Bao Brothers has introduced the limited edition Lockdown Party Kits Version 2.0.
Each kit is just $35 and includes 10 fun-sized bao buns with protein and condiments. There's the Five Spice Pork Belly with aromatic chilli jam, praline and cucumber; K-Town Cauli with pickled diakon, k glaze and toasted sesame; and Honey Chicken with sriracha mayo, burger pickles and honey glaze.
Sides are $10 and include the edamame salad with ponzu dressing; broccolini with yuzu mustard dressing and furikake; and BBQ Pork or Vegetarian Steamed Buns (four pieces).
You can also grab condiments from the Bao Brothers Mini Mart online (bao-brothers-eatery.myshopify.com).
"You basically just heat the buns on the steamer or in the microwave, pan fry the pork for a couple of minutes, and away you go," co-founder Nathan Martin said.
"Using party-size bao in the kits makes it more affordable. By the far the chicken has been the best seller but to be honest the pork one is pretty good too."
With the condiments, he says you can "try them on a toastie, throw them in a salad, or use them on fries".
Martin has been delivering the kits himself but is reassessing this and considering whether or not to include them on Uber Eats and Menulog deliveries with the rest of the menu. It has been taking him four or five hours to get the kits to their new homes.
Business has been up and down and life has "been pretty full on", he says. They've been short-staffed so he and co-founder/chef Dave Griffin have been filling the gaps.
The Sydney restaurant build has been put on hold due to COVID lockdowns. It's in Chippendale, close to University of Technology Sydney and Spice Alley.
"If we nail it, this will be our flagship for the franchise model. We're just trying to keep improving our product, and streamlining it," Martin said.
"It's pretty hard to grow with all the roadblocks that have been in the way.
"It's so tough for people in the business right now. Do you open? Do you not open? What's going to happen today? Honestly, we just don't know what to do but we'll keep doing what we're doing for now."
Get your pastry hit
Mayfield patisserie Covered in Crumbs is now accepting phone orders for same day pick-up. Phone 0423 764 325 to place and pay for your order over the phone. It will be open for pick-up Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 8am to 2pm, and Sunday, 8am to noon. Online ordering is also available.
Take-home tagine
Moor Newcastle East has take-home tagines on offer, made fresh each morning. They're $20 each and come with a side of saffron rice or pistachio and herb cous cous. They're open daily from 7am to 1pm, and are selling some grab and go items, as well as wine at a 20 per cent discount. Phone 4023 7096.
Dockyard on board
The team at Newcastle's Dockyard have spent the past fortnight refining its takeaway food and beverage menu and orders are now being taking online (thedockyard.com.au/takeaway-menu) or by phone (4915 6558). There are snacks, burgers, pub classics, pizzas and loaded fries to choose from, as well as beer, wine and soft drink.
Dinner is served
Paymasters Restaurant is open again and offering a huge takeaway menu which you can order via their website (paymasters.com.au). There are heat-at-home meals (curries, soups), a children's menu, breads, meals cooked ready to eat (pastas, Greek lemon chicken, baked camembert and salmon fillet, to name a few), a drinks menu and dessert). You can also order takeaway breakfast on Sundays. Pick-up Wednesday to Saturday, noon to 8pm, and Sunday, 9.30am to 2pm.
Delivery services
I ran a story about meal home delivery businesses in our region (that aren't a restaurant or have a shopfront) in Saturday's Weekender. While researching, it became apparent there are many businesses delivering meal kits and grocery items to Newcastle and Hunter residents, too. They include: Your Food Collective; Sweet Delights Picnics; Lebanese Groceries - Central Coast and Newcastle; Boxed Scones; Activate Foods; Tender Loving Cuisine; The Dinner Ladies; AIV Newcastle/Hunter Valley; The Milkman's Back; Go Organic Fruit and Veg Delivery; Gourmet Food Distributors; The Source Bulk Foods; Jesmond Fruit Barn; The Butchery on Brunker; Lorn Butchery; Newcastle Greens; Tenambit Butchery; Bakers Delight; Jewells Fresh; Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop; Gourmet Food Distributors; Fruit Brothers; Somerset Meats; Sally & Patricks; Slick Chicks; Hunter Belle Dairy Co; Newcastle Food & Flower Markets; Feedback Farms; Hungerford Meat Co; Not Just Apples and Oranges; Miss Melon's Fruit & Veg; Binnie Beef Warehouse; Kapsali Farm; Papa Al's Bakehouse; An Apple A Day; and Delish Deliveries.
Of course there are more. Many more. Do your research! I ordered some Kapsali Farm eggs this week that would have been purchased by restaurants but for lockdown. Delicious.
East End faves are back
The Falcon at Newcastle East has reopened for takeaway meals, 5pm to 8pm, ready to reheat and enjoy at home.
