Reviews by alberto_p

This review is for Trend Bathroom & Kitchen, Moorabbin VIC

verified email - 12 Aug 2011

As part of our renovation, we had to supply the necessary bathroom and laundry fixtures. We shopped around and Trend Bathroom & Kitchen came recommended.
While the store is reasonably small, the range is sufficient to satisfy a broad range of needs. For us, we mixed and matched the value with the boutique and the service provided by Ricky was outstanding. As with any build, we came back a few times to try different styles of towel rails, toilet roll holders, and even toilets! Each time, Ricky was there to accommodate us.
While some bathroom supply places intimidate by high prices and obscure European products, the range at Trend is satisfyingly broad but not too large to be overwhelming. Definitely worth a visit.

This review is for Zuji, North Sydney NSW

verified email - 23 Mar 2011

We booked flights for a wedding overseas some 6 months ahead since we saw a great price. The problem was when the wedding date was changed, we had to amend our ticket. This was when the trouble started. I guess it's about knowing the conditions associated with your discounted fare which means that not only do you need to pay a Zuji 'admin fee' of about $55 a ticket but also an additional airline cancellation/amendment fee. That's before any differences in airline fares.
There's also the usual outsourced call centre to deal with which may or may not get your goat.

So, while the fares are cheap and the buying process is easy, beware the terms and conditions of an inexpensive flight.

This review is for Novetel Barossa Valley, Rowland Flat SA

verified email - 15 Nov 2010

I've been to this Novotel venue three times, twice on business trips and once on a driving holiday. In all instances, the resort is what you'd expect from a Novotel - clean, mid market fare, providing sufficient comfort without feeling like you're on a very strict budget.
This venue has an amazing view and provides family-friendly facilities including pool, toy 'room', tennis courts, golf course, archery, and flying fox!

Approximate cost: $200+

This review is for Vue de Monde, Melbourne VIC

verified email - 15 Nov 2010

Our annual degustation splurge brought us to the French icon in Melbourne - Vue De Monde. Rather than the late night offering, we decided to try their lunch menu.
A place like this does have a sense of intimidation. Everything appears to be meticulously planned - the way you are greeted ("Since it's your first time at Vue De Monde...") to the curious decor (all available for sale). We were sat by the window, overlooking the patrons at Cafe Vue next door (I wonder who was envious of whom?).
While the food was very, very good, I found that the service was the icing on this cake. They weren't as intimidating as you would imagine (or did they match staff persona with relative patron experience? - it wouldn't surprise me if they did). We were carefully taken through the items on the menu and even the potentially sensitive topic of cost ($35 for a glass of champagne!) was very delicately discussed. Naturally, the meals were exquisite and matching wines were even better (yep, I liked them MORE than the food).
The Vue de Monde experience is completely holistic - food, decor, wine, staff. It all delivers on an amazing promise and is a definite must do for the foodies in town.

Approximate cost: $250

This review is for Benalli Kitchen Concepts, Mordialloc VIC

verified email - 15 Nov 2010

We're in the process of renovating our home and was recommended Benalli in Mordialloc. While our source was reliable, we weren't so sure who he dealt with at Benalli. On our first visit, the man who spoke to us about our design was rude, to the point of refusing our business on the basis of price (that is, he couldn't possibly go that low). While we weren't playing hardball (he was only the second place we saw), to just dismiss us felt downright rude. He even mentioned that he wouldn't deal with us unless we paid a deposit. Clearly he didn't really want our business.
That said, when we saw some of what they produced, it was far better than our first option. We subsequently came back with our builder to try and negotiate with him. This was when he added 50% to his original quote, saying that he wasn't quite sure of what we spoke about earlier.
So, avoid this guy. Shonky.

This review is for Kimchi Grandma Restaurant, Carnegie VIC

verified email - 20 Jul 2010

Quick and unplanned Friday dinners. Yes, it's a big challenge for everyone and particularly more so if you don't have a booking. If you like great value meals and have a palate for the clean, luscious, savory and spicy style of Korean food, then this is a pretty good place.
If you arrive before the crush (pre-6:30pm) you'll probably get fed pretty quickly and a single serve can probably feed two adults when paired with Kim Chi.
The tough part is finding parking on Koornang Rd, so I suggest parking at the nearby Safeway carpark.

Approximate cost: $15

This review is for Combi Coffee, Elwood VIC

verified email - 20 May 2010

One of the best ever apps on the iPhone is the Melbourne Coffee Review. For a coffee junkie like me, it is a godsend. One day, on the way to work, I really needed my fix. So, with a few taps I find this little nook in Elwood - charming facade with its bright red sign with the perfect promise, "Combi Coffee - Espresso Bar".
I sidle up to the window and order. While I'm no aficionado, I think I can tell bad coffee from good. This was good. Anthony (the owner, whose name I found out through FourSquare) is an inviting sort; I think you could have a good old chat with him about beans and such (or life for that matter). He is a warm owner, greets familiar clients by name and gives this cafe an air of dignity and charm that such coffee bars deserve.
I keep coming back for the lovely coffee and unlike other other serious coffee houses, this one seems to just do it without taking it too seriously.

Approximate cost: $4.50

This review is for Jerry's Milkbar, Elwood VIC

verified email - 03 Nov 2009

The search for kid-friendly venues is part solved by Jerry's Milkbar. It has an indoor/outdoor facilities; the latter has a small cubby house, numerous ride on trains and buckets of toys that will keep a high-energy toddler occupied for the length of your meal.
The food is simple - the ham, cheese and tomato toasted sandwich I had looked just as I would have made it. The coffee is good and certainly better than my machine and I could do. The staff are also friendly and very much mindful that you are juggling your tummy and your tot.

Approximate cost: $12

This review is for Seed Cafe, Mordialloc VIC

verified email - 03 Nov 2009

As a parent of a super-charged toddler, it's always tough to find a kid-friendly venue. My wife, blessed with the ability to glean information from perfect strangers, discovered this great cafe.
During the week, it's a hangout for mums and bubs. By the weekend, it's a fashionable hangout for the trendy set. The food is a better standard than normal cafe fare without being too obscure. Lay people can read the menu and there aren't puzzled looks about trying to decipher odd terms. The staff are friendly and service is prompt.
There's an outdoor area, separated from the indoors by sliding door. This is our spot - a place to get away from the normal patrons while keeping our energizer bunny entertained.

Approximate cost: $15

This review is for Victoria Electricity, Melbourne VIC

verified email - 03 Nov 2009

I was lulled into a false sense of security when Victoria Electricity came to my door offering energy-saving light bulbs. Before I knew it, I had signed over from my existing utility provider (I wasn't happy with them anyway). The rates were comparable but I guess I was trying to find a reason to leave my old provider.
As with most utility providers, residents are given a discount for on-time payment. Rather than set up a direct payment from my credit card, I wanted to maintain control. So, each month, I paid them on time albeit somewhat later in the evening (between 8 and 11pm) given the need to do home duties (cooking, cleaning, child-rearing) first.
Once my bills started coming, I noticed that I wasn't receiving the discount. I called them and realized that their call centre is completely offshore. They mentioned that while I paid on time, they take a day to process credit card payments and that's why the discount wasn't applied. To avoid this, they asked me to pay early next time. Of course that didn't sit well. I wanted control of when I paid. The operator at the other end refused to see my side. While I argued that I tend to pay all my bills this way (mobile, broadband, water) and have never had an issue, they are the only business that ran like this. I asked for a supervisor but he also stuck to script and said that this was a condition of my contract. I mentioned that I would be more than happy to leave to which he replied, "I'll connect you to accounts".