The Crombie Pizza at Portello Rosso

Portello Rosso is like a caricature of a Melbourne restaurant. It's down a gloomy cobblestone lane way off Little Bourke Street. Once you enter it's all warm timber, leather, open kitchen, wines and general Med-Iberian vibe. It's actually a pizza and ham bar and it's quite nice on a rainy day.

Lots of small tapas options and a range of pizza. I had the Crombie which was a good sized smoked bacon, potato, cheese, rosemary, Spanish onion on a tomato base and a proper thin crust. Yum.

$15. Good wine list as well if that's your thing.

15 Warbuton lane.

Spaghetti at Journal Canteen

Lunch at Journal Canteen with B and T. Entree sized spaghetti putanesca (B loves 'working girls') was sizeable, more than enough for lunch and good value at $15. With free stovetop espresso you are away for $15 in one of 3000's best Italians.

253 Flinders Lane.