I regularly enjoy their steamed mini pork buns. You can watch them being made - very hygienic conditions and interesting to see how fast the pork bun makers are! You get 8 for $7, which I think is great value. Personally, I like to have a bit of the vinegar with them and find this enhances the flavour. You do have to be careful when you pierce them, though, as the liquid/soup inside is super-hot and you could burn your mouth. There is nearly always a queue (which is a good sign), so put your name down on the waiting list (the seat turnovers are usually fairly quick). If the wait is slightly longer, you can always go and do your grocery shopping in Chatswood Chase (there's a Coles store nearby). Parking is convenient - 3 hours' free in the Chase. Highly recommended for the best pork buns in Sydney (in my opinion).

Although the ambience and ventilation in this restaurant could be improved, the food is outstanding. The flavours are authentic and you can taste all the delicate herbs and spices. My personal favourite is the Chicken Sagwala (spinach-based with green herbs from the Kashmiri area). The Butter Chicken is also delectable, and their Tandoori Prawns starter is a winner (wish they would serve a slightly larger portion). The garlic naan is delicious, as is the mango chutney and mint & yoghurt sauce. The owner and his wife are extremely hospitable and friendly. I've been going there for a number of years now, and would highly recommend the food. It may not be an 'in' place, or modern, chic Indian like Nilgeri's in St Leonard's, but in my humble opinion, the tastes are far more subtle and flavoursome than you'll find at most Indian eateries. So if it's the food that's most important to you, I reckon that this is where you'll find the best - consistently - at great value. Oh, and their takeaways are just as good.

Approximate cost: $17

This is my 'local' as it's conveniently located. Love the Campos coffee - they make a great soy latte (and coffees with regular milk). The staff members are always friendly and warm and the service is good. They serve delicious breakfasts, brunches and lunches and are reasonably priced for what you get. I enjoy their French Toast with bacon and tomato, served with fresh seasonal fruit, and their traditional full English Breakfast is delicious. Since I'm lactose intolerant, it helps when they get it right (no milk in the scrambled eggs, please). They serve decadent sweet delights (their white choc Florentines are my personal favourite) - so it's always tempting to order a sweet treat with my coffee. The restaurant has a set-back view of Lavender Bay, and in the warmer weather, it's lovely to sit outside under the umbrellas (when the wind is funnelling up Cliff St!). I would suggest to them that they invest in outdoor gas heaters so that customers can sit outside even in the cooler months. Overall, this spot is a winner for me, and I often meet friends there for a catch-up.

Approximate cost: $17

I've been going there for about two or three years now and I would certainly recommend this salon. Nancy and the girls are friendly, helpful and very accommodating. They do a really good job - I usually have a manicure and pedicure with shellac, and I find it lasts really well (although I do have very strong nails). It's a really relaxing experience - just LOVE those massage chairs!! The foot spas and generally the entire salon is kept neat and clean. I've never had a problem with picking up a bacterial or fungal infection (as some of my friends who've been elsewhere have found). Their late opening hours are a bonus - especially for people who work full-time, and they are conveniently situated near public transport. I really look forward to each pampering session and leave the salon feeling great, with hands, feet and nails looking awesome. I've received many compliments - so it's only fair to pass these on to the salon as well.

Approximate cost: $70

Up until I'd tasted the burger at The Chalkboard Cafe in Waterloo, this would have to be my top choice for tasty, juicy, real beef burgers - served with delicious fries and sauces. Great range of menu choices (burgers, that is) and good value. Once had a takeaway, and the young woman, Liz, who served me was amazing. She packed every ingredient and sauce into separate containers (very rapidly, I might add), and explained exactly which bits to put where and to only heat up the beef patty in the microwave or the rest would become soggy (I didn't have a griller). Within minutes, she'd parcelled up my takeaway like a gift - she even labelled what was what - and I was ready to go. It was as delicious as the burgers I've enjoyed at their premises. For a 'healthy' burger that tastes delicious and is made of real beef mince (they say their meat is hormone-free and the cattle are grass-fed), I'd rate this as one of the best. The fact that it's part of a franchise, makes it all the more impressive (quite often these don't go to as much trouble as a stand-alone restaurant). This gets a big thumbs up from me! PS: I've been there this past week, and want to add that the burgers are consistently good. My personal favourite is the Summer Sunset, but there are so many delicious options from which to choose, that I'm definitely going to give some others a go (I believe the lamb burgers are especially yummy). What also impressed me, is that the Grill'd chain is socially responsible. They support the community that supports them via a program called Local Matters (I took a flyer to have a closer look). Every month, each local Grill'd discovers & promotes three groups from the local area. In Australia where (to my knowledge), corporate social responsibility is not compulsory for all business organisations (as it is in some countries), I commend Grill'd on doing what's right. Kudos to them for a great initiative. I reckon they deserve to be supported in return.

Approximate cost: $15

I had one of the best beef burgers there. The plating was appealing, as were the sides. The burger patty itself was succulent and 'crumbly' - not compacted meat as so many patties are these days. The burger was cooked to perfection, and everything that came with it (can't quite remember each relish), was delicious. It was served on a square panini which was crisp and warm. The coffee was excellent, too. I enjoyed the relaxed and open, inviting atmosphere, and found the staff members very helpful. I believe they are open for breakfasts, brunches and lunches - and afternoon tea/coffee and nibbles. I arrived quite late one afternoon, and was fortunate that the kitchen only closed at 3pm - just made it in time! All in all, it was a burger to remember & I will most certainly be going back there... soon!

Approximate cost: $17

My sister and I are regulars on Saturdays (have been going there for yum cha for about seven years). The staff members are friendly and helpful and know what we like. The food is great and the prices are reasonable.

We especially love their chicken, mushroom and choy sum noodle soup (with a dash of chilli paste and red vinegar on the side). Their sesame prawn rolls are crispy and delicious (with the sweet/sour dipping sauce), the pan-fried pork dumplings are juicy and taste great with a touch of red vinegar, and (most Westerners probably won't agree) the chicken feet in a soy, ginger, chilli and black bean sauce are superb. Their steamed dumplings are really good, too. I also enjoy their mango pancakes from time to time, especially when it's hot in summer.

Over the years, we've learnt to 'pace ourselves' by ordering less and staggering the order. We also try to avoid too many fried or battered dishes, as these are more filling and less healthy. Sipping on freshly-brewed jasmine tea, also helps with digestion.

We like the fact that there is lots of space in the restaurant and that you're not crammed in like at some yum cha places. It has a relaxed and roomy atmosphere, looking out on to the rooftop gardens. It's clean and easy to access - free parking for three hours on a Saturday. This spot will continue to be a regular haunt for us for years to come. In fact, if we miss a Saturday for some reason, we start feeling 'withdrawal symptoms'!

Approximate cost: $8

The owners and staff are exceptionally warm, friendly and helpful. The service is outstanding. Tina & Lennie make us feel like old friends. During the week, they serve a baguette with pork belly, rocket & camembert which is absolutely divine. Their coffee is superb (Campos) - and I'm a soy milk drinker, so I appreciate a really good and creamy soy latte (which so many other baristas get wrong). Their chocolate brownies are the best I've tasted in years (have bits of white chocolate inside). The brownies are dark and not sickly sweet - just simply delicious! I would highly recommend Taste Baguette in Greenwood Plaza, North Sydney for a light meal or coffee and a snack - oh, and their tea is heavenly, too! Parking is convenient - during the week, you get one hour's free parking as long as you validate the ticket at one of the machines in the centre. On Saturdays, you can park free for three hours (no validation of ticket required). If you want to enjoy the outdoors, you can ask for a takeaway and go upstairs to sit in the roof garden under the trees. My favourite place to unwind and savour a superior latte.

Approximate cost: $16

Love going there, because Bec and her team make me feel like part of the 'family'. Excellent cuts, colouring, & keratin treatments, as well as products and service... and, of course, outstanding value! My hair has never been happier! Bec is super professional, and so warm and friendly, and will always bend over backwards to accommodate. Great location, facilities and staff makes the whole experience really enjoyable and keeps me going back for more. Customer since 2005. They also treat new customers extremely well, thereby creating a loyal following. I would highly recommend LHD to anyone who values their hair and wants it treated with complete care.