High-end restaurant establishment Penelope’s will be offering diners an ‘Invasion Day’ menu featuring a bizarre set of foods including a ‘halal snack pack’ and fairy bread.
The ritzy business located in Sydney’s Circular Quay has introduced the new menu ahead of Australia Day on Friday.
The restaurant’s owner Cuong Nguyen told Daily Mail Australia the decision to serve the food to customers on the national public holiday was made to respect Indigenous people.
‘We want to show our support and raise awareness for the Indigenous community, and of course serve up the flavours we have experienced growing up in the diverse and multicultural Sydney,’ Mr Nguyen said.
‘Invasion Day is part of a national discussion over the ‘Australia Day’ date. At Penelope’s we don’t only showcase the flavours of Australia, but also its rich culture and diversity.’
High-end restaurant establishment Penelope’s (pictured) will be offering diners an ‘Invasion Day’ menu with a bizarre set of food items
Customers will also be offered a Braised Kangaroo Tail and Salsa Vietnamita.
For many First Nations people, January 26 is regarded as ‘Invasion Day’ or the ‘Day of Mourning’ because it marks the beginning of Australia’s colonisation.
The restaurant hasn’t received comments from diners so far about the menu and the business said it would consider removing the menu if there is a backlash from customers.
The Invasion Day menu (pictured) has been put on the restaurant’s website and was introduced to recognise the significance of Australia for Indigenous Australians
The restaurant’s decision comes as several Australian retailers including supermarket giant Woolworths opted not to stock Australia Day merchandise.
Aldi also followed suit with its decision to stop selling merchandise on January 26 however Coles said it will be continue to stock themed products for the holiday weekend.
Federal opposition leader Peter Dutton urged Aussies to boycott Woolworths following the company’s decision to not stock Australia Day items.
Mr Dutton told Sydney radio station 2GB earlier this month that the move was outrageous.
‘It’s up to customers whether they want to go in and buy the product or not… I think people should boycott Woolworths,’ he said.
The ritzy Circular Quay restaurant will also offer customers fairy bread (pictured) as well as Braised Kangaroo Tail and Salsa Vietnamita on Friday
Woolworths confirmed it wouldn’t be stocking any Australia Day merchandise with a spokesperson saying demand for the items has declined over recent years as they recognise what the date means to different parts of the community.
Several councils across the country have also scrapped citizenship ceremonies with a Vietnam war veteran slamming Sydney’s Waverly Council’s decision to cancel its Australia Day dawn reflection service.
Michael von Berg, a Military Cross recipient who served as a combat soldier in the war, unleashed at the council saying the move is disrespectful to soldiers who fought and died for their country.
‘For God’s sake. It’s a disservice not only to the veteran community but also to First Nations soldiers who fought and died for their country,’ he said.
Penelope’s opened its doors at the Quay Quarter Tower in December last year and offers diners a mix of foods inspired by traditional Vietnamese cuisine as well as other cultural dishes.
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