Restaurants and cafes have the option of re-opening this Friday, May 15, for no more than 10 customers at a time. Reaction from those in the hospitality industry has been, understandably, mixed. For many, it's simply not an option. It makes no financial sense.
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For others, it's a step forward on the long road to recovery.
The Happy Wombat on Newcastle's Hunter Street is taking reservations for up to 10 people at any one time, starting on Friday. Sittings will be approximately 90 minutes. Bookings essential by phoning 4926 2010 or emailing reservations@thehappywombat.com. Owner Luke Tilse is looking forward to welcoming customers back on site, having recently updated the venue's interior. Takeaway sales will continue.
Another Burger Joint at Kotara will also offer a dine-in option from Friday, again limited to 10 people at a time, as will The Hood Milk Bar (book via their website thehoodmilkbar.com.au) and Hamilton's The Blind Monk (phone 4023 5290 after 4pm daily to book your seat).
Il Cacciatore Restaurant is open for in-house dining from Friday night, having drawn up an impressive three-stage comeback plan. Phone 4998 7639.
Lovedale Smokehouse Gourmet Pantry & Cafe on Majors Lane out Lovedale way will be re-opening for dine-in customers this Saturday. Sitting times are 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, with a 50-minute time allowance for each reservation. Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning 4930 7832, Thursday to Monday, 10am to 4pm.
New Slang Coffee Brewers on Newcastle's Hunter Street will be opening on Monday, May 18, just in time to celebrate one year since they opened.
"The last six weeks hasn't been easy but we've had heaps of support from our customers and friends, buying beans for home. We're really excited to open again as our first birthday is on May 21," the team told Food & Wine.
Talits Estate Vineyard on Milbrodale Road at Broke will be open for tastings, coffee and charcuterie Friday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Since social distancing regulations came into play, Talits has been offering virtual wine tour packages.
Habesha Ethiopian at The Junction, which has resorted to takeaway and delivery, will offer a dine-in banquet from Friday. For $55 per person you get a tasting plate of starters, a main platter of four different dishes and half a bottle of wine. Dinner sittings are 5pm, 6.30pm and 8pm, while lunch sittings are 11.30am and 1pm. Phone 4927 6775 to reserve your table.
Valeries Pizza Parlour, Three Bears Kitchen, Good Friends Eatery, Fernleigh Cafe, Oishii, Three Monkeys Cafe, Ka-fey cafe, The Deck Cafe, True Cafe and Babbington's Bar & Grill at Charlestown are also offering dine-in options.
Check in with your local cafe and restaurant, club or pub, to see what they are offering. They still have bills to pay.
The bright side
Banjo's Bakery Cafe at Glendale is another business that has been hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions but production manager and co-franchisee, Ed Carey, has thanked customers for their support.
"We have experienced massive support from the local community over the past few weeks, which has helped keep business steady," he told Food & Wine.
Like so many other businesses, Banjo's has had to "pivot" to survive.
"Delivery services such as Uber Eats have been a real asset to our business," Carey said.
"Our stores also offer Click & Collect, which reduces the time our customers need to be in-store. We also offer home delivery to at-risk community members and groups, like the elderly and nursing homes, and we have four local organisations who come down each afternoon to take our leftover baked goods to give to those less fortunate: these include New Heights Christian Church, Holy Cross Church Glendale and the local Salvation Army and Samaritans."
As for the 10-person rule announced late last week, Carey says it "will be huge for business".
"It means we can increase our product range again - we had reduced the range slightly to ensure we were sustainable during lockdown, but now we can start making them again. It also means we can welcome back customers, new and old, to dine with us in-store. We have missed our regulars."
Takeaway menu
Keep an eye out for businesses who have been quietly re-opening for takeaways over the past week. The Boat Shed at Soldiers Bay, One Picket Fence, Asa Don, The Cellar Restaurant, The Wickham Boatshed and The Greenhouse Eatery are just a few examples.
Keep on truckin'
Tangerine Events, the group behind the popular Feast Fest, have been granted permission to roll out food trucks at certain Lake Macquarie locations over the coming weeks.
Souvlaki on the Run will set up in front of the sailing club at Speers Point Park this week: May 14 and 15, 4pm to 7pm; and May 16 and 17, noon to 7pm. The menu will include traditional Greek souvlaki (chicken, pork, lamb or vegetarian/vegan) served with salad, chips and tzatziki and wrapped in pita bread; and chicken or pork skewers. You can order ahead on 0424 844 161 or on site (don't forget to social distance).
Other food vendors lined up to serve you over the coming weeks include Taco Locato, Southern Smoke, 16 Seeds, Coffee Alsortz and Food by Zed.
You will be able to find them at either Blacksmiths boat ramp; Speers Point Park; Belmont South's Ken Lambkin Park; Croudace Bay boat ramp; Toronto Lions Park; or Cooranbong, at the corner of Martinsville Road and Freemans Drive.
Follow the Tangerine Events Facebook page to stay up to date on who is trading and where.
Schnit Night In
Pubs across Newcastle and the Hunter are asking their communities to order an iconic chicken schnitzel for dinner on May 19 in a bid to create the Hunter's "Biggest 'Schnit Night In".
"For the past few months our local pubs have been working overtime thinking up new ways to serve customers and stay engaged with their communities," Australian Hotels Association - Newcastle Hunter president Rolly de With said.
"Takeaway, delivery and drive-through meals have provided one way for venues to operate, but make no mistake, these are unprecedented and challenging times."
Buy a schnitzel from your local on May 19, snap a pic and upload it to Instagram with the hashtag #SchnitNightIn. Go to ahanewcastlehunter.org for a list of participating pubs.