Overview
Victorians can't currently visit NSW, but from next month, they'll be able to order meals from some of Sydney's best restaurant to their homes. Hospitality giant Merivale, which has 70 venues across NSW, is bringing its recently launched delivery service Merivale at Home to Melbourne this August.
The food service brings signature meals from Merivale's most popular restaurants — including Mr Wong's special fried rice, Totti's puffy woodfired bread and Bert's duck liver pâté — to your dining table. It features a weekly rotating lineup of menus from the group's restaurants, each costing $70–95 for two people.
You might get Mr Wong's king prawn wontons, kung pao chicken, steamed barramundi and fried rice for ($95); Bert's brioche rolls, duck liver pâté, prime rib, crushed potatoes and butter lettuce salad (for $95); or a vegetarian menu from Paddington's Fred's with whole-roasted cauliflower, jewelled rice with sultanas, chopped tomato salad and chocolate mousse (for $80). Also on offer: shawarma from Jimmy's Falafel and a truffle feast from Hotel Centennial
All the meals arrive "nearly ready to eat", so you just need to add the finishing touches, which is doable by a cooking novice, supposedly, and doesn't require the skills of Dan Hong (Mr Wong) or Danielle Alvarez (Fred's).
Totti's
For special occasions — a date night with your housemate, say, or just that you made it to Wednesday — you can also add on a drinks pack of wines and cocktails selected by Merivale Master Sommelier Franck Moreau pair with each menu. Wines, cocktails and beers are available to purchase separately, too.
Merivale temporarily closed all of its restaurant and bars in late March, in response to the government's ordered close of non-essential indoor venues, and launched Merivale at Home in Sydney as a way of keeping staff employed and using produce from hard-hit suppliers
Merivale at Home is set to launch in Melbourne this August. To find out more and be the first to order, head to the website.
Top images: Mr Wong, Fred's and Bert's.