I’ve taken a couple of weeks off from writing these posts as I have barely ventured anywhere new. The temptation to return to the most satisfying places I’ve previously enjoyed has been too strong: Duke’s, Yellow Bird, Tyranny of Distance, Windsor Deli, Hanoi Hannah, Hearty Hungarian and La Cafe.

You can see why I’d want to return there in particular: this is the falafel platter at La Cafe, which includes falafel (obvs), tomato and cucumber salad, sauerkraut and chips, as well as pita and tahini dipping sauce. An epic vegetarian meal to keep you going going all day and not mind cycling into the bitter ocean wind blowing along Chapel St.

But here now are some new lunches. Monk Bodhi Dharma. Uber hipster, zero street frontage (it’s behind a row of shops on Carlisle St), charming if somewhat spaced out service, lots of spontaneous cooperation from customers in rearranging themselves around the main communal table to accommodate new arrivals. Vegetable tagine. Amazing coffee. Best on Carlisle St?

Finally, volcano beef ramen at Haruaki on Chapel St Windsor. Average food, but the interior looks tired and there’s no atmosphere. I don’t think I will return.

I should also mention some of the places I’ve been that I haven’t photographed, but which are good enough to recommend: good coffee and chicken schnitzel pide at Harper’s Kitchen on Inkerman St (St Kilda), delicious spicy grilled chicken and cous cous at Capri cafe on Wellington St (St Kilda), a reasonable sandwich and coffee at Cross cafe, also on Wellington St, and a toasted foccaccia and coffee at cafe Bruce on Carlisle St (Balaclava).