Push to support restaurant amid backlash over illegal feast

Anti-vaxxers say the media has ruined a Seddon restaurant over claims it hosted an illegal lockdown gathering — and they’re begging their followers to back it online.

Anti-vaxxer ringleaders are calling for their conspiracy theorist followers to support the Seddon restaurant they outed for allegedly hosting their illegal lockdown gathering.

Reignite Democray Australia — run by anti-vax activists Monica Smit and Morgan Jonas — has today appealed on social media for followers to leave five-star reviews for Moda Kitchen and Bar in Seddon.

Other prominent anti vaxxers have also issued pleas on behalf of Moda in an attempt to offset community backlash against the restaurant, with many locals furious at claims it breached coronavirus restrictions following Saturday’s anti-lockdown protests.

More than a dozen anti-vaxxers were allegedly photographed at Moda Kitchen and Bar in Seddon on Saturday afternoon.

As revealed by the Herald Sun on Monday, the state government’s coronavirus enforcement team and Victoria Police are investigating after more than a dozen anti-vaxxers — including protest inciters Ms Smit and Mr Jonas — were photographed at Moda on Saturday afternoon, despite statewide coronavirus restrictions which have shut restaurant doors and banned public gatherings.

Moda Kitchen and Bar denied opening its doors to the anti-vax group, despite police confirming they were called to the Victoria St restaurant over reports of “a group not wearing masks” about 4.30pm on Saturday.

A tweet from the Reignite Democracy Australia Twitter account.

An Instagram post from Matt Lawson.

But despite the anti-vaxxers boastfully posting the photograph themselves on encrypted communication app Telegram, they are now blaming the media for ruining the business.

In a now-deleted Facebook post Reingnite Democracy Australia provided links to restaurant review sites and urged followers to leave five star raves — even offering a guide review as “inspiration” for what to write.

A similar request on from the Reignite Democracy Australia Twitter account is still active, stating: “We can make this right. Go to Google and leave a five-star review for this great family”.

Moda Kitchen and Bar in Seddon.

Conspiracy theorist Matt Lawson has also asked his Instagram followers to support Moda, stating: “The amazing team at @modakitchenandbar stayed open against lockdown laws and is now being SMASHED on google reviews”.

The appeals appear have resulted left those furious at the restaurant and their clients sparring via rival reviews on sites such as Zomato and Tripadvisor.

After a string of eight one-star Zomato reviews throughout Monday, Moda Kitchen and bar has since received nine five-star reviews, including one which reads: “Delicious food and fantastic service. Open invitation to Bretty, short round Merlino and Dopey Dan to come on down and check it out! Promise you’ll have a great time”.

And despite all Victorian restaurants currently being closed to dine-in diners for the past four days, Tripadvisor has received a dozen reviews for Moda Kitchen and Bar in the past two days — with an even split of six one-star reviews and six five-star ratings.