HOT: Brunetti, 194 - 204 Faraday Street, Carlton 3053

The original Carlton Brunetti is bustling at all times of the day - it seems that Melbournians just can't get enough of their coffee, cakes, breads....and for me, the Italian hot chocolate ($4.40). The properly bitter and thick hot chocolate simply does not compare to the insipid powdered mudwater that is trotted out at a lot of cafes (including once, to my horror, a ragged Cadbury sachet was used). It's still not quite thick enough for my liking, as I like to be able to eat my hot chocolate with a spoon, but it did nicely soothe my cough-stricken throat.

Update 27 April 2009: Pitstop lunch for $8.50, a nicely toasted baguette with salami, rocket, cheese and artichokes.