Or perhaps ...

The Algarve (03) 9531 2926, 97 Brighton Rd, Elwood - Politely fashionable, fairly fishy, food at reasonable prices, a minimal wine list and a pleasant courtyard area are found in this Elwwod eatery.

Alluvial Restaurant 8627 1567, , Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto, 495 Collins Street, Melbourne

The Apartment (03) 9670 4020, , 401 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - Cafe at lunch tapas and drinks later - pleasant 'corporate' scene with live music at weekends

Arintji 9663 9900, Federation Square, Swanston St cnr Flinders St, Melbourne - Arintji has Federation Square's prime spot, and on Jacques Reymond it certainly isn't squandered. This is a very professional set up.

Balencea (03) 9867 4466, 454 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne

Barbagallo Trattoria E Pizzeria 9639 6222, 103 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Barca Food & Wine 9822 8515, 1007 High St, Armadale

Bar Corvina (03) 9537 0244, 157 Fitzroy St, St Kilda - Nothing ground breaking but a great feel. Bar Corvina, as the French say "fits well in its skin".

Bar Humbug (03) 9642 0115, 586 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Benito's 9670 5347, , 445 Little Collins St, Melbourne - Benito's feels like an old friend. The menu at breakfast and lunch is Italian, and in the early evenings it's antipasto and wine.

Blue Bar (03) 9529 6499, 330 Chapel St, Prahran - Cool and stylish bar that attracts a young crowd. Music most nights and drinks till late.

Bluecorn (03) 9534 5996, 205 Barkly St, St Kilda - The food is Mexican, the chef is trendy, prices are reasonable and the service minimalist.

Bottega 9654 2252, , 74 Bourke St, Melbourne - The room is pleasant, the dishes are simple but well done, and are complimented by a thoughtful wine selection.

Brighton Savoy - Seaview Restaurant (03) 9592 8233, , NULL, 150 The Esplanade, Brighton

Caboose (03) 9663 4448, 4 City Sq, Melbourne

Caffe Cento Venti (03) 9650 5621, 120 Collins St, Melbourne - Caffe Cento Venti has it all; a bar, a cafe, an upmarket restaurant and an outdoor area under the plane trees at the Paris end of Collins Street.

Cafe Chagall (03) 9523 0289, 326 Glen Eira Rd, Elsternwick - The quintessentially cosmopolitan Cafe Chagall is a very family-friendly restaurant.

Cafe Chinotto (03) 9650 8666, Federation Square, 2 Swanston St, Melbourne

Cafe Excello (03) 9650 0990, 99 Spring St, Melbourne

Cafe Intimo (03) 9606 0130, 439 Little Collins St, Melbourne

Cafe L'Incontro (03) 9650 9603, Swanston St cnr Little Collins St, Melbourne - A standard cafe but the position nestled next to the Town Hall makes it all worthwhile on a fine day.

Cafe Max (03) 9600 1697, 56-58 Hardware St, Melbourne - People like the buffet food at lunch here. There's usually a big display of salads available or you can order from a menu of pastas and grills.

Cafe Orange 9529 1644, 126 Chapel St, Windsor - It feels a bit like a student house albeit an orange one and it has a great hidden garden with a big old peppercorn out the back.

Caffe Per Te (03) 9592 0169, 66 Church St, Brighton - Caffe Per Te, is somewhat of an institution in Brighton. The cool, dark wood interior, is a pleasant backdrop for the traditional Italian menu.

Campari House (03) 9600 1574, , NULL, 23-25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne

Camy Shanghai Dumpling & Noodle Restaurant (03) 9663 8555, 23 Tattersalls la, Melbourne - For dumpling addicts this is a wonderland. Camy Shanghai serves steamed or deep fried dumplings and other Shanghainese dishes.

Caterina's Cucina e Bar 9670 8488, Basement, 221 Queen St, Melbourne - Caterina's is only open lunches, it is primarily a businessman's dining room. Service is very good.

Chez Olivier Le Bistro (03) 9525 2273, , 121 Greville St, Prahran

The Church Street Pantry (03) 9591 0393, 1 Church St, Brighton - This great cafe in Church Street, overlooking the ground of St. Andrews Church, is a well-kept secret.

Coda 9650 3155, Basement, 141 Flinders La Cnr Olivers La, Melbourne

Collins Quarter 9650 8500, 86A Collins St, Melbourne

Comme 9631 4000, , 7 Alfred Pl, Melbourne

Council House 2 9639 7778, Shop 1, 218-240 Little Collins St, Melbourne

Cumulus Inc 9650 1445, 45 Flinders La, Melbourne

Daguerres (03) 9510 3355, 322 Chapel St, Prahran - A funky Prahran cafe whose charcoal grey and orange walls are adorned with coloured photographs that Daguerre could only have dreamt of.

David Jones Foodhall (03) 9643 2222, Basement David Jones, 290 Bourke St, Melbourne

The Dogs Bar 8534 3000, 54 Acland St, St Kilda - This is one of Melbourne's great bars, loved by its St Kilda locals and by folks who want to be by the sea on weekends.

Duck Duck Goose Black 9005 0888, , 31-37 Artemis Lane, Melbourne

Dweezil (03) 9593 9907, 172 Carlisle St, St Kilda

Eat Drink Bento (03) 9642 1136, 115 Hardware St, Melbourne

Elwood Food & Wine Bar 9531 3339, , 201 Ormond Road, Elwood

Essence Restaurant 9660 1183, , Cnr Exibition & Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Florentino Cellar Bar 9662 1811, 80 Bourke St, Melbourne - The tiny tables support large plates of pasta, and the bar, the elbows of the drinkers. Dark wood lined and clubby.

Florentino Grill Room 9662 1811, 80 Bourke St, Melbourne - A classic grill-room, good ingredients simply but correctly cooked, served by professional waiters

Flying Duck Hotel (03) 9510 1173, 67 Bendigo St, Prahran - This old pub has a good environment with a courtyard and a beer garden and open fires in winter.

The Fringe Cafe (03) 9593 8550, 73 Acland St, St Kilda - Busy commercial operation in a central Acland St position. Well priced, something-for-everyone menu.

The Great Provider (03) 9525 5855, St Kilda Marina, Marine Pde, St Kilda - A fabulous situation. Perched on the water's edge at the St Kilda Marina The Great Provider's generous windows look out onto a busy nautical scene.

Harry's Restaurant (03) 9659 1592, , NULL, 111 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Hotel Max 9529 1006, , 32 Commercial Rd, Prahran

HQ's on William 9322 8177, , Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens, 380 William Street, Melbourne

Idea Fine Food & Wine 9663 8829, 146 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A Chinese restaurant with Japanese (and Cantonese) food with a huge bargain priced wine list.

Il Caminetto (Brighton) 9596 7222, , 284 Bay Street, Brighton

Il Locale 9510 0222, , NULL, 582 St Kilda Road, St Kilda

Il Nostro Posto (03) 9670 9939, , NULL, 60 Hardware Lane, Melbourne

Italy 1 (03) 9654 4430, , 27 George Pde, Melbourne - In a narrow laneway, off the Paris end of Collins Street, is Italy 1, a small and intimate restaurant

Italy on the Bay (03) 9596 5477, 356-360 Bay St, Brighton - A cosy and warm space with the window over looking the street set with stools, and outside seating as well.

Jacques Reymond 9525 2178, , 78 Williams Rd, Prahran - This is big night out dining and priced to match. The establishment is imposing, the setting fine, the service excellent and the wine list comprehensive.

Journal Canteen 9650 4399, Shop 1 Level 1, 253 Flinders la, Melbourne - The new venture by Con Christopoulos (Degraves, European, Supper Club) is a smart modern cafe decorated as a reading room.

Ladro Prahran 9510 2233, 162-162A Greville St, Prahran

La Piazza Allegra (03) 9533 0786, , NULL, 572-574 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick

Lezzet Modern Turkish Cuisine (03) 9531 7733, , 81 Brighton Rd, Elwood - A bright cheerful Turkish cafe turning out pizzas, kebabs dips and all the other things that make this such an attractive cuisine.

Lill's Backroom Bistro (03) 9531 4331, Elwood Rsl, 2 Pine Ave (Cnr Ormond Rd), Elwood

Lime Cafe 9205 9954, , Mecure Hotel, 13 Spring St, Melbourne

Lime Cafe Bar Restaurant 9924 8160, , 562 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne

Lobby Restaurant Citigate 9654 6888, , 270 Flinders St, Melbourne

Locanda Cucina (03) 9662 0511, , NULL, 186 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

Lucattini (03) 9662 2883, , NULL, 22 Punch Lane, Melbourne

Luce Rossa (03) 9663 3437, Level 1, Oddfellows Hotel, 33-35 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Lucia's Place (03) 9642 0943, 433 Little Collins St, Melbourne

Melbourne Wine Room (03) 9525 5599, The George Hotel, 125 Fitzroy St, St Kilda - The Wine Room is the old public bar of the George Hotel the adjacent dining room. The food is Italian and is well done.

The Mess Hall 9654 6800, 51 Bourke St, Melbourne

Mezzo Bar and Grill 9650 0988, , 35 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Middle Park Hotel 9690 1958, 102 Canterbury Rd, Middle Park

The Mint Bar And Bistro (03) 9602 5622, , 318 William St cnr Latrobe St, Melbourne

Monroes (03) 9534 5472, , NULL, 79-81 Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda

Montecristo 9078 7761, , 1/29 Fitzroy st, St Kilda

Mt Erica 9529 5770, , 420 High Street, Prahran

Negroni's Bar & Grill (03) 9614 1319, , NULL, 477 Collins Street, Melbourne

Niche Cafe (03) 9250 2222, , Bayview Eden, 6 Queens Road, Melbourne

Nick's Bar (03) 9670 4506, 207-211 Queen St, Melbourne - Nick's is not new. It's an old-style trattoria with traditional Italian food served by friendly staff.

One Fitzroy Street (03) 9593 8800, 1 Fitzroy St, St Kilda - The large room follows Fitzroy St around the corner and overlooks the yachts at St Kilda Marina. Food in the modern manner - mains around $32.

One Fitzroy Street Bistro (03) 9593 8800, 1 Fitzroy St, St Kilda - A basic bistro at street level below the One Fitzroy St restaurant. Good wine list

Ortigia 9670 0774, Shop 1, 443 Little Collins St, Melbourne - Mostly take-away this very popular pizza lunch spot at the legal end of town

Pellegrini's 9662 1885, 66 Bourke St, Melbourne - This classic Italian espresso bar is a joy and a treasure. Unchanged in decades and still serving large, honest dishes.

Piadina 9662 2277, rear, 57 Lonsdale St (Behind Bluebag), Melbourne

Pitchfork Restaurant (03) 9528 5788, , NULL, 476 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick

Pizza E Birra 9537 3465, , 60a Fitzroy St, St Kilda

Pizza Napoli (03) 9654 7127, , NULL, 122 Russell Street, Melbourne

Pizze Vini Spuntini 9077 8815, , Shop 3, 1-3 Carre St, Elsternwick - The room is dominated by three, larger than life, Italian waiters. Proper, simple food, lots of fun and good value.

Prahran Hotel (03) 9529 8577, , 82 High St, Prahran

Punch Lane Wine Bar 9639 4944, 43 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - Classy bar with an excellent wine list and a great selection of Australian and international cheeses.

RAB Bar and Restaurant 9611 4567, , NULL, 33 Spencer Street, Melbourne

Ragazzi (03) 9686 6777, 165 Mills St, Middle Park - The boys have fun tossing pasta, pounding out dough and shovelling pizzas into the wood-oven.

Railway Cafe And Bar Middle Brighton (03) 9610 6260, Platform 1, Middle Brighton Station, Brighton

Riva St Kilda 9537 2224, St Kilda Marina, Marine Pde, Elwood - Great views of the bay over the St Kilda Marina, this modern cafe is a splendid place for a leisurely summer meal

Royal Melbourne Hotel (03) 9629 2400, , NULL, 629 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Sails Brasserie (03) 9243 9805, , NULL, 52 Queens Road, Melbourne

Salto (03) 9629 1500, , 530 Little Collins St, Melbourne

Sapore (03) 9534 9666, , 3-5 Fitzroy St, St Kilda

Sarti 9639 7833, , 6 Russell Pl, Melbourne - A lovely rooftop space with courtyard serving simple but well executed dishes. There's also a cheaper bar menu.

Scugnizzo 9670 5622, , 558 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Sicilian Orange 9510 1051, , 115 Greville St, Prahran

Slow Down!@Harley Court 8534 3030, 56 Acland St, St Kilda

Society (03) 9639 2544, , 23 Bourke St, Melbourne

Sofi's (03) 9653 7744, Hotel Sofitel, Reception Lvl, 25 Collins St, Melbourne

Solarino 9663 2636, , Shop 7, 273 Little Collins St (Up Howey Pl), Melbourne

Sotto e Sopra (03) 9602 2285, , NULL, 353 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Soupanatural (03) 8604 5097, 32 Hardware St, Melbourne

Sous Sol (03) 9642 1733, 25 Bank Pl, Melbourne

Spudbar (03) 9534 8888, 43 Blessington St, St Kilda

St Kilda Snack Bar 9525 3326, 167A Fitzroy St, St Kilda

Stokehouse Downtairs (03) 9525 5445, 30 jacka Blv, St Kilda - This really is a lovely room - dark but with great windows onto the beach with an open fire and lounges at one end for the winter.

Sud Food & Wine Bar 9670 8451, , 219 King St, Melbourne - Tablecloths and a quality setting give this deep room, with its banquette seating, a sense of formality.

Suger (03) 8530 8888, The Marque Hotel, 35 Fitzroy St, St Kilda

Syracuse 9670 1777, 23 Bank Pl, Melbourne - This is a wine 'lounge' with good food. The room is beautiful, high ceilings, Greek columns and an eclectic mix of Victorian furniture and marble. The focus is on the enormous wine list.

Tazio Birraria And Pizzeria (03) 9654 9119, 66 Flinders La, Melbourne

Terrace Bar & Bistro 9098 1755, , The Cullen, 160-164 Commercial Road, Prahran

Terra Rossa (03) 9650 0900, , NULL, 87 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

The Establishment (03) 9670 6380, 192 King St, Melbourne

The Green Light 9534 1333, , Shop 3, 240 Carlisle St, Balaclava

The Orchard 9822 2077, , 24 Beatty Ave, Armadale

The Palate 9521 5540, , NULL, 132 Greville Street, Prahran

The Street Cafe 9525 4655, , NULL, 23 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

Three Degrees Bar Brewery Brasserie (03) 9639 6766, QV Square, Swanston St cnr Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Treasury Restaurant (03) 9211 6699, 394 Collins St, Melbourne - The Treasury, is situated on one side of a large open space that used to be the lobby. It's open for breakfast & dinner daily, lunch Mon-Fri.

Treviso (03) 9670 8833, 4 Bank Pl, Melbourne

Two Doors Down 9525 3383, , 159 Fitzroy St, St Kilda

Vineyard (03) 9534 1942, 71A Acland St, St Kilda - The Vineyard is a food and drink joint by day and a dance and drink spot by night. Popular amongst all who frequent St Kilda

Vivace 9596 9511, , 317 Bay St, Brighton

Vue De Monde 9691 3888, Normanby Chambers, 430 Little Collins St, Melbourne - Professionally trained chef, Shannon Bennett and his young team serve up French food, in the finest tradition.

Wheat (03) 9642 0288, 534 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Za'Ba Cafe (03) 9534 9229, 92b Acland St, St Kilda

Zartowa (03) 9525 6937, 114 Ormond Rd, Elwood - It's particularly well positioned, with a large space outside cribbed from the road which is ideal for 'parking' the dalmation.