Merivale has announced one of its signature restaurant brands Totti’s will open in the Lorne Hotel in February next year.
The group acquired the Victorian pub in May 2021, and will launch Totti’s on the ground floor, with executive chef team Mike Eggert and Matt Germanchis (Former Movida) spearheading the concept.
It marks the fifth Totti’s location for Merivale, which originally launched the Eggert-fronted restaurant in Bondi before branching out to the CBD, Three Weeds in Rozelle and Allianz Stadium.
“It is an amazing opportunity to bring Totti’s laidback style and signature dishes to one of the most iconic coastal locations in Australia that is Lorne,” says Eggert.
“Totti’s is a restaurant where you can walk off the beach for a quick bite and glass of wine or stay for a long lunch with friends and families, which fits Lorne to a tee and pairs perfectly with the ‘choose your own adventure’ nature of the menu.”
Around 60 per cent of the menu will be familiar to Sydneysiders, with the chef team developing dishes that will be unique to the Lorne location, with Germanchis leveraging local connections to create produce-driven plates.
“I cannot wait to build a menu with Matt Germanchis that heroes the local producers he has longstanding relationships with, and the unicorn finds around this region,” says Eggert.
“The collaboration between his expertise in wood-fired cooking, extensive knowledge of the local seafood and Totti’s classic menu is a match made in heaven.”
Diners can expect antipasti, the signature puffy bread, house-made pasta as well as dishes that will revolve around local calamari, mussels, crayfish and King George whiting.
Wines will also have a local edge, with the list to be rounded out with drops from Victorian producers.
It’s been a busy year for Merivale, which now encompasses 80 venues and venues and counting. Official launch date for Totti’s Lorne to come.