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Little Zephyr (563 Nicholson St, North Carlton) seems to have attracted very little in the way of online reviews. In one way it’s surprising, because with its tastefully designed interior, well cooked food and reasonably prices it’s reminscent of the very popular Commoner. On the other hand, the location, in a quiet stretch of Nicholson street, and an exterior that blends in to surrounding buildings, perhaps it shouldn’t surprise.

The menu is short, with just 8 tapas, 3 mains and 4 pizzas, but despite this, there should be something to tempt most people. There’s a pollo parmigiana, which seemed a little bit out of place on the menu, but with tasty crumbing and a good salad with what seemed to be house made semi-dried tomatoes, it’s a cut above the average parma. The hand rolled gnocchi with three mushroom (varieties) and sage butter could have done with a bit more seasoning and saucing, but otherwise was good.

Equally brief is the wine list, with just a handful of reds and whites, none more than $9/$39 by the glass and bottle respectively.

If there is a weakness, it’s probably the service, which was a little too anxious during our visit. With the bright, airy space, I’m also a little surprised it doesn’t open for breakfast on weekends.

For a time, Pizza Meine Leibe (231 High St, Northcote) was my favourite pizza place and home to my favourite pizza, the Pizza 4 Cate. Then the standards slipped, I had a couple of disappointing experiences, and didn’t return for a year or so. I’ve been back a couple of times recently, and I’m happy to say that its returned to its best. Both times I’ve had the Pizza 4 Cate, which is topped with the delicious tomato sauce, mozzarella, prawns, sundried tomatoes and chilli. The one I had on my first return visit was incredible, the second only slightly less so, thanks to tails left on the prawns.

Pizza Meine Leibe is just as popular as ever, so much so that they’re now serving pizza in the bar next door, Joe’s Shoe Store.