Ovest: 572 Barkly Street West Footscray

Ovest is my local pizzeria, within walking distance of my house. When I first moved here I thought I had died and gone to foodie heaven. The pizza was perfect, the atmosphere lively and they offer a range of yummy high quality spirits and craft beers. 

Nine months later, the top notch drinks menu remains but the food quality has slipped. The toppings have become miserly and the flavours lacklustre. I don't know if they have a new chef or they just can't cope with the volume but I have voted with my feet and moved on to L'Uccellino in Yarraville.

Downgraded from three to one stars. Sadly no longer worthy of the good food guide.   

Dikstein's Corner Bar: 433 Little Collins Street Melbourne

This bar feels like a home away from home. There is something I really like about it. It has that cosy, cluttered feel. The shelves are full of old wine bottles and cigar boxes and other little kitschy things.

The food is hearty and homely - pizza, pasta, goulash, stew and pasties. The pizza seems to be the star, there was one on every table. The dough is freshly made on the premises, not store bought and has the perfect texture. Along with the perfect size, single serve presented on a bread board.

I chose the salami pizza with pickled peppers. Mmm salami and pickled peppers. It was so good. Senor Gringo had the bococcini and pesto pizza. Apparently very flavoursome but a little on the oily side - really what would you expect with pesto and cheese??

I'm going back. Next time it will be after work and I'll have one of their many whiskeys to accompany my pizza. Check the facebook page, they have deals pretty regularly and not just on cocktails.

Two ticks