Toscano's of Kew — Local services in Melbourne

Great range of food, new deli section and overall expanded selection of everything - they even have sushi by Ocha! Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Toscano's is a Kew institution. I do think their organic fruit/veg section is a missed opportunity. Too expensive, too little selection and presented in a bare-bones ways - which is unlike the other beautifully presented food. They seem to be doing organics as an after-thought - perhaps begrudgingly?? There is no point of difference with Woolies/Leo's/Kew Organics - in fact none of them do a good job. (See better examples: Apple and Sage in Balwyn or Terra Madre in Northcote) Toscano's could shine in organics in Kew, but it would have to do something different. Also, about prices. By way of example, I bought Seven Seeds coffee beans for $16.99/250g at Toscano's but I can get the same roast for $16.00 from Seven Seeds. Will customers buy it? Yes, but I've noticed the roast dates of bags on the shelf at Toscano's are often old by Seven Seeds standards (more than 2 weeks). I bought mine when they just got it in so it was only 4-5 days old. My point: Is the extra dollar profit worth not having higher turnover and fresh boutique coffee? The whole point of stocking this kind of coffee, I would've thought. It doesn't make business sense. People who know, will buy for convenience but not have that "feel good" purchase memory afterwards. I think this will apply to other products on the shelves at Toscano's. I guess Toscano's managers make that call. But overall, Toscano's is an excellent shop and seems to be going from strength to strength. Business is tough and they are leading the way in other areas. Will keep...

Been around for generations now and still doing what they do best. Fresh fruit and vegetables (unfortunately not much/barely anything organic) which are sourced as locally as they can be, and when its just not in season i.e. pomegranate in October, then it's from the US. But everything is labelled with the pricing so you know the providence of your food and can either accept or reject it. Staff are always friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Hey - they still carry your groceries out to the car if you want them to! How good is that - like having someone at the pump to fill your car with petrol (sigh... remember when?). Quality is really good because the (generation of) owners are involved totally in this business - you'll see them on the floor unpacking produce. This is a little more than just a fruit & vegie store as there is a good deli, small selection of quality imported and local cheeses in a cheese 'section'. There is also prepackaged fish and meat and chicken. Tins of tomatoes (of course, they're Italian!), pasta, olives, olive oil, vinegars, imported sardines, eggs - there's plenty going on. Limited parking out the back but plenty in the area....

This place doesn't need another 5 star review, as it is legendary, but I must make the point that for many fruit & veg staples it is CHEAPER than the local Coles & Woolies, as well as being better quality produce. Their wines are a well curated list that is also well priced and very interesting, and so many great deli items, meats from the best butchers in Melbourne, everything from here just reeks quality and care in selection. They have sushi/sashimi from Ocha, a spectacular cheese selection, and breads from Melbourne's best bakeries. This place is truly without peer. It gets better every year - I have been delighting in their produce for over 25 years. Has to be one of Melbourne's best, which automatically ranks this place of global significance. I know this review is a bit hyperbolic, but I can't imagine life...