HOT: Lucky Country, Palace Como, 299 Toorak Rd, South Yarra

The theatrical distribution company Footprint Films is only releasing four Australian films this year: Samson and Delilah; My Year Without Sex; Lucky Country and Balibo (yet to be released and opening the Melbourne International Film Festival 2009).

The first three films couldn't be any different in location, tone and characterisation - yet a consistent theme is that they all speak to what it means to be Australian. For me the contrast is most distinctive between Samson and Delilah and Lucky Country, as they are both films where the harsh Australian landscape is a feature. In Samson and Delilah, the film is surrounded by the searing sunburnt tones of the Northern Territory, whereas in Lucky Country, the bush is all greys, dull greens and damp shadows. Both films also examine characters who are displaced from their roots, but sadly in Samson and Delilah it is about the indigenous population who are no longer connected to their own land.

The writer Andy Cox introduced the screening of Lucky Country by explaining that he wanted to use the harsh yet beautiful landscape to highlight the tenuous relationship that non-indigenous Australians have with the land, as part of a greater theme of hope and idealism vs reality and pragmatism. His inspiration came from a timber settler's cabin that he came across on a family holiday, which led him to muse on the constant reaffirmation that Australians make on what it means to be Australian, in contrast to his home country England, where there is no such discussion. In his research, he realised that the debates that were being held at Federation are the same debates that are still being aired today, and so he decided to set his script in 1902 in the newly federated country.

The film centres on a religious and zealous school teacher from London and his two young children, who come to Australia and try to eke a living from the bush. Even though they don't know how to farm and their existence is harsh in the unfamiliar environment, they do not give up because the father fervantly believes that God will provide. One day three strangers seek shelter with them and what happens as a result of this encounter is unexpected and gruesome. Throughout the film there is a sense of dread and suspense as you watch the family disintegrate, trapped by hope, until they fall in a chilling conclusion.

HOT: Ganache Chocolate Lounge, 250 Toorak Rd, South Yarra 3141

The master chocolatier from Koko Black has defected to South Yarra to open his own chocolate store and cafe, Ganache Chocolate Lounge. The cafe tables and leather sofa make a cosy retreat from the South Yarra shopping strips and the selection of handmade chocolates and gelatos are a nice alternative to a restaurant dessert.

RM and I both liked their strawberry and chocolate chip gelato, dusted with chocolate flakes ($3.50). We also took home a bar of distinctively creamy dark chocolate with almonds ($6.90), which we devoured over more episodes of Mad Men.

HOT: Cosi Bar Ristorante, 68 Toorak Rd, South Yarra 3141

Cosi's gone upmarket since I was last there, regularly devouring their fabulous pancakes for breakfast. The light-filled restaurant still has the lovely courtyard area, but the tables are now covered by white linen tableclothes and the food is much more formal.

That's not necessarily a criticism, it's just not what we were expecting for a lunch over the Sunday papers. Linen tableclothes seem to dictate a ban on reading matter at the table and an effort at proper conversation.

So, to the food. RM's duck ravioli ($27.50) was delicious, with the pasta at a proper al dente texture. Unfortunately, neither he or I were fans of the oily sauce, but only because we should have known better than to order a dish with brown butter and not because it was badly executed. My pork belly ($36) was definitely on the dry side, but I liked it in combination with the creamy roast apple and the fresh tang of the finely julienned carrots, fennel and green apple.

Combined with their gracious laughter when I broke the pepper grinder, and the Entertainment Card discount, a lovely meal.

HOT: Tulpan, Cinema Como, 299 Toorak Rd, South Yarra 3141

I made a pretty easy bet with RM that a film set in Kazakhstan would involve two things - steppes and camels. In the first second of Tulpan, both of these appeared to set the scene for the domestic drama of the young man Asa, his sister, her stern husband and brood of adorable children, his friend Boni and Tulpan.

Tulplan is the name of the faceless young girl who Asa wants to, and needs to, marry so that he can have his own flock of sheep and build his home on the steppe. When she refuses to marry him, supposedly because of his big ears, she comes to represent all of his unattainable dreams of a happy and prosperous shepherd's life, with a wife and children waiting for him at his yurt. The story moves at a leisurely pace, following the shepherd's day to day existence framed by the unending horizon of the dusty steppe, the onimous stormy skies, the wild, twisting sandstorms and the simple, infinite cycle of life and death. It's a beautiful piece of work.

HOT: Aesop Facial Treatment , 153 Toorak Rd, South Yarra 3141

During my teen years, I was lucky enough to display smug, blemish-free skin while everyone else at school was bulk-buying Clearasil. My luck changed though when I hit my last stressful year of school and for years later I was stuck in a quagmire of testing, searching and discarding skincare products - until I was Saved By Aesop *light shines from the heavens*.

To be more specific, I was saved by Maria, who works at the Aesop South Yarra store. Maria is the queen bee of Aesop's facialists, having been lured out of retirement by the founder of Aesop to develop a series of facials for his products, and who also trains every Aesop therapist. There are only two people in the world I trust with my skin now - Maria and Ingrid (ex-Aesop therapist at Liberty in London).

The whole Aesop facial experience is calmly luxurious. When you enter, you are handed a light sarong and then given a choice to shower before the facial. You then lie back on the super-comfortable bed, snuggle up with a duvet and a cashmere throw, and let Maria do her magic. Basically, I trust her to do whatever she wants with my skin - she not only uses Aesop products, but will incorporate fresh 'botanical booster' ingredients, while at all times giving a sure and steady massage. This time she decided to give my ravaged skin an antioxidant Vitamin C boost. Not cheap for $150 but a lovely treat.