March 30th, 2020Feel like a feed? Pick up the phone by Kevin Childs

AS DOORS close at some of our most renowned restaurants and luxury getaways, some cafes and venues are coming up with ingenious ideas to stay open.

So, as we observe the stay in, stay safe maxim, it comes as a relief to know so many enterprising places now offer takeaway and delivery.

Lake House and Annie Smithers’ Du Fermier in Trentham may be shut, but an offshoot of Lake House, Wombat Hill House in the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, is now Wombat Staples and Takeaway, offering vegies, sourdough loaves and baguettes from Thursday to Monday.

Another prized establishment, Sault at Musk Vale, the setting for many weddings, has become one of the more stylish drive-through takeaways. As well as three-course meals, frozen meals, partly-baked bread and gourmet fish ‘n’ chips, Sault is offering paid delivery on Friday and Saturday and a basic market of fresh produce.

Like Sault, Bistro Terroir in Howe Street, Daylesford, will be selling takeaway alcohol as well as offering takeaway meals and delivery. Dinners, mainly of braised dishes and salads, will be available Thursday to Sunday and lunch Saturday and Sunday.

Up the hill, newbie Beppe Kitchen + Bar trattoria offers lunch and dinner takeaway, while its better-known sibling Cliffy’s is shut.

Yardbird in Howe Street offers takeaway pastries, curries, burgers, wraps and milkshakes. Nearby, Sakana Japanese restaurant is not taking bookings until April 17.

The Farmers Arms Hotel offers home delivery by one of their staff, 12.30pm to 8.30pm daily, they’ll fetch pork belly, lamb shanks and more.

Only the bottle shop is open, 4pm to 7.30pm at the Daylesford Hotel. The bistro and bar at the adjacent Royal Hotel are closed, but there is accommodation.

Down in Vincent Street, Jen Latta has moved her Wine and the Country alcohol sales next door into her Dos Deli and is offering takeaway, with free local delivery of meals such as sandwiches or a hamper with a bottle of wine.

Nearby Pancho is locked, but Jackie’s on Vincent has lunch and dinner collect or deliver, with those dumplings available every day.

Across the road  Frangos & Frangos is offering home delivery in Daylesford and Hepburn, operating from 7.30am to 6pm Sunday to Thursday and to 8pm Friday and Saturday. It’s also takeaway only further down the street at Betel Boy, running from 5pm Friday and Saturday.

Larder is serving coffee and goodies in the adjacent lane, while the Food Gallery is closed but there’s takeaway ready at Sweet Decadence.

Across the street a four-customers-at-once rule reigns at both Daylesford Chargrilled Chicken and the pizza place next door, while it’s two at a time in the Seafood Bar. Daily takeaway is available from the neighbouring Daylesford Steakhouse.

Back in Albert Street, the coffees come through a window at Muffins and More, and over the road Red Ginger Thai is takeaway only.

Both the Boathouse and Splinters Café are closed at Lake Daylesford.

East Street’s Dele Food and Wine has Monday to Saturday gourmet food takeaway, while Spade to Blade has meals for the microwave or freezer, with both collection and delivery

In Hepburn, Frank and Connie’s takeaway dinners are on offer from its recent acquisition, the former Blue Bean Love Cafe, now Harry’s Eatery and Bar. There’s “no contact” coffee and brunch 8am to 3pm and then pick-up or delivery from 5.30pm to 8pm. Further afield, the newly expanded La Peche Gourmand in Creswick is doing takeaway only.

In Kyneton, Piper Street Food Co showcases its Friday night pizza, expanded pick-up and delivery for locals. 2Eat At Home by Colenso runs a meal subscription service. Trentham’s Aterics Café Bar has takeaway food and coffee at the weekend and coffee 9am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday. Chaplins is closed but Trentham General is there for morning coffee, but best to check for any changes.

Atelier Chocolat is closed to customers but taking orders as Easter looms.

The popular Cosmopolitan Hotel has a takeaway dinner menu 5pm to 7.30pm. You call to order, pay and arrange where to collect your meal.

*All correct at press time but subject to updates.

**Image: Piper Street Food Co.