Gosh.
Since the Victorian Government shut our restaurants (as they should!) venues have taken one of two paths:
Close until further notice (heartbreaking, but completely justified. We’ll back to support you!)
Turned themselves into a takeaway or delivery service, practically overnight. As of Friday March 27, those options are available and allowed in Melbourne. This could (and will) change.
Here are some of you might like to try – get in quick!
(all photos from Instagram)
Tonka (delivery and pick up)
When they put a call out that they would home deliver their curries, they thought they might sell a couple of boxes. They had 200 calls in the first hour. The chefs are cooking and the front-of-house staff are delivering. If you spend enough money, chef Adam d’Sylva will deliver personally. He’s driven car loads of curries this week…. some all the way to Portsea and Sorrento.
(03) 9650 3155, Duckboard Place, Melbourne
Attica Bakehouse (takeaway and delivery)
When Attica chef Ben Shewry put together a bake stall as a bushfire fundraiser earlier this year, little did he know that those recipes would become his full-time job a few weeks later. For the first week the queues have been long (also because 1.5m), but you can have a second go at the vegemite scrolls, Davison plum scrolls (my favourite!) and a lasagne/garlic bread combo to take home for dinner.
***Update: the bakehouse has been retired, but Attica have extended their ‘Attica at home’ take away meals. Still good news. Check the website and insta @atticamelbourne for updates***
74 Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea. www.attica.com.au/delivery
Baker Bleu at Marion Grocer (takeaway)
Marion has turned into a north side retail store for south side baker Baker Bleu. Bread and pastries that are good enough to serve at any of Andrew McConnell’s restaurants, ready for you at home. They are also selling organic vegetables, wine and more. Call and pay ahead of time.
Wed -Sun, 8am-1pm, (03) 9419 6262, 51 Gertrude St, Fitzroy.
Bar Saracen (drive-thru and delivery with DoorDash)
If you feel like HSP (Home Saracen Pack) today, call ahead, drive down Punch Lane and they will bring your take away order and the EFTPOS machine to the car.
(03) 8639 0265, Punch Lane, Melbourne
Entrecote Corner Store (takeaway grocery store, with delivery via UberEats/Deliveroo)
The uber Frenchies have turned their South Ra-Ra terrace into a fancy little grocery store. Grab a breakfast box with eggs and bacon for petit dejeuner, a cheeseburger for lunch and some wine for dinner … and some fancy toilet paper.
7am-3pm, 131-133 Domain Road, South Yarra
Asado (click and collect)
South American more your flavour? The San Telmo group have turned their Southbank premises, Asado, into a grocery store as well. Fresh fruit and veg, milk, eggs and premium cuts of meat from Victorian suppliers. Plus actual ready-to-eat meals. And wine. Place your order and the box will be ready the next day.
https://www.thesantelmogroup.com.au/shop
Riverside Quay, Southbank, Melbourne
Agathe Patisserie (delivery)
Our favourite pastries in Melbourne now take online orders and deliver. At first it was just to the local suburbs, but she’s spreading her wings based on demand. I think Agathe herself is doing the driving, face mask and all.
Folks, we want all of our wonderful small businesses to survive this!
For those that have done a very quick pivot to change the way they do things to survive, let’s applaud them and support them while it’s still OK to do so.
There are examples of this happening all around town. Support your local!
Walk Melbourne Gift Cards are Available!
Walk Melbourne Tours is offering gift cards for future tours. This is a great way to support us and the restaurants that we visit. Click Here for more info.