Taking a savvy approach to takeaway

Eateries across the region are stepping things up to deliver delicious takeaway options for hungry customers in lockdown.
Whether it is classic favourites or fun new additions, many cafes and restaurants have adapted their menus to stay afloat and cater for the takeaway market.
MoVida Lorne created excitement among local foodies by announcing it now delivers to customers living in Airey’s Inlet, Anglesea, Torquay, Jan Juc, Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale.
Its popular Menu del Dia boxes include dinner for two people for two nights – or one big feast – and feature seven different dishes which arrive ready to heat and serve.
Manager Emma Malone said Lorne locals embraced the takeaway menu during the first lock down and it made sense to alter the options to reach more customers.
“You can expect to taste MoVida favourites, as well as new seasonal dishes,” Emma said.
“Each week the menu will change to keep it interesting – just like our restaurant menu.
“Every pack also includes a whole loaf of our delicious sourdough bread, which is made from the original 15-year-old MoVida ‘mother’ yeast.”
Customers have the option to add on an aperitivo pack of Jamon Iberico (the famous Spanish ham), Spanish cheeses and anchovies or a matching wine pack to enjoy with the meal.
Orders are limited to 50 boxes per week and must be placed through the Lorne Hotel website by midday Thursday, for delivery on Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, restaurant owner Anthony Gist acted quickly to change his entire Bird Rock menu to suit takeaway and his Alisitos eatery added a family-friendly taco kit containing 10 taco shells, cabbage, cheese and your choice of meat and sauce for $35.
Anthony said the Bird Rock menu was costed at minimal margins to make it affordable and to encourage people to give the Jan Juc venue a try.
“The response has been brilliant so I’m really happy with the feedback we are getting from that.”
He has also taken on an exciting project during lockdown, working with a food scientist to bottle his range of Alisitos hot sauces.
Anthony’s other Bell Street venue, Roku Den, continues to offer its full menu for takeaway.

“The community response during the first lockdown was awesome.”
“With Melbourne going into stage four it’s been a lot quieter and I have a feeling this one is going to hurt a bit more unfortunately.
“It’s a hard time but if we can all support each other, hopefully on the other side we are all that much stronger.”
On the Bellarine, 360Q owner Barry Iddles is keen to ensure customers can enjoy high-quality restaurant fare at home.
360Q offers delivery of three-day, four-day and 14-day fresh meal packs, as well as a three-course dinner party pack suited to virtual dinner parties with friends via Zoom.
The Queenscliff restaurant also offers heat-and-eat single meals with healthy and gluten-free options, as well as a takeaway menu.
“I was tempted to do Keto this time because everyone got so COVID fat,” Barry joked.
He said with more venues now offering takeaway it had become competitive but he is working hard to promote their offering, including delivering 14,000 postcards to houses on the Bellarine.
“I love our community and it’s really fantastic to see them all get behind our local venues and shops to keep us going through this tough time.”
To support local business, Times News Group has set up an online menu tab where local eateries can post their food menus for free, all in the one convenient place. To browse the menus visit timesnewsgroup.com.au/surfcoasttimes/category/menus/