MENTAL well-being is not just about depression. It’s about finding joy in life and reasons to smile.

We all have times when that seems harder than it should, so The Border Mail has tried to make it a little bit easier for you.

Short-lived highs like expensive holidays, big nights out or shopping sprees won’t get a mention here — those quick-fixes can cause as much harm as good.

This is all about simple, everyday pleasures.

And just being happy.

NOELLE QUINN: Eating, living, working, dreaming

MATTHEW VOGEL: Nostalgic treats are all naughty, also nice.

This is by no means a comprehensive dining list nor did we want to give you  one.

Half the joy is finding your own culinary favourites and sharing them with loved ones (or keeping them a secret).

We're lucky enough to live in one of the best dining regions in Australia, so get out there and eat it all up!

ROMANCE

Border Wine Room

It starts with an easy-to-miss doorway that opens to nothing but a wooden staircase.

At the top of those stairs is a candlelit restaurant with a fire burning in winter or large windows opening above Dean Street.

This place would be romantic even without its delicious food and enormous wine list.

La Maison

Candles. A fire...

You might notice a theme with these date recommendations but when it comes to romance, atmosphere is everything.

And La Maison has it in spades, especially on Thursday nights when their unique Lebanese fare is matched with live jazz.

CATCH-UP WITH FRIENDS

Lounge Tapas Bar and Restaurant

Tapas is so hot right now and Lounge  Tapas Bar and Restaurant does it very well. Especially nice if you can get a table near the retractable front windows on a balmy evening.

Q Manhattans

Like the Lounge, Q Manhattans has a great selection of tapas but what really set this place apart is its chairs.

We're serious. Chesterfield lounge suites.

Throw in some chilled piano and silent black and white movies on the walls and you've got the perfect setting for some sophisticated banter.

Taco Bills

There's something inherently festive about Mexican food, which makes Taco Bills (found in various locations) always a popular place for celebrations.

Comes with a decorative Mexican hat on your birthday. Enough said.

SPECIAL OCCASION

Provenance

Four words: Chef. Of. The. Year.

Michael Ryan won that highly coveted gong ahead every other chef in Victoria in the August's Age Good Food Guide awards.

It's also won the Regional Restaurant of the Year award.

So now you know it's good, but what to order? Treat yourself to a degustation. Unforgettable.

FAMILY

Hollywoods Pizza

A great casual, laid-back atmosphere with very serious food at family-friendly prices.

Best enjoyed outside, surrounded by the vines on a warm evening.

Soden's

They say a way to a man's heart is food.

Well, the way to really enjoy that food is to leave the kids in a play area, and this renovated pub has one of the best.

PUB GRUB

Star Bar

Let's cut to the chase: The parmigiana is excellent. And while the kitchen does  some great meals, there's also a bar menu if all you're after is a fuss-free feed with the footy.

Stanley Pub

This doesn't really belong here.

On the one hand, yes, it's a pub. On the other, there's nothing basic about what this picturesque local dishes up.

A diverse and adventurous menu that does hearty really well - especially by the fire in winter.