This take on fine dining is an example of getting back in business while complying to COVID-19 restrictions.
By 6pm, the guests trickled in. Hills Shire Council mayor Dr Michelle Byrne, Hills Police Area Command superintendent Jason Joyce and the chairman of the board of Business NSW, Lyall Gorman and Caroline Gorman, and All Pavement Solutions CEO, Craig Murphy, to name a few of the distinguished guests.
They settled inside the elegant dining room as top brands of wines are poured and cheered on as the dinner party formally begins with Bivianos' owner, Raj Kumar, a well-known charity supporter in the Hills Shire.
MC Jim Taggart welcomed Biviano’s who’s who on its guests list and introduced Sydney Opera House’s violinists Joanne Kubiak and Robert Sek, and reminded his audience to observe the restaurant’s coronavirus precautions while enjoying the sumptuous three-course dinner prepared by Biviano’s chefs, Sam and Hanna.
Current COVID-19 health restrictions call for under 100 people allowed at restaurants like Biviano’s.
Mr Kumar had earlier planned a nostalgic gala black-tie dinner and ball for hundreds of guests to raise much-needed funds for local charities.
These plans have been reset for 2021 so he dedicated this year’s simple celebration to the charities his business has supported over the last six years.
Dr Byrne, a supporter of local charities raising awareness on homelessness, has expressed her concerns on the difficulties of holding charity events due to public gathering restrictions in venues such as Bivianos, which she described as “a favourite restaurant in the Hills that has created lots of jobs for our young people.”
Dr Byrne thanked Mr Kumar and his management team for their “perseverance to carry on during the COVID-19 restrictions still servicing the Hills community as we are in it stronger together.”
When the Stage 1 restrictions started in March, Mr Kumar closed the restaurant only for a day to map out ways to serve his customers in isolation, and unwittingly developed a take-away and home delivery service while maintaining the quality of Biviano’s bespoke foods and wines.
“Biviano’s follows NSW government guidelines by heart even if we have a big space our guests can safely move about, and high ceiling and big windows we can open yet we strictly observe hygiene and protection for our staff, guests and providers,” Mr Kumar said.
“We offer sumptuous foods on our menu, and our service is always welcoming because we want people who come out to dine with us to feel happy, safe and enjoying their Biviano’s experience and views.”
If you haven’t heard what’s going on at Biviano’s these days, it’s worth a look. They have been packaging whatever is listed on their menu, including the popular High Tea For Your Soul, and serving their customers remotely with fine dining packages with inclusions such as cutleries and fineries a dining table would require if they were dining at Biviano’s.
While some local restaurants closed temporarily, Biviano’s kept its fine dining service open seven days for lunch and dinner in line with government guidelines.
Thus, amazingly we can say Biviano’s has been almost reborn vibrant and resilient as a result of the pandemic.
Chefs Sam and Hanna created a special menu to ensure Biviano’s customers continue to enjoy the food and dining experience catering for smaller number of guests dining in according to restrictions.
They also kickstarted a takeaway and home-delivery of its signature “High Tea For Your Soul” menu and dishes packaged with everything included for the home dinner table that customers would require if they were dining in person at Biviano’s.
Biviano’s future plans for “new service” is to give advice to their customers through video and Live-Zoom for special food dishes suggestions and how customers can set up the table and arrange the foods at home, Mr Hosny said.
“Biviano’s has become creative to make people happy,” Mr Hosny added.
Biviano’s Italian and Seafood Restaurant, at 628 Old Northern Road, Dural NSW, is open seven days for Lunch & Dinner. To book, phone (02) 9651 2022 or visit www.bivianosdural.com
This writer was a guest at Bivianos 20th Anniversary Charities Dinner.
