Trendy restaurants, bars, shops?

My partner and I will be visiting Melbourne August 24-27. I have a few questions...

We%26#39;re in our late 20%26#39;s, staying at the Crowne Plaza. For the most part, we want to just relax at the beach and pool and enjoy the Spa inside the Crowne.

In the event we want to venture out a bit...what%26#39;s a nice, trendy area with shops and restaurants?

Any thoughts on places for lunch, dinner, and brunch?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Trendy restaurants, bars, shops?

Downtown Melbourne right over the 92 causeway has some very trendy places to wander into. Take a stroll, talk to the locals and they will point you in the right direction depending on what you feel like eating.

For great fish go to the Island Grille on 92, you will see it directly on your left side when you make the right turn off of A1A onto 92.

My absolute favorite local spot for a quick lunch, easy dinner is the Green Turtle. It is on your left side right past the Winn Dixie shopping center on Eau Gallee. They make great wraps and sandwhiches + they have stuff you can take out and heat up in your microwave which will be in your hotel room. If you like beer before you order go into the wine dept. There will be a local beer tapped and you can enjoy a complimentary cold one while you wander around. They have a great wine selection too. I%26#39;m usually in a hurry and have not taken advantage of their restaurant but it too would be a good deal. The staff is exceptional and the place is just GREAT.

If you are work out types definitely go over to the South Beach Gym in the corner of the Winn Dixie shopping center. They will give you both a free one week pass if you ask to try their facility. The weekly rate is very cheap too, like $28 pp and it%26#39;s very clean and the people are very nice.

For Groceries I prefer the Publix to Winn Dixie. Keep going on Eau Gallee from the hotel for about 3/4 mile and you will see it on your right side. The food just seems fresher there.

I love Indialantic. I go often for business so I know the area fairly well. I rotate between the Crowne Plaza and the Double Tree. Word of advice if you want naps and peace and quiet do not get a pool side room, the bands and music vibrate off of the walls. You are young and might not care but if you do be forewarned. The Crowne is more upscale than the Doubletree so it%26#39;s a good vacation spot. Have a great time. Terry

Trendy restaurants, bars, shops?

Among the downtown places mentioned in the other post I would recomend Austin%26#39;s for a California bistro, with live jazz on the weekends. Moonstruck is a trendy wine bar. If you%26#39;re into not trendy but fun and good food go to Meg O%26#39;Malley%26#39;s. I never was a fan of Irish food, until I went there. Best: Irish stew, ribs and a seafood crabcake. Stay away from Bela%26#39;s, overpriced, mediocore Italian.

For lunch beachside I would recommend Long Dogger%26#39;s, a mile or so south of the Crowne Plaza. It%26#39;s a beer and picnic table kind of place but with a few unexpected delicacies, a wonderful seared tuna appeitizer and an overfilled lobster roll.

If you%26#39;re into a latin flavored dance club, City Bistro, on 192 about a mile on your left after you turn east off of A!A, is hot and young after 11 on the weekends.

Have fun. Wish the weather was going to be better for you this weekend.