WHERE DO YOU ...

Get some culture? Carla: For me, Degraves Street is the most beautiful laneway in any metropolitan city. I love to take friends and family from out of town. Grabbing a coffee, listening to the buskers and watching the world go by: bliss.

Go to relax? Thomas: I love to go for a late afternoon jog down to Studley Park Boathouse (1 Boathouse Road, Kew), lie under a tree and take in the surroundings.

Indulge yourself? Thomas: I like Koko Black (167 Lygon Street, Carlton, call 9349 2775). After a meal I enjoy nothing more than a chocolate grazing platter from this place, accompanied by an iced drink.

Unleash your inner child? Carla: A market always reminds me of being a child (and being forced to hold my mother’s hand), so the Suzuki Night Market at Queen Victorian Market (corner of Victoria and Elizabeth streets, city) is a great way to spend a summer evening and indulge in a three-course meal from across the globe.

Spend your last $10? Carla: Sunday arvos or hump day usually sees me hitting up one of my favourite Vietnamese haunts for a steamy pho. I can’t go past Saigon Pho (73 Nicholson Street, Footscray). The staff are friendly, service is quick and I can be left to my own means to read a book and splatter my pho everywhere.

Take someone you want to impress? Carla: My boyfriend is Mexican and he’s working in New Zealand. When he comes over, I plan to drive to the Peninsula Hot Springs (Springs Lane, Rye, call 5950 8777), and indulge in one of their packages, then drop by one of the beautiful wineries the Mornington Peninsula has to offer.

Buy something new? Thomas: The Oxfam shop (shop 311A, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone). This place reminds me of overseas adventures, but more importantly, I admire the Fair Trade concept.

Go on your own? Thomas: I go to Rue Bebelons (267 Little Lonsdale Street, city, call 9452 0070) for some people-watching over a good coffee and a copy of the local paper. Brilliant.

Want to keep a secret? Carla: The ricotta cannoli from T. Cavallaro & Sons (98 Hopkins Street, Footscray, call 9687 4638) is quite possibly the best cannoli in the world.

Stay up late? Thomas: Little Creatures Dining Hall (222 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, call 9417 5500). I followed this brewery all the way from Fremantle. A good cold pilsner and a great group of mates = simple pleasure!

Thomas and Carla host their My Kitchen Rules dinner party from 7.30pm on February 7 on Seven.