When Sydney hospitality juggernaut Merivale purchased The Lorne Hotel for $38 million in May 2021, we could only speculate as to what Justin Hemmes would be doing to mark the group’s official Victorian debut. Well, the first stage has now been confirmed, with Merivale unveiling plans to turn the ground floor of the iconic Great Ocean Road pub into Totti’s Lorne, mirroring the outrageously popular casual Italian eatery that Mike Eggert first built in Bondi in 2018.
Eggert will work with Surf Coast local Matt Germanchis, Executive Chef of the Lorne Hotel, to transform the current MoVida into Totti’s Lorne with an opening date set for February 2023.
As per an announcement from Merivale, only 60% of Totti’s Lorne will reflect the Sydney originals, while Germanchis will be given enough space to add his own local spin to Eggert’s concept of wood-fired bread, house-made antipasti and grilled snacks.
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Since opening a few years ago, Totti’s has since become one of Merivale’s most salient signature brands, spread out across Totti’s Bondi, Totti’s Rozelle, Bar Totti’s in Sydney CBD and Totti’s Pasta Bar at Allianz Stadium. Totti’s Lorne should easily keep that hype rolling along and hopefully reinvent the concept alongside Victoria’s bountiful produce.
Already it seems Germanchis is leaning deeper into the coastal bent with some of the region’s finest local seafood such as calamari, mussels, crayfish and King George Whiting. As such, I’d expect the drinks list to be equally light and summer-friendly, with Merivale promising to highlight local Victorian vineyards and producers.
“It is an amazing opportunity to bring Totti’s laid-back style and signature dishes to one of the most iconic coastal locations in Australia that is Lorne,” said 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-you-own-adventure nature of the menu.”
The Lorne Hotel
Address: 176 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne VIC 3232
Contact: (02) 9114 7398
Totti’s Lorne opens in February 2023.
