Merivale’s Justin Hemmes and chef Mike Eggert open new Sydney CBD basement venue Good Luck Restaurant Lounge
Justin Hemmes’ new Sydney CBD restaurant isn’t Italian, it’s not Japanese and it’s not fusion. But it is fun, the Merivale boss has promised.
Confidential
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What exactly is Merivale’s new venue Good Luck Restaurant Lounge about? Even boss Justin Hemmes isn’t quite sure.
It’s not Italian. It’s not Japanese. But the one thing he does know it will be, is fun.
“It’s a sensory delight. I really want the guest to experience because I can’t do it justice,” he said. “And ultimately it’s up for the guest to decide.”
The basement restaurant and bar in the historic Burns Philp & Co building is the latest project from the group’s executive chef Mike Eggert. Hemmes’ sister Bettina has also styled the 200-seat capacity venue which has two bars and multiple dining spaces.
Three years in the making, the Bridge St CBD venue aims to capture the spirit of the 1970s’ underground scene of cities like Brooklyn, Tokyo or Hong Kong.
“We aren’t pigeonholing ourselves with this venue,” Hemmes said. “The food lends itself to the environment. It’s not fusion, it’s Mike own’s style. It’s a delight for your senses.”
Eggert, of the groups Totti’s fame, said the menu is dominated by the venue’s massive woodfire hearth and three woks. There is pasta alongside noodles.
“Does the cuisine have a name? All I know is that it will be heaps of fun and our guests will tell us what they think it is”, Eggert said in a statement.
Eggert is supported by Sri Lankan-born Head Chef Prince Jeganathan who has come over from MuMu and Mr Wong.
Hemmes adds the historic nature of the building has added to the theatre of the venue.
“We’ve had a lot of fun with it and we want to bring fun to dining,” he said.
“The underground space brought that to life. It feels like escapism. We want to take you on a journey.”
The wine list is curated by sommelier Jacqueline Doucette, and cocktails have been created by the group’s award-winning Cocktail Lead James Irvine. He’s recommends guests lean into the drama of the venue and order the Matcha Kit Kat with vodka, green tea, white chocolate and coconut created tableside for a bit of fun.
The venue is set to open on 24th April, days after Merivale will also launch a new vinyl bar, JAM.
“I can assure you that I didn’t plan to open these venues a, the same week and b, at this time,” Hemmes said, referring to the cost of living crisis.
“But everything we plan or create is for decades time, not just for the next 12 months.”
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