The recent easing of coronavirus rules and restrictions surrounding dining out means that restaurants can turn on the lights, dust off the tables and chairs, and reopen their doors – to a limited few.
Rockpool Dining Group is preparing to reopen several of its restaurants across New South Wales and Victoria, following the state government announcements regarding the new guidelines.
With safe dining and safe socialising the primary priorities and more than 80 restaurants in its portfolio, the dining group plans to open its restaurants over the course of several phases.
“We are thrilled to be bringing more employees back to work and to be welcoming diners back to our restaurants,” Rockpool Dining Group CEO Thomas Pash says.
“However, the reopening of our venues will be slow and steady so we can take the very best of care of our guests and team members from a safe-dining perspective.”
The group’s gradual approach to reopening will ensure that safe-dining measures are carefully executed across Rockpool’s extensive portfolio.
A phased approach will also help determine how much demand there is for dining out across the sector, which will better inform the group’s full reopening schedule.
“We don’t want to rush into things too quickly in case demand for dining out is not there across the sector, or there are setbacks in the easing of restrictions by state governments.”
Following, the state government’s announcement that Sydney’s hospitality businesses will be allowed to welcome 50 dine-in customers from Monday 1 June, Rockpool Dining Group has decided to slowly reopen several of its New South Wales restaurants for lunch on Wednesday 3 June. The venues include:
• Saké in The Rocks, Double Bay and Manly
• El Camino Cantina in The Rocks and Manly
• The Bavarian in Charlestown, Rouse Hill, Macarthur, Shellharbour and Bondi
• Fratelli Fresh in Darling Harbour and Crows Nest
• WingHAÜS by Bavarian
Additionally, further New South Wales’ restaurants expected to follow include:
• Rockpool Bar & Grill (4 June)
• Munich Brauhaus, The Rocks (mid to late June)
• Fratelli Fresh, Miranda (mid to late June)
• The Bavarian, Tuggerah (mid to late June)
• Beerhaüs, Barangaroo (mid to late June)
“We don’t want to rush into things too quickly in case demand for dining out is not there across the sector, or there are setbacks in the easing of restrictions by state governments.”
Victoria’s restaurants will also reopen for dine-in customers on 1 June after two months in lockdown. The group plans to open the following restaurants from 22 June:
• Rockpool Bar & Grill
• Saké Hamer Hall
• El Camino Cantina in Fitzroy
Bookings opened from 5pm on 27 May. All restaurants except Rockpool Bar & Grill will reopen with expanded pick-up and delivery services.
Rockpool Dining Group will consider reopening restaurants in Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the ACT as dining restrictions ease.
Rockpool employees will undergo intensive health and safety training before reopening and enhanced ongoing cleaning procedures will be implemented.
The tables will also be separated to abide by the four-square metre social distancing rule. Bookings will be spaced out and monitored to stay within dining limits.
Further precautionary steps include hand sanitisers throughout each venue, an emphasis on cashless transactions, contactless order and pay digital technology, and single-use and digital menus.
Rockpool Dining Group is continually updating its list of reopening restaurants via its website.
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