What’s cooking in Killarney?
Restaurants steaming into takeaway and delivery services to bridge the COVID-19 isolation gap
BY KIM LANGEN
Part of great cooking and good economy is using what is on hand.
But throw the present COVID-19 pandemic separation restrictions into the mix, and the bar goes even higher.
And that is what local restaurateurs are currently facing, with a ghost-town main street, and all returning travellers to Canada under a federally-legislated mandatory two-week isolation.
“All routines are changed,” said chef Becky Roberts, now in her second season at the Killarney Lakeside Golf Club Restaurant. “You have to make decisions that streamline your business, and serve the needs of the community. We have to watch our stock, and use what we have wisely, and also make great food.”
Roberts started in on new fresh and freezer options this week in the Clubhouse kitchen, she said, with a focus on takeaway homemade soups, biscuits, lasagna, and, of course, their popular pizza.
“I am launching this week with the soup,” she said on Wednesday. “I’ve got a creamy tomato basil soup, Italian sausage and kale soup, and old-fashioned hamburger soup.”
The restaurant itself is closed to diners, but the ready-to-eat orders are often being picked up right off the porch outside, she said.
“That’s where they usually park with their golf carts,” said Roberts. “But we don’t know now when golfing is going to get started this year.”
And it’s about more than just food, she said, during these strange and isolated times.
“Some people want to have a drive, and they come out here to the golf course, and pick up their order on the golf course patio,” she said. “It makes a change for them. Even a takeout is a bright spot in the day.”
Weekend takeouts had already been hopping at the Clubhouse, especially around the suppertime hours, said Roberts. But she wanted to offer more options to the community.
“Lots of people are calling ahead, and we like that, especially on Friday and Saturday nights,” she said. “Our pizza ovens are going all the time. We are happy there are lazy cooks. People should stay at home, and if they are in self-isolation, delivery is free. We can do a curb-side drop-off for them.”
Roberts, who has worked internationally as a chef, said she preferred less contact with customers during this pandemic time, and that paying in advance over the phone was ideal. However, customers can still also use their debit or credit card at the till, or pay cash.
PATIO PICK-UP AT THE GOLF COURSE – Chef Becky Roberts, now in her second season out at the Killarney Lakeside Golf Club, is still rocking in the kitchen – and cooking up a takeaway storm of both fresh and frozen options. Customers often pick up their orders on the patio outside, she said.
Over on Broadway Avenue, Wu’s Restaurant has kept its sunny doors open, and is now operating from just noon to 7 p.m., said Amy Wu.
But just after lunchtime on Wednesday, the tidy restaurant was completely devoid of guests.
“We are still open, for lunch and dinner, and for takeaway,” she said. “It’s been very slow. Most people pick up their orders. Delivery can be by taxi also, if the customers order the taxi themselves.”
TAKEAWAY CHINESE FOOD AT WU’S – Wu’s Restaurant on Broadway is still open for table service (with distancing) but the takeaway option (above) is getting more popular. Owner Amy Wu passes over some takeout to a hungry customer on another quiet day for the restaurant on Thursday.
Jaimin Patel, a server at Killarney’s Subway, said business was quiet over there too. The fast sub sandwiches are normally a popular takeout item, but traffic is minimal, as people are being advised to stay home, and many businesses remain closed.
“It’s pretty slow,” said Patel. “I wish we were busier. We have a sub of the day special every day. People can phone in to order with a credit card, download our app, order online at the Subway website, or pay cash at the counter. We don’t have seating; it’s just takeaway service for now.”
FOOT-LONG FINESSE AT SUBWAY – Owner Kanu Patel (aka ‘K.P.’) is still offering takeaway service at the local Subway in Killarney. There’s a special foot-long sub deal of the day every day, for around $7.50, which is popular with people on the go.
Earlier this week, the owner of the Blarney Stone Pub and Restaurant, Rick Pauls, was hustling to create a new kind of food service for the public.
“We are looking at doing bulk orders, through our supplier,” said Pauls on Monday. “That’s our supply chain, and they are overloaded with stock. It’s our big project today. We have been looking into this idea for a few months now, to supply bulk orders, like people get in Costco, but have it right here in town. We hope to get it going this week. It would be for things you could cook at home, like chicken or steak. ”
And by Tuesday the service was already up and running, with orders coming in fast and thick, said the Blarney Stone’s Jenny Beare.
“Most people are ordering the meat packs,” she said. “We have had 12 orders so far. People can come in, grab, and leave, with little contact. They can pay at the till with cash or a card. We have an order sheet, available here at the till, or people can go online, to our Facebook page, if they are members, to make their order. It will be updated weekly, and there will also be deals of the week. Pick up is on Tuesday and Friday, after 3 p.m.”
And service in the Chicken Delight dining room is still running, added Pauls.
“The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and we are definitely open for takeout, and for delivery by taxi,” said Pauls. “Inside, we are following the guidelines set out by the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, with limited and distanced seating.”
THE COSTCO OF KILLARNEY? – Blarney Stone Pub and Restaurant owner Rick Pauls is now offering bulk buys for his customers, kind of like a local Costco. It’s partly because his main supplier is overloaded with stock, as so many outlets have closed in the province. The Blarney’s dining room remains open, with seating restrictions, and takeout by taxi is also available.
To find out more, or to place an order at a local restaurant, here are the contact numbers:
Killarney Lakeside Golf Club: 204-523-8277
Subway: 204-523-8520
Wu’s Restaurant: 204-523-8989
Blarney Stone Pub and Restaurant: 204-523-7782
KIM LANGEN and JAY STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE PHOTOS
NO HORSING AROUND WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING – These horses were practicing social distancing on Wednesday afternoon, at John and Audrey Bellew’s place just west of town, standing well beyond the recommended two-metre distance away from each other. Remember, if they can do it, we can do it!
JAY STRUTH/KILLARNEY GUIDE
MANDATORY QUARANTINE FOR RETURNING TRAVELLERS – Canada is making unprecedented use of the federal Quarantine Act in a bid to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. All travellers returning to Canada are now legally required to go into self-isolation for 14 days. See this week’s Killarney Guide for more on the Quarantine Act.