommended for a fun night out!

Akiba is a pleasant venue for a relaxed drink or meal. They invent their own cocktails - always a plus in my book! The Asian-inspired cuisine is a bit different and very yummy. On the day we dropped in, the service was friendly, but a little lacking, with dirty glasses from previous guests left on our table.