HOT: Corner Store Cafe, 100 Scotchmer Rd, Fitzroy North

The gaudy plastic strips hanging over the door, mismatched formica tables and the stream of regulars trailing kids and dogs really do make the Corner Store Cafe feel like the low-fi neighbourhood hangout. Our large lunch plate ($13.50) contained one of the day’s specials (our choice was the large red capsicum stuffed with risotto) served with salad and an unfortunately oily potato dauphinois. Sitting on the miniature pavement table, listening to the local patter and soaking in the sunshine – a perfect way to spend a Friday afternoon.

HOT: Loafer Bread, 146 Scotchmer St, Fitzroy North

If you’re going to visit two bakeries in the same area, then it’s only right that you should conduct a comparison visit of the third bakery.

Cheerful Loafer Bread seemed to specialise more in cakes, pastries and pies than bread, and their window display of delectable pastries convinced me to try a walnut scroll ($3.50). Absolutely delicious – the right amount of nuts, not too sweet and reminiscent of the orgasmic pastries from Baker and Spice in London.

HOT: Dench Bakers, 109 Scotchmer St, Fitzroy North

Midday at Dench Bakers, and their fruit loaf was already sold out! Undeterred, I decided to taste-test one of the fruit buns instead and it was the kind of sticky-glazed bun pressed with buttons of fruit that I’d imagine featuring in an Enid Blyton book. Personally I thought it was nice but not particularly memorable.

Too much bread doesn’t usually make my tummy very happy, and as I’d also read that their spelt bread ($6.70) was worth a try, I took home a loaf to have later. It was a little bit too sour for my taste, and no tilsit cheese, pea and ham soup or praline spread could hide it.