For its first Victorian venue, now confirmed to be a Totti's at the Lorne Hotel, Merivale will harness the Surf Coast connections of chef Matt Germanchis to cook some of the state's best catch and serve it in a bright and clean trattoria-style room for 200 people.

With its approachable Italian dining, Totti's has taken Sydney by storm since the first restaurant opened in Bondi in 2019. It's now expanded to four sites in the city, all built around simple, produce-forward plates that can be mixed and matched.

Signatures include dozens of antipasti, a wide range of pasta dishes and dome-shaped flatbread from the wood-fired oven that is a hit among TikTokers.

At Lorne, set to open in early February, Merivale executive chef (and creator of Totti's) Mike Eggert tells Good Food he plans to combine the Totti's formula with the best of the Surf Coast's produce.

Germanchis, who is executive chef at Lorne Hotel, has an enviable contact book of fishermen in the area after running Anglesea's Captain Moonlite since 2016 followed by his fishmonger with snacks, Fish by Moonlite.

"The suppliers we work with, especially on the Surf Coast, are really focused on the Surf Coast," he says. "They don't go to other regions or go into Melbourne."

He says Totti's is a great match for Lorne's many holidaymakers, who will be able to walk in off the beach and order Apollo Bay lobster pasta, wood-grilled King George whiting or Lakes Entrance sardines.

Germanchis and Eggert are developing the menu and testing dishes at the moment, while the refit of hotel's ground floor is being completed. Frequent Merivale design collaborators Akin Atelier and Snoop Studio are working with CEO Justin Hemmes and his sister, Bettina Hemmes, on the fitout. Germanchis's partner Gemma Gange has moved from front-of-house to the styling team.

"There's a lot of reference from the Totti's we've done before," says Eggert. "But like all the Totti's, it's got its own uniqueness."

That includes a kitschy bar area inspired by a 1970s ski chalet, with two large fireplaces and cosy couches. Unlike the Bondi original, Lorne will not have any outdoor seating. Small nooks will help break up the large L-shaped dining room, which seats 200.

Merivale bought the Lorne Hotel in May 2021 and say this is only the first stage of their development of the beachfront hotel. Third-floor tenant Coda is staying put this summer.

"At this point in time, we are focusing all of our attention on Totti's Lorne, and are yet to make final decisions on what is next for the Lorne Hotel," the company said in a statement.

Opens February 2023 at 176 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne, merivale.com