Top Restaurants Move to Delivery
LAISEANA NASIGA
If you are sitting at your C-Suite and want to order food then you are in luck.
Most restaurants in Suva are offering food delivery services amidst the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
It has become a precautionary measure for most food businesses to combat the spread of COVID-19 and also to assist in maintaining business operations.
This transition also answers the call by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to all restaurant owners to cut their seating capacity to be within the 20-person limit, keep tables hygienic and safely spaced apart, and –– better yet –– switch to delivery.
“For those who already offer take-away or delivery, do it more. For all others, try offering this service for the first time,” Mr Bainimarama said.
SunBiz reached out to some of these restaurants and found that although business is slow, delivery services are continuing.
Grand Pacific Hotel
In doing its part to protect the community, the Grand Pacific Hotel has adopted food delivery service.
This is also an effort by the hotel to keep their staff employed during this difficult time.
Sales and marketing manager Vanessa Steele said this is also an initiative by the hotel in response to the precautionary measures in place for COVID 19.
“Outside catering was something that GPH had planned to be introduced later in the year. “However given the current pandemic it was introduced earlier.”
She said delivery is free however only a minimum of $50 spend within the Suva central business district areas.
Deliveries can be made between Lami to Valelevu.
Ms Steele said since implementing the new service, a lot of customers have been sharing their feedback on the menus.
“Whole roasted chicken has been a popular request for the offices and for the working parents that need an easy take home meal, our grilled fish in lemon butter with green salad is another favourite.
“We have had customers share their feedback on the catering services, through this, the most powerful form of marketing “Word of Mouth” assists the hotel with return on business,” she said.
In terms of precautionary measures, GPH have been closely following the recommendations of global and local public health authorities.
“Our heads of departments are prepared to guide and implement these recommendations in our hotel.
“Our already stringent hygiene protocols have been reviewed and adapted to the current situation and we have increased the frequency of all our cleaning processes, including the disinfecting of all surfaces in rooms and public areas such as lobbies, elevators, the front desk etc.
“Our teams have been given clear instructions on how to respond swiftly and appropriately to all presumed cases of coronavirus infection on property, and to provide full support to our guests and employees, addressing their concerns,” she said.
From Monday to Sunday, customers can call 9226030 for orders.
Paradiso Restaurant and Bar
Paradiso Restaurant and Bar now sells pizza and delivers food.The Italian-themed restaurant adopted the change in its operations since Fiji reported its case of coronavirus.
Office manager Sydel Whippy said the business had a limit to on- site customers as a precautionary measure.
“Table arrangements have been two metres apart and we still have some walk-ins,” she said. Ms Whippy said an average daily sale would rake in $2500, but since coronavirus, the sum has dropped to under a $1000 a day.
“Fridays and Sundays were usually our busiest days where we would feature live band entertainment.
“We can’t afford it now.
“We are really trying to push our takeaways,” she said.
Paradiso Restaurant and Bar’s delivery services are between 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
Ms Whippy said: “We usually have six days a week but now we have changed that to try and open seven days a week.
“Our takeaways have been quite popular and our largest sellers are pizzas.
“We have a variety of pizzas which are cooked on the wood fire.
“Lamb shanks is also a popular choice.
“We have an Italian bread which is also popular. “We cater for Tamavua, Walu Bay and greater Suva areas.”
Stage 1: Central Business District: Suva, Flagstaff, Raiwai, Walu Bay - $5
Stage 2: Samabula, Vatuwaqa, Nabua Town $7.50.
Stage 3: Tamavua, Wailoku, Lami, Nabua and Laucala Beach - $10.
For orders, customers can call 7772303, 9996867 or landline 3311726.
The Rotisserie
Small businesses such as The Rotisserie have also been doing food deliveries.
Restaurant manager Felisha Hazelman Tuiloma says they have had a lot of orders from the corporate organisations
“So from each corporate organisations, if I can get two to three orders, we only charge $10 per pack and we usually change the menu.
“We do not charge deliveries because we understand the funds are really tight.
“We actually give them a lot more than what they expect so that they get really good value for their money.
“We started deliveries at 11am till 12.30pm. We also do home deliveries as well.
“So I just usually email them, call them up as well and I do about 15-20 orders a day,
“We are based at Laucala Beach and we do deliveries in the Suva areas like Nabua, Samabula, around Laucala beach as well.
The Rotisserie opened in January.
She said they have definitely been impacted by COVID-19 which has definitely cut everything in half sometimes even less.
“So we kind of struggling and it’s very challenging and the fact that we just opened, so we are really trying our best to stay open.Our operating hours have been chopped. We previously open from 7am -7pm but now we open from 9am – 6pm.
“Friday and Sunday are our best days. Sundays are mainly are our take out days
The Rotisserie currently has four employees. For delivery orders, customers message The Rotisserie directly on Facebook and Instagram or call 3392088.
Café 30
A family style restaurant on McGregor Road is also offering delivery service. As per, Cafe 30 Facebook page, it stated: “Kind reminder, please place orders at least an hour before delivery time. “Anything above $25 is free delivery.
“Free delivery for Suva area only (Walu Bay/ Tamavua/Laucala Beach)
“Delivery times are 9.30am – 10.30am, 12pm – 1pm, 3pm – 4pm, and 6pm – 7pm. For orders, customers can call 7063039/7063038.”