In the last three years, the restaurant industry suffered due to lockdowns, bans on visitors from overseas, staff shortages, price increases due floods and conflict and social distancing restrictions limiting the amount of diners venues can cater to.

Just as you think we’re returning to normal, yet another covid wave is seeing peaks in infections across Australia (I’m having de ja vu, could’ve sworn the same thing happened last summer too).

But, if you are immune compromised or are avoiding going out right now during this latest peak, there is plenty you can do to help support our unique restaurant industry.

Here are 10 tips to help them out.

If Dining In

1. Book Ahead

This lets’ them plan their night, source enough ingredients, and try to fill as many tables as possible by staggering them out.

Image Aurora Restaurant – #AmbientMenuAccredited – Adelaide CBD

2. If you Must Cancel, Let them Know.

No-shows cost the restaurant industry around $75 million a year in Australia!!! (1)

If you need to cancel (which many still do at the moment due to close contact exposure), give them as much notice as possible so they can try to fill it with someone else or find someone who can attend in your place.

Chef Matt Orlando explains in this article (2) “It is a very selfish act to commit to something then back out without taking into consideration the consequences of your actions. If people knew or cared about the amount of work it takes to run a restaurant, this would happen less often.”

“When one person doesn’t show up, we potentially lose between $180-280. If you do the math and see how tight our profit margins are, then we can easily go from making money to losing money,”

When preparing for a service, staff prep all food for their guests. If someone doesn’t show up, then there is food left that they can’t use the next day. Everything prepared is very detailed and there’s a lot of work behind it. A no-show results in hours of wasted work and misuse of craftsmanship.

It’s also stopping other people who would attend, from attending if they think they are fully booked.

Image Hut and Soul – #AmbientMenuAccredited – Adelaide CBD

3. Be patient and Courteous

Acknowledge the staff are doing their best under challenging circumstances right now and be patient. There’s no need to be a Karen or Darren.

Some customers take to online platforms to vent about slow service rather than bring it up with the venue. Here is a classic example of a Karen reviewing one of my favourite places………. A one-sided review that the restaurant may not see or be able to respond to, can tarnish their reputation and achieve nothing except for making you feel superior for one second (while the rest of us think 🙄 ). If you have a complaint, bring it up with the management in a polite way, so they know it happened in the first place.

mic drop moment from the staff in this response BTW

And how could you be stressed looking down upon this while dining?

Image Belicious – rated as LOW by diners – Inman Valley SA

4. Say Cheers 🥂

Restaurants make more profit on drinks than food, sometimes the profits on drinks and booze are the only thing that will keep a place open.

So remember, It’s not called ‘drinking’, it’s called ‘supporting the economy’ 🥂.

Image – Psari Seafood Bar and Grill – #AmbientMenuAccredited – Mooloolaba Sunshine Coast

5. Try Somewhere New

The restaurant industry relies heavily on word of mouth. Ask your friends where their favourite place is and try out something new for a fantastic experience. You’re more likely to have a good night if it has been recommended, and your friends will love that you took on their advice and had a memorable evening. 

Image – Amici Restaurant – rated as LOW by diners – Caloundra

6. If you are concerned about COVID, ask for a table outside

A review of 73 scientific papers on Covid transmission found outdoor transmission is much less than indoors, as long as social distancing is maintained (3).

So if you are worried about taking home more than an exceptional experience, ask to sit outside 😉

You can find eateries on the Ambient Menu website that have outdoor seating, by using the ‘Outdoor Dining’ search criteria as shown in this link.

Image Oceanique – rated as LOW by diners – West Beach SA

If Taking Out

7 + 8. Leave a Review of your Favourite Eatery, and Share their Socials

If you like something, say something.

Of course, I request you leave a review on the Ambient Menu Website which only takes 30 seconds. This helps others find the perfect place for their next memorable evening (PLUS you get rewarded for your review… hint hint) 😉.

Word of mouth is compelling and if they gave you a memorable evening with delicious food and good service, pay it forward.

Share your experiences on social media and tag them in your post. It’s just as beneficial as leaving a review, and by following them, you’re up to date on any updates

Image Fishbank – rated as LOW by diners – Adelaide CBD

9. Get takeaway

Don’t feel like cooking? Want to entertain at home instead?

Support your favourite restaurant by getting takeaway. 

 

Image Duke of Brunswick – Rated as LOW by diners – Adelaide CBD

10. Buy a Gift voucher

Friends birthday coming up? Treat them to a memorable experience. I bought my Mum for Christmas a voucher at Aurora, I had a brilliant night there and I want her to experience this too.

Who can you think of that deserves a great night out? Get them a voucher for an experience they will never forget.

Image Aurora Restaurant – #AmbientMenuAccredited – Adelaide CBD

And, if you need help finding a quiet venue where you can connect and be social, tap on our home page to find your perfect venue.

All venues listed in this blog have been Ambient Menu Accredited, or rated as quiet or low in background noise by diners, so check them out.

Bon Appetit

 

(Originally posted 9 January 2022, updated 3 January 2023)

 

 

REFERENCES

(1) Valmorbida, A. (2017) 38,000 “no shows” blacklisted from restaurants, Broadsheet. Available at: https://www.broadsheet.com.au/sydney/food-and-drink/article/38k-no-shows-black-listed-from-restaurants (Accessed: January 3, 2023).

(2) How can restaurants deal with no-shows? (2022) Superb. Available at: https://www.superbexperience.com/experience-matters/how-to-stop-restaurant-no-shows-7-ways-from-top-chefs (Accessed: January 3, 2023).

(3) Dinoi, A., Feltracco, M., Chirizzi, D., Trabucco, S., Conte, M., Gregoris, E., Barbaro, E., La Bella, G., Ciccarese, G., Belosi, F., La Salandra, G., Gambaro, A. and Contini, D., 2021. A review on measurements of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in air in outdoor and indoor environments: Implication for airborne transmission. Science of The Total Environment, p.151137.

 

 


1 comment

  1. Andy Constantinides
    Tuesday 11 January 20222022-01-11 09:21:29

    Very good read. We should be doing everything we can to save the SA Restaurant Industry. I have family who own a beachside cafe. I see them work so hard and continuously take all the punches covid throws at them. They stay open for their customers and their staff only to be continuously let down by this government. Their loyal customers and great staff, not to mention their amazing food keeps them going, keeps them smiling!


Leave a comment