FUN TIMES ON MENU AS ‘REALITY’ BITES

IF good food has the power to transport, Elk Espresso owner Andrew Whiting hopes it will turn back the clock to sweeter times … even if it’s just for a second.

The Gold Coast’s most acclaimed brunch restaurant has released a takeaway menu of its greatest hits intended to take tastebuds on a trip down memory lane.

“We’re bringing back classic Elk dishes like fried chicken waffles because we know they have huge followings,” he said.

“Maybe when you open that takeaway box at home it will take you back to the memory of when you had it; let you escape reality for a moment.

“We’ve had an opportunity to be creative with food again as the landscape changes and have looked at everything, including the price point because obviously cash flow is tighter for people.”

The coffee machine is still getting a workout at Elk’s Broadbeach headquarters, where a wall of foliage screens off the dining area that’s usually shoulder-toshoulder, now stacked up and strangely silent.

Upbeat tunes keep spirits high as regulars collect their orders togo, perhaps pausing to browse a new grocery table stocked with freerange eggs, hard-to-find milk alternatives and specialty breads.

“All of our suppliers are business as usual, so we’re trying to create that one-stop shop and pass on some things at cost price,” Mr Whiting said.

“It’s not like a normal day, but it really lights up your morning when you see your locals come out to support you.”

It’s a small consolation for the career restaurateur. After a heartbreaking day in which he had to let go of 22 staff, Mr Whiting is doing what he can to make sure there’s still a job for others.

“I said to (the staff I had to let go) that it’s not goodbye, it’s just pausing life for a while and then we’ll restart,” he said.

“We are like family and will try to keep connected. I told them to come in for a coffee every morning, my shout, we still want to see your face.”