Cyberjaya restaurant offers in-car dining as SOPs continue to pinch

While the movement restrictions implemented to curb the spread of Covid-19 have caused havoc on the food and beverage scene, one restaurant in Cyberjaya is rolling with the punches and taking the opportunity to give customers a new twist on eating out.

Like many other food outlets, Padi House saw a drastic drop in business due to the movement control order (MCO) enforced on Jan 13 – as much as 80%, according to a spokesman.

Most eateries were forced to close down or rely on takeaway and delivery, the only method of serving customers allowed until today.

But Padi House decided to do things a little differently.

“We saw people sharing on social media that they’re having their meals in their cars, with a board as a table.

“So we thought perhaps we could have this too, and serve proper meals with plates and cutlery just like a dining-in experience,” the spokesman told MalaysiaNow.

Customers simply drive up to the entrance where employees hand out laminated menus. Once the MySejahtera app has been scanned, orders are made from the car and a number placed on their windscreen.

When their orders are ready, customers are given a table that latches on to the steering wheel. After that, they can sit back and enjoy their meal from the comfort of their car.

A slight honk and a wave signals to the staff that they are done. The paraphernalia for their “dining-in” experience is collected and taken back to the restaurant to be cleaned and sanitised, ready for the next customer.

The spokesman said the inspiration for the idea came from airline meals which can be served quickly and are easy to eat.

But the in-car dining experience is not all that Padi House wants to offer its customers.

“We are now adding an outdoor theatre experience to make it more enjoyable and not so boring,” the spokesman said.

Under the current phase of MCO, expected to run until Feb 18, dining-in at restaurants was prohibited until today.

Now, customers are allowed to dine in although seating is capped at a maximum of two people per table to allow for physical distancing and other health measures.