(From left) Justine, Jin and Vanessa, who opened a fusion food restaurant in Kuching amidst the pandemic, said it has been difficult to attract customers during the MCO.
KUCHING (July 14): Restaurants and cafes are hopeful they will soon be able to welcome customers to dine in at their premises, as Sarawak enters Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) today.
Business owners Jin Ling, Justine Yong and Vanessa Valentine, who opened a fusion food restaurant in Kuching named Stardust Cafe amidst the pandemic, noted that it was difficult to attract customers during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
“As our cafe was opened during MCO, it has affected us tremendously,” they told The Borneo Post.
“We are constantly on our toes discovering ways to attract customers’ attention to purchase food from a cafe that they have never yet had the opportunity to experience personally and physically.
“There is always a slight difference in quality when food is served fresh between dine in and in takeaway boxes. We try very hard to avoid disappointing our customers’ expectation in the quality of food we serve.”
The trio said it has always been their dream to open and operate a cafe, which they did on May 13 this year at Saradise.
As a pork-free cafe lounge, Stardust Cafe serves Asian-Western favourites, welcoming everyone of all ages and ethnicity.
Stardust Cafe serves Asian-Western favourites, welcoming everyone of all ages and ethnicity.
“Since Stardust Cafe has only operated for a month, we have yet to obtain a full analysis and prediction of our customers’ preference. I believe everyone would prefer to go on a healthier diet and be more wary of crowded areas after this pandemic,” they said.
In anticipation of welcoming customers to dine in, the cafe owners affirm that they are able to provide a safe environment, being a spacious lounge cafe serving plenty of healthy food options such as avocado-mashed waffles and salads.
“We are the first black-themed minimalist interior designed cafe in Kuching. Stardust is designed as a cafe lounge purposely for customers to book for private events and special functions.
The cafe owners affirm that they are able to provide a safe environment, being a spacious lounge cafe serving plenty of healthy food options.
“The cafe is designed to look and feel broad instead of crowded with tables and is separated into two parts: As customers walk into the cafe, it projects an art gallery atmosphere with a special carved wall with the name ‘Stardust’ on it and walls with paintings on it.
“The back of the cafe is separated into a private function room specially designed to have a mesmerising starry night sky in an outdoor garden-themed atmosphere under our built-in stars shimmering on the ceiling.
“I hope that when the MCO is lifted, our customers are able to taste our delicious food and experience our hospitality.”