Penelope’s at Circular Quay to offer ‘Invasion Day’ menu

A Circular Quay restaurant has unveiled its plans to offer an ‘Invasion Day’ feed on Australia Day, including caviar fairy bread and a halal snack pack. See what’s on the menu here.

Diners at a Circular Quay restaurant on Australia Day will be offered an “Invasion Day’’ menu instead, featuring braised kangarootail and — bizarrely — a halal snack pack.

The owner of new restaurant Penelope’s, Cuong Nguyen, says he has released the menu in support of the Australian Indigenous community.

Mr Nguyen told The Daily Telegraph the reason for this menu’s creation was to give “respect to the feelings of First Nation Australians’’.

“It’s a conversation that’s been going on for the past few years,” Mr Nguyen said.

“We should be celebrating Australia but it’s hard to celebrate on a day where half of the country like it and for the other half, it’s a day of mourning.

The tail of a kangaroo will be served up as part of the restaurant’s Invasion Day menu. Picture: Penelope’s/supplied

“So (this menu) is sort of a nod to them and a sign of respect to say that we know and we understand that this is not a good day for you.”

Mr Nguyen said he had not received any comments about the menu, which is on display on the restaurant’s website.

Some of the menu items include a caviar spin on the classic Australian treat, fairy bread. Picture: Penelope’s/supplied

But general manager Lee Potter Cavanagh said the future of the controverisal menu would hang on public reaction.

“If there’s huge backlash, then we might decide not to do it (again),” he said. “We’re not trying to do something that upsetspeople. So it’s always about trying to do something positive and it’s creative and fun and hopefully, makes people think aboutwhat our culture is and what Sydney is all about.”

Mr Nguyen said a dollar from each of the “Invasion Day’’ dishes sold will be donated to indigenous charities.

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