Come in and take a seat: customers return for in-store dining

AS The Shared Table’s chef, Dianne Ray reopened her restaurant last week, she had a quiet first couple of days.

But as Saturday rolled around and residents headed to enjoy their first weekend dinner out in three months, her Buninyong venue received a “lovely response.”

“Saturday night, we were booked out at 20 for our first sitting, and eight in for the next sitting… with a big clean-down in between,” she said.

“We had quite a few wonderful locals, regular faces that have been with us since we first opened our doors in November last year. We have a beautiful space. Everyone seemed to embrace it and be happy.

“My staff were mindful of serving people and making them feel comfortable. But I want to take care of my staff too, so those that did the first sitting didn’t do the second sitting, so they’re only exposed to a certain amount of people.”

In the centre of town on Armstrong Street, The Forge Pizzeria’s Tim Matthews said his space’s “good vibe” returned, too.

“We were able to have 20 in Housey Housey and 20 in The Forge restaurant. Our staff want to be serving, our customers want to be in there, and it was good to just make it all happen for the first time in ages,” he said.

“We’ve missed everyone out enjoying themselves together.

There’s a few challenges, but heading in a direction near to what the team is used to was a positive step from Mr Matthews’ perspective.

“There are a few guidelines to work with, but overall, we’d much rather be open as we are, than stuck at home in COVID-19 restrictions.

“Everyone’s really patient. It’s good to have the customers working together, understanding and respecting the restrictions,” he said.

Sam Anstis, manager of Drummond street café, Johnny Alloo could also accommodate 40 people, split between inside and outside space.

Saturday traffic was constant, but respectful, and always at capacity with a waitlist.

“It’s been a big mental effort to remind ourselves where we were at, but the transition has been a period to reflect and implement changes,” Mr Anstis said.

“We’ve branched into casual dining on Thursday to Saturday nights, with a modern Italian menu, and it’s started well. We’ve brought on some more regulars and we’re in a better position for it.

“That sense of community is back, more so than before.”

The Turret café owner, Carmel West was exhausted but happy after a busy and “wonderful” long weekend, able to accommodate 20 patrons inside, and 20 outside, at once.

“We had lots of bookings from regulars. We had to turn a few people away, but they’ll be back next weekend,” she said.

“It’s time consuming and challenging to sanitise everything, document every name and phone number, but worthwhile. There were no negative comments.”

Carboni’s chef, Dona Pietrantuono didn’t know what to expect, only able to put out 38 of 120 chairs, with 20 patrons allowed in his main dining area and 18 in a separate spot.

But he said custom was positive, hosting close to 80 customers in the space on Friday and Saturday evenings, with two sittings on the weekend.

“The majority were our regulars that couldn’t wait to come back. There’s been lots of comments about happy faces. It has been fulfilling, really, to feel the community back in the restaurant,” he said.

“Given the long weekend, we had a few new faces, probably from Melbourne. It wasn’t bad at all, considering the situation, and takeaway maintained as much as the last 10 weeks.”

Mr Pietrantuono shared his appreciation for the hospitality industry in Ballarat and their work over the last few months.

“They’ve been pivoting and trying to do different things in this situation, giving service to the community which probably wasn’t available 10 weeks ago, so I might sound crazy, but thanks to COVID,” he said.