Merivale is set to open Totti’s, a casual Mediterranean eatery at The Royal this December. Spearheaded by Mike Eggert and Khan Danis, the concept will serve up woodfired meats, hand-crafted pastas and classic Italian cocktails in a relaxed, 185-seater restaurant and courtyard.
Totti’s food is an evolution of Eggert’s Dirty Italian Disco pop-up that won over the hearts and taste buds of Sydneysiders at The Tennyson last year. Fast, easy and suited to all ages, the menu is designed to share and divided by four sections. The first comes from the wood-fired oven with bread cooked to order, torn at the table, dipped in olive oil and salt, and accompanied by small plates of the best local and house-made charcuterie (mortadella, prosciutto, salami), Italian cheeses (burrata, stracciatella, mozzarella and provolone) and seasonal fruits like tomatoes, figs and melon.
Eggert notes that the bread will set the scene for the rest of the meal. “It’s visual, aromatic and very hands on. We want it to feel really communal, where people see a table full of little plates and fresh, steaming bread, and immediately want to tuck in and have fun”.
Next up will be pasta, with 5-6 pastas available daily. Dirty Italian Disco made waves with its playful and flavour-packed selection of pasta, and Eggert is set to lift the bar even higher with fresh pastas packed full of meat, seafood and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Proteins will follow, led by Danis who is well regarded as one of the best wood-fired chefs in the country. Think chicken, fish, house-made sausages and schnitzels cooked on the Josper charcoal oven, alongside a range of sides like Italian-style congi rice, polenta and salads with stone fruit and fresh tomatoes. Fun, classic Italian desserts such as tiramisu, sorbet and a Neapolitan icecream sandwich will complete the feast.
Sam Egerton has created a drinks list of simple, delicious, retro Italian inspired crowd pleasers, with plenty of options that work for those drinking less and even those not drinking at all. There will be a collection of 50 wines, with a focus on small boutique wineries and organic drops with an Italian twist.
Simple, relaxed and perfect for strolling in off the beach or making a night out of it, Totti’s has been inspired by a Mediterranean taverna, with old timber chairs, paired-back walls and huge olive trees taking centre stage in the courtyard.
The Royal has been an iconic watering hole in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs since 1907. Merivale reopened the hotel’s much-loved front bar in September, preserving the classic local as a place to grab a quick drink and game of pool, settle in for a weekend session or catch-up with mates after work.
Totti’s at The Royal
283 Bondi Rd, Bondi
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