Sydney hospitality group Merivale is expanding into Victoria for the first time, launching with their beloved Italian restaurant, Totti’s, on the Surf Coast. This Italian eatery will take over the ground floor of the historic Lorne Hotel. Totti’s in Lorne will be the fifth outpost of the brand, after Totti’s Bondi, Totti’s Rozelle, Bar Totti’s in Sydney, and Totti’s Pasta Bar at Allianz Stadium. And after much anticipation, this venue is finally opening this weekend, on Saturday March 11.
Totti’s Lorne
No matter where you’ll sit in the venue, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the beach and bush, while dining on tasty Italian dishes. Located in the heart of town, and a part of the Great Ocean Road for 145 years, the historic building was acquired by Merivale in 2021. Totti’s marks the first stage of the hotel’s transformation. The venture will be led by two of Merivale’s Executive Chefs, Totti’s creator Mike Eggert and Surf Coast local Matt Germanchis.
“We’re stoked that Totti’s is finally opening in Lorne for Victorians to enjoy,” said Eggert. “We’ve crafted a menu that combines Matt’s expertise in local seafood with classic Totti’s dishes allowing you to pick and choose depending on your mood – whether that’s a bite to eat after a long day at the beach alongside a glass of local wine or a selection of dishes for a long afternoon with friends and family.”
The menu
Wander in straight from the beach, and enjoy the best in local seafood and produce, like King George Whiting and Apollo Bay octopus. Expect plenty of laid-back Italian fare, including the famous woodfired bread and signature antipasti. Graze your way through small plates, like smoked albacore tuna, snapper crudo and marinated octopus, as well as larger plates like wood-grilled lamb. There’s heaps of handmade pasta to try, including pappardelle lamb ragu, ziti prawn alla vodka and fettuccine tomato sugo and stracciatella.
End your meal on a sweet note, with Germanchis’ famous gelato recipe, as well as Totti’s tiramisu, banana splits, chocolate torte and affogato.
The drinks will focus on local Victorian vineyards and producers, and feature plenty of crowd-pleasers.
Totti’s will offer a mixture of walk-ins and bookings, so it’ll be perfect for both locals and tourists.
Bookings for Totti’s Lorne will be available from 9am on Wednesday March 8. The restaurant will open at 12pm on Saturday March 11, in time for the long weekend.