Totti’s Rozelle

According to executive chef Mike Eggert, Totti's Rozelle might just be the nicest one in the group. And he’s not wrong. The Merivale team have expertly transformed the 130-year-old 3 Weeds hotel into an elegant modern sapce; channelling the original Totti’s in Bondi by way of exposed timber rafters and those plump cactus leaves decorating the walls.

While the original is an Amalfi-style spot designed long lunches and people watching, and the CBD location rocks a fast-casual energy at all times, Totti’s Rozelle is a more family-friendly space – one that’s equally suited to a laid-back Sunday dinner as it is Friday night drinks.

The vast kitchen allows for additional cooking tools, such as a Brazilian-style charcoal grill, which means the menu is slightly different here. But of course, you can still get handmade pastas and large-format steaks, or create a choose-your-own adventure experience by ordering the Sydney-famous puffy bread along with a couple antipasti. There’s also a dessert bar, where kids are encouraged to take a seat and order scoops of gelato, elaborate sundaes and banana splits.

The restaurant is essentially one large room but it’s got nooks, intimate spots and lots of natural light thanks to a sky light and a pretty atrium garden. The slanting, acoustic-panelled ceiling at the back of the pub is not just a clever way to absorb the hubbub, it’s striking and graceful. A meal here is beautiful for plenty of reasons.