Overview
If you've been missing Mr Wong's special fried rice, Totti's puffy woodfired bread and Bert's duck liver pâté, we have some good news. While you currently can't go and dine at these restaurants, they can come to you, thanks to Merivale at Home. The Sydney hospitality giant has launched a new delivery service, which is bringing signature meals from its most popular restaurants right to your dining table.
Launching on Monday, April 6, Merivale at Home features a weekly rotating lineup of menus from the group's restaurants, each costing $70–95 for two. Week one includes 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); and a vegetarian menu from Paddington's Fred's with whole roasted cauliflower, jewelled rice with sultanas, chopped tomato salad and chocolate mousse (for $80).
There's also a pizza-heavy menu from Vinnie's — with prosciutto, mortadella, burrata, salad and two pizzas — for $70, and a selection of pasta, cheeses and meats from Totti's in Bondi for ($90), which is continuing to offer its own pick-up takeaway service every night from 5–10pm and lunches on weekdays, including Good Friday.
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).
Fred's at Home
For special occasions — a date night with your housemate, say, Easter or just that you made it to Wednesday — you can also add on a drinks pack ($40–115) of wines and cocktails selected by Merivale Master Sommelier Franck Moreau and Group Bars Manager Sam Egerton to pair with each menu. Wines, cocktails and beers are available to purchase separately, too.
If you prefer to do your own cooking, Merivale at Home also offers produce boxes ($60–100) from some of its suppliers. So, you can get fruit and veg from Parisi, restaurant-quality meats from Haverick, and mussels and snapper from Poulous Bros — without having to make tracks to a supermarket. Each box comes with recipe idea from Alvarez, 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, while it worked out "how to best operate under the government's new takeaway and home delivery guidelines". Since then, it has launched Pick Up at Totti's and, now, Merivale at Home.
To find out more and order from Merivale at Home, head to the website. Orders must be submitted by midnight Monday, April 6 to arrive on Thursday, April 9.
Top images: Mr Wong, Bert's, Vinnie's and Totti's.