NOLA, The Stag Public House, Anchovy Bandit and Yiasou George are all doing good things to keep you fed and their employees… employed.

SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19 ADELAIDE

“These crazy times have called for adaptation and innovation,” says a press release from the Big Easy Group, which came to CityMag through the wires this week.

The downturn in trade has come sharp in the hospitality industry, but the group, which is home to NOLA, The Stag Public House, Anchovy Bandit, and Yiasou George, has made innovative changes to their operations, to keep their regular patrons fed and their employees working.

As many city-dwellers opt to self-isolate, new delivery measures have been implemented across the venues.

Rather than relying on existing delivery apps, like Uber, which has yet to announce any relief on their commission (up to 35% in most cases), the front-of-house and management teams will be delivering food and beverage to your door.

The delivery drivers will be practising the utmost care in respecting the social distancing practices of their customers. With that said, in most cases the delivery will be made free of charge to you, so if you have the means to tip the drivers, please do so.

We will outline each of the venues’ initiatives below, but remember that if you are feeling well, showing no symptoms, and so long as the government’s advice allows for it, every hospitality business with open doors will warmly welcome and wholeheartedly appreciate dine-in patrons, albeit at reduced capacities.

(We also encourage and respect the decision of those who have chosen to self-isolate.)

Yiasou George’s Family Meals

Executive chef Matt Eustis has designed a tight 11-item menu of takeaway items, all oriented towards communal eating.

There are a range of dips for $10 a piece, a chocolate mousse dessert, and a couple of single-serve mains, like the Greek salad and grilled vegetable salad. But the potato gratin, eggplant parmigiana and whole lamb shoulder each serve 3-4 people – or, if you’re savvy and isolating alone, keep the leftovers for lunch the next day.

See the full menu here, and order by calling 0434 812 023. And please remember, if you can, tip your driver.

Yiasou George is open from 6pm ‘til late Wednesday to Sunday, as well as 12pm ‘til 3pm on Fridays.

Big Easy Drinks

Great news! If you are self-isolating, it turns out you’re not stuck having to sip your way through a sad interpretation of a Negroni made with the basic AF spirits left over in your booze cabinet.

NOLA, The Stag, and Anchovy Bandit have banded together to produce this brand-new alcohol delivery service.

Big Easy Drinks will deliver curated drinks to your door with the personal touch usually reserved for venues.

Bar staff will be available via online chat to talk about the drink you’re after, recommend products, and take your order, which will then be transported by one of the team’s FOH staff.

Not only will this support the venue and its staff (tip your driver!), you’ll also be supporting the beer, wine and spirits producers, who will also feel the effects of the hospitality downturn.

You can browse the Big Easy Drinks offering here.

Same day delivery is guaranteed if ordered before 3pm, and orders are valid up to 5km from the city. There is no delivery fee for orders over $100.

Anchovy Bandit Home Delivery

This, but at your house

You’ve got to love good neighbours.

Suburban pizza and cocktail house Anchovy Bandit is also jumping on the food delivery bandwagon – its staff will deliver piping hot pizzas to your door, as well as a short menu of items from their Prospect neighbours, Meze Mazi.

For the full takeaway menu from both shops and contact information, see here.

There will be no delivery charge, but you are encouraged to tip your driver. They get to keep the cash dollars. Uber charges $5 for delivery – why not sling a fiver to an actual human living and working in your community instead?

Deliveries are available up to 3km from the venue. Anchovy Bandit is open 4pm ‘til late, seven days.

Live Music at NOLA

The live performance industry is also doing it tough, with several city venues already forced to close.

NOLA is doing its bit to keep the Adelaide music scene active, running a nightly series of gigs, curated by local blues and folk musician, Jimmy Bay.

Each night from Tuesday through ‘til Sunday, Jimmy Bay will take the stage with a special guest at 8pm, serenading those still out and about supporting the Adelaide live music scene.

“At NOLA Adelaide, we have been lucky enough to benefit from the support of locals, tourists and artists over the festival period and we want to do all we can to continue to support local artists in return,” a statement from the bar says.

“Whilst we encourage everyone to attend in support of local product and artist the health and wellbeing of our staff and patrons is obviously our main priority. We are currently implementing and practicing all of the necessary precautions as advised by the SA Government and Department of Health and will continue to monitor the situation as new information is released.

“If you’re feeling well and want to support local please pop in for a beer, some chicken and some great vibes provided by Adelaide’s best blues, jazz and folk musicians.

NOLA opens 4pm ‘til late Tuesday to Thursday and midday ‘til late Friday to Sunday.