NSW restaurants: Kitchen by Mike owners tells diners not to feel pressured
As NSW residents ease back into normal life with the lifting of restrictions on how many people can attend restaurants, cafes and clubs, a top Sydney chef has issued a surprising message to would-be diners.
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Diners shouldn’t feel pressure to eat out if they are not ready, a top Sydney chef says.
People have been throwing their support behind restaurants opening their doors for 10 people and soon, 50, but Kitchen by Mike owner Mike McEnearney said not everyone wants to dine out under restrictions, and that is OK.
“A lot of people still aren’t ready to go out yet, some people take it all more seriously than others,” he said.
“Everyone needs money, our industry is on its knees, but I think that people will come back when it’s right.
“If you can have 50, and that’s including your staff, it depends on how you can make your room feel great.
“If you can only have 50 in a big restaurant the room may feel cavernous.
“So we’re in no hurry to reopen quite yet but it’s certainly on the radar.”
Diners can support restaurants the same way they have been since COVID-19 restrictions forced venues to close their doors in March, Mr McEnearney said – buying takeaway meals and supporting restaurant initiatives.
The shutdown allowed him to get Kitchen by Mike At Home up and running, available through delivery platform Thr1ve, which means his business is not reliant on unpredictable government announcements.
“We always wanted to get into this sphere but have always been busy with restaurants,” he said.
“It means we can maintain and build this business on top of when we open our restaurant so it doesn’t clash.”
Thanks to American Express and Delicious you can experience a virtual dinner with Kitchen by Mike, taking place Friday June 5.
Enjoy an evening hosted by Delicious Editor-in-Chief Kerrie McCallum and Merrick Watts with McEnearney’s award-winning fare and matching cocktails.
To order your virtual dinner experience visit the Delicious website.