Waffle On

This place is a little cheap eatery outside Flinders st station. I went there on a really hot day for ice cream and of course waffles.

It was 4pm by the time I arrived. Here it was not really busy but the service was really quick and the guy serving me was really lovely. You can see them making the waffles.
Their baguettes are $10 a piece and the waffles are priced anywhere between $4.50 and $7. I got the Canadian waffle for $6.50. Here it includes a scoop of ice cream on a freshly made waffle. These are nothing like the ones from Max brenners in the city. These ones are moist and doughy. Heavenly for a cheap price!
They also have some take home waffles 5 for $15. Next time I will come and try the baguettes.

Meshiya

Meshiya is a nice little Japanese restaurant serving authentic Japanese food and drinks.

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, why have you become so expensive but have not increased your portion sizes? You used to be really cheap, but now you are really expensive.
When I brought people over they were really happy about the price. Even though we loved the quality of the food, I'm afraid I won't make too many visits.

Last time I went was about a year ago and prices were reasonable.
Today I brought a couple of people over and whilst they were wowed by the food, they weren't by the prices. I had the Chirashi don ($18 or $19 I can't remember, last time it was $16) as usual and as usual it was really good with the fish being fresh.
We all shared a gyoza plate ($7.00). I have to admit, these weren't the best gyoza I had. In fact these were a little too soggy and fell apart.
The others had a mini chirashi ($14 for such a small plate) and eel sushi. I didn't get to try the eel sushi but I think they really enjoyed this.
I don't whether it was me that caught you on a bad day or what but I might just ask Big Fil from eat and be merry to try this place out and see what he thinks of it.

Eat at Simply Spanish

Simply Spanish is a place recommended by the Age Cheap eats. Whilst I walked past it a few times, I was keen to try the place. The smell of paella cooking outside is AMAZING!!! But it was always too crowded and a little expensive.
But when I heard that it was $12.50 a plate, I'd figured that I'd go try.

So I went and the place was really lively. Couldn't quite understand all the hype because the seafood in my $12.50 paella did not live up to my expectations. The calamari was a bit tough and the mussels weren't cooked right through; the shells were closed. I loved the rice and the flavourings... they were really good. But there was a little too much flavourings and too little chorizo in it. What I would love to see was a little more chorizo. They forgot to cut off some of the fat and the grizzle off the chicken, but the chicken was cooked all the way through like it should be.
Paella is a Spanish dish cooked outside and it involves Spanish rice, flavourings, seafood, chicken, beef etc. And it involves mussels and calamari.
I also had the bread and oil, which I thought it was for free, but it wasn't. IT WAS $2.50 WHICH THE WAITRESS SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME!!!!

Hardware Societe

I had a quick coffee at the Hardware Societe. I saw that it was ranked number 1 in Urbanspoon and it did not disappoint. A lot of bloggers have raved about this place for some time now, but this place is not close to work so did not go there up until now.

Here they sell lots of products including freshly baked bread by Noisette. Breakfasts here are about $11-$15. Service was friendly and friends have recommended this place to me. I sat at a communal table.
The coffee ($3.50) did not disappoint me. The beans are from PADRE and it was neither bitter nor sweet. But I did love the pastry ($4) by Noisette. Soft  and yummy.
Now I can see why the crowds of people love to come. Although this place is expensive it is worth a try. I didn't get to try out the eggs though because they were expensive and I already had breakfast at home. There is a gluten free option but that is an additional $1.

Eat at Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana

Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana is one place that is hidden in a laneway. This a good thing because I love dining in laneways especially at night. The atmosphere is beautiful.

I love love love the coffee that I had today which was a $2.50 espresso. And this was quite strong and fruity. They use the Italian coffee beans to make this perfect espresso. Where can you buy a $2.50 espresso that is perfect in Melbourne? Virtually nowhere but here so far. If you have any other places feel free to recommend them in the comments section.

I also bought a perfect $5.50 tiramisu, which was lovely. This by far has to be the most perfect tiramisu and at such a good price. The coffee was just right and it was just divine. Yum. Omomomom!!!!!

The service there wasn't all that friendly but the food made up for it.

I think Eat and be merry would love to visit as this is their type of cheap eats. I'd return with Big Fil.

Real for you- is it really

Real for you is a organic coffee shop serving Seven seeds coffee. They mainly cater for students and staff at Endevour College but anyone is welcome to visit. It wasn't busy when I arrived this morning, but the guy said that it normally does get busy and yesterday was no exception.
My colleagues have been getting their coffee fix from there and they said that it was good, so I was motivated to try the place.
It's just a simple organic coffee shop with friendly staff willing to serve you. But there is not much pram room or seats, so most people buy takeaway coffees or lunch.

They sell heaps of organic goodies such as chocolate here, but I wasn't keen on buying the chocolate. Rather I wanted to try their $2.50 coffees and boy I was satisfied with their coffees! It was strong and very winey. It also a little bitter, but I did not mind in the least.
Their cookie ($2.40) was really good, but it was a bit small for the price. But still, organic goodness comes at an expensive price. I love organic food.