I love this grocer. Products are always top quality. My kids love their strawberries. Very friendly…read morestaff and very easy to access.

On one of those Saturdays that I decided I would do a little bit of exploration I found myself up…read moreTemplestowe way and discovered this street lined with cafes. It was quite tranquil actually, though unfortunately I didn't have a huge amount of time so I randomly picked Harry's cafe and decided to grab a coffee to go. Well, my first impression was that this place was packed, so obviously they are doing something right. They had a pretty nice selection of cakes, as well as other offerings (including breakfast, but as I mentioned, I didn't have a huge amount of time). The coffee wasn't bad and the staff were really friendly, so I'm going to have to come up here again sometime, even if it is only for breakfast.

Frank's staff and service is brilliant. Always with a smile and prompt. Breakfast menu is…read moresensational!

This place is known as Lower Plenty Fresh Fruit and Vegetables…read more So the name pretty much sums it up. A small store but full of good quality fruit and vegetable offerings. I like my greengrocer complete with small deli selection, pasta, yoghurts and maybe some juice. This place delivers all this as well as Ben & Jerry ice-cream. Yum. The staff are friendly and are happy to chat and as far as a local fruit and veg store this place delivers. Really apart from George Clooney, what more could you want from a fruit and veg store?

Gorgeous space tucked away in Eltham! Second home is a spacious art gallery cafe with loads of…read morenatural light and extensive food menu! Stopped in for a quick breakfast on my way to an appointment and I don't want to leave! Their Almond milk magic was the caffeine hit I needed and Noisette Fruit toast served with home made jams is delicious. I'll definitely be back to try more of their breakfast and lunch menu!

Whilst there's more to Second Home than Cheeseburgers - it has an artisan bakery and art gallery…read morewith photography features on the day - it would be remiss of me not to try a staple! The beef was medium, beautifully juicy and tasty, with lashings of cheese melting from the sides. A hint of pickle lasted with each mouthful and the bun was deliciously crispy and sweet. The accompanying frites were perfectly crisp and warm, the coffee excellent. I wonder if perhaps the price point was a little high, but certainly a terrific local find worth checking out!

A long time Templestowe institution in the heart of Templestowe (on the roundabout)that has seen…read moremany other businesses come and go over the years. Consistently hearty (large) pasta dishes, personal favourites - the spicy Amatriciana and Calabrese although the menu extends to other Italian classics and a good selection of daily specials including seafood. A popular spot with plenty of (heated) patio seating, well suited to a family gathering.

Second leg of a catch up with old friends. We moved on from the local pub to here on a…read morerecommendation. This is a largish suburban Italian restaurant. I'd call it comfort food they serve here. My marinara pizza reminded me of the good ones I used to eat in the old days out in the 'burbs. Nothing fancy about it but plenty of good tomato sauce and ample seafood and expertly cooked. A seriously good old style pizza. Not gourmet, not wood fired, just old style with crusts you loved to finish. I really liked it. The other dishes at the table were good too and there were lots of nods all round. They also make a great coffee here. Mine was a beauty. A final compliment for the servers here tonight especially the older lady who mainly attended to us. The service was fantastic. Brisk, efficient, friendly and at times, witty. It helped make for a very nice night. As I wandered off to go home I began to reflect on how little I really knew. The chances of me coming to a place like this without a special occasion and being wedged into going we're probably zero. It would have been my loss.

Wishbone butcher at the Pines is the busiest butcher at the centre. It very often has a queue…read morearound the counter although it can be difficult to know where to stand to get served next. They have a few staff on at a time so they tend to get through everyone alright but make sure to try and make eye contact so that they know you are waiting. The thing I like most about this place is that they provide a heap of brochures on the counter that give cooking instructions for the meat they sell. For a total cooking failure this is a real bonus for me as it helps me make sure I am not going to burn the meat, glaze it when I am not supposed to or do anything else wrong. The brochures are for items like Chicken Kiev as well as more general items like steak. The prices are standard amongst butchers but competitive when comparing to bigger chain stores such as Coles and Woolies.

In the Lower Plenty shopping scape lives the Lower Plenty Cellar, home of lots of celebration…read moreworthy wines and adult beverages. In a nutshell: -Red and white wines. A wide range. -Sparkling wine. Budget and french options. -Beer. Mainly a domestic selection, but a few international offerings. -Ready To Drink, well drinks. Think UDL, Breezers and the like. -Liquor and spirits. What else do you need? A good range of clear skins? Done. If you need advice. The best bet is to visit on weekends when the counter is attended. I admit to missing a gourmet food selection here, but with a IGA supermarket as part of the space it really is a non-issue.