In terms of sheer scale, it’s tough to find a Melbourne comparison for Sydney’s Merivale. The hospitality giant operates 70-odd bars and restaurants including Danielle Alvarez’ fire-fuelled eatery Fred’s, Dan Hong-fronted diners Mr Wong and Ms G’s, popular Bondi spot Totti’s, casual Middle Eastern eatery Jimmy’s Felafel, and the three-level beachside behemoth that is Coogee Pavilion.
Now, the group’s takeaway arm, Merivale at Home, is coming to Melbourne, delivering finish-at-home dishes from our neighbours to the north.
“We’ve always had amazing guests from Victoria at our venues, so our expansion into Melbourne was a natural progression,” Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes said in a statement. “Our southern friends are doing it really tough right now – we hope that we can help with the comfort and joy of great meals from our best chefs.”
We think you might like Access. For $12 a month, join our membership program to stay in the know.
SIGN UPFred’s is doing a comforting beef short rib, slow-braised in red wine. It comes with garlic bread and whipped ricotta; roast pumpkin; Jerusalem artichokes; a tart chicory salad; and chocolate-cherry waffles for dessert.
The team at Jimmy’s Falafel is putting on a spread you’re encouraged to eat with your hands. It includes toum, hummus and pickles with Lebanese flatbread; lentil kibbe; and a whole shawarma-spiced chicken; followed by walnut and pistachio baklava.
From Mr Wong, there are pork wontons with sesame-chilli sauce followed by black pepper beef, garlic prawns and special fried rice. And Totti’s is sending down its signature woodfired bread to go with burrata and anchovies for starters; then it’s onto silky, handmade pastas for mains.
Pre-batched cocktails and aperitifs and sommelier-selected wine can be matched to your meal, with group sommelier Franck Moreau on wine and bar manager Sam Egerton on mixed drinks (think Negronis for Totti’s and Martinis for Bert’s).
Merivale at Home is set to launch in Melbourne in early August. Meal boxes cost between $75 and $150 and serve between two and four people. Sign up online for updates.