La Camera returns for takeaway

Following the sad news of its temporary closure last month, the family team at La Camera Southgate will reopen for takeaway on June 1.  

With 45 years of history in Melbourne and having operated from Southgate for 21 years, owner Lino Scidone said the restaurant’s forced closure last month due to the impacts of COVID-19 was a day that nearly “scarred him for life.” 

After being forced to stand down all of his staff on March 22, many of whom are overseas nationals, he said he was relieved to be able to call them back for the reopening as a “one-stop food store” on June 1.

And in a very special return out of retirement, the La Camera family’s matriarch Nonna Chiara, will join the revival to prepare some of her signature dishes for locals to enjoy while in isolation. 

Mr Scidone said La Camera would also offer a range of dinner and grocery packs to assist Southbankers during the crisis. 

“We will reopen in first week in June with everyone working behind the scenes preparing new menus for takeaway,” Mr Scidone said. 

“Pasta and pizza are a given, but food prepared from our kitchen, to be taken home frozen or fresh picked up or delivered contact-free by our own staff and a special drive through service, will be also be available.  Pre-orders, deli options, bread, milk, everything is on the table for what will be a long recovery back, but we hope Mr [Scott] Morrison will get us all back to work in the restaurant by June or July, with some social distancing rules in place.”

“It’s been such a buzz to see everyone so keen to get back to work, nervous yes, but this team has made me feel 20 again. Thanks guys, let’s put this institution back on the map!”  

La Camera will also team up with its sister venue Waterslide Bar, which will be offering take-home cocktails and beverages, as well as online cocktail courses from June 1 #june1strelaunch.

For more information visit lacamerasouthgate.com or call 9699 3600 •