Belinda's Foodstore

Ph: (03) 9820 8488; Shop 5, 101 Toorak Rd, SOUTH YARRA 3141

Australian Modern, $
Open Mon-Fri 7.30am-4pm, Sat 8am-3pm, Closed Sun, pub hols; Unlicensed; No cards, Seats inside 24, Outside seats 16, Kids welcomed

Mietta's Review
Locals pop in for breakfast, lunch and take home dinner meals. In spite of being hidden away in an arcade Belinda Carver has developed a devoted clientele for her fresh, healthy food. She uses free range and organic produce and changes the menu daily. Regulars love the noodles and seasonal salads, particularly the Nicoise in summer. Brown rice salad with roasted pumpkin and steamed greens is popular all year around. Juices are freshly squeezed and the service is friendly. They make up and deliver all sorts of things but offer a particularly wide range of vegetarian dishes. There are some tables outside in the arcade.

Other published opinions

The Age Cheap Eats 2004,Good vegetarian options,Somewhere we highly recommend,'Secreted in an arcade far from the madding consumers of South Yarra,this two-room eatery uses many organic,gluten-free and low-guilt ingredients,letting the flavours do the talking.'

The Foodies' Guide 2004,Allan Campion & Michele Curtis,'Every day they fill up the huge 12-foot deli fridge and every day the locals stream in and eat it all up.From breakfast and lunch,both enjoyed in-house,to the vast array of take-home food,there's something for all tastes.Parents can opt for some bolognaise to keep the kids happy,or can instead choose the ever-popular chicken,leek and mushroom casserole,which is also made into pies.Other favourites include lamb shanks,Thai curries,soups,pesto,frittata and the bucketloads of salads on offer.On the sweet side,their cakes are delicious:banana,golden carrot,berry streusel,chocolate brownies and their specialty,gluten-free.'