Pantano's Bar and Grill has opened its doors to eat-in customers again after a nine-week ban.
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The NSW Government's eased restrictions allow restaurants and cafes to reopen to 10 dine-in customers at a time.
Owner of Pantano's, Fiona Miller, was conflicted about opening the restaurant again, knowing it would be tough, but ultimately decided to give it a shot.
"If I hadn't been doing takeaway and delivery already and still had my staff working full-time, then I wouldn't have been able to do it for 10 people, it wouldn't have been viable," she said, adding that JobKeeper was a big factor in being able to keep going.
Pantano's allows walk-in customers during lunch service, from 11.30am to 3pm, and is taking bookings for dinner between 5pm and 9pm.
Dinner is divided into three sessions to accommodate as many customers as possible.
Measures have been implemented to ensure the restaurant is a safe environment, including keeping tables free of cutlery and salt shakers while not in use, having laminated menus that can be wiped down, spacing out diners, and cleaning tables as soon as they've been vacated.
Ms Miller said customers have started returning, regulars in particular, with people just happy to be able to get out and catch up with each other.
Although the restaurant is open, takeout is still being offered and encouraged as an alternative to having a sit-down meal.
Home delivery will also continue.
Ms Miller said it was great to be able to have diners again and is looking forward to accommodating more people when NSW moves to stage two reopening measures, which would allow 20 customers to dine in.
"Once we're allowed at least 20 people in our restaurant it will feel a bit more like it's back to normal," she said.
She appreciates everyone who has continued to support the restaurant during the pandemic.
"I just want to thank the community for supporting us. They've really taken on the pick-up and home delivery, and even since we have opened our doors, they have come back," she said.