Merivale expands Totti empire with Japanese/Italian venture
Justin Hemmes Merivale empire continues to grow, this time with opening of new Japanese/Italian venture, Good Luck Restaurant Lounge in Sydney’s CBD.
Merivale describes the restaurant, which will open early next year in the basement of the historic Burns Philp & Co building on Bridge Street, as Totti’s with a side of soy sauce.
The restaurant is designed to take diners back to Tokyo’s 1970s underground scene.
Good Luck Restaurant Lounge is the brainchild of Merivale executive chef Mike Eggert, who has delivered five iterations of his famed Italian restaurant in Sydney and one in Victoria.
Oti opened in May in the Ivy Precinct as a lunchtime takeaway restaurant. This iteration of Totti, which was the most recent to open, gained immediate populartio as people queued for sandwiches and pizza slices.
To research Good Luck Restaurant Lounge Eggert and Hemmes travelled to Japan for a tasting tour.
“Pinbone, leaned into a mix of Italian and Chinese cuisine but Good Luck takes more inspiration from Tokyo.
Think Totti’s but then add soy, dashi, vinegar with fresh herbs, citrus and chilli. It’s just a fun name and who doesn’t take a gamble when opening a venue?” Eggert said in a statement.
“It’s going to be a fun vibe, maybe a bit wild but not stuffy or elitist. It’s got that feel where you know you’ll lose track of time...it’s just great food with a side of party.”
Hemmes has several plans for 2024, including opening Middle Eastern restaurant Jimmy’s Falafel on Oxford
Street in Paddington near Merivale spots Fred’s and Charlie Parkers.
There are also plans to open a new George St bar.
Jonathan Jackson, 12th December 2023
