Address: 1978 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee
Website: celesta.restaurant
Cuisine: Vegan comfort food
Chef: Melanie Manuel
Mood: Homey and elegant
Pricing: $7-15
As dine-in service at restaurants has gradually returned in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, Celesta Restaurant on Milwaukee’s East Side remains closed to the public indefinitely.
“For me, it didn’t feel right,” said chef and owner Melanie Manuel. “It didn’t feel right for our specific space, our staff and just for what we believe is the reality of the situation.”
Relying solely on contactless pick-up and third-party delivery, business at the vegan eatery has been “so far, so good,” she said.
A few menu items have emerged as mid-day favorites among the remote workforce in the area. Diners at home are either craving lighter eats like the Balance Bowl or meals like the Buffalo Seitan ‘Chicken’ Sandwich, which could be a portable option for a socially-distant business lunch at a nearby park, said Manuel.
She also suggests spicing up a lunchtime Zoom meeting by ordering takeout or a ready-made meal pack, and leaving it on the client’s doorstep beforehand.
While Celesta has found creative ways to continue serving up its vegan comfort food, Manuel has cooked up some projects of her own.
Earlier this year, she struck a partnership with Whitewater-based Toppers Pizza to develop some plant-based options for its menu. The chain introduced three vegan pizzas at its Madison-area locations, with plans for a national rollout in October.
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