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Martha Stewart cooked up a commotion in Bondi on Wednesday.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I found myself strolling towards the eastern precincts of Sydney yesterday, taking a brief respite from my “In Conversation With” engagement during the vibrant Vivid Festival. The allure of local shopping and a delectable meal beckoned, and I couldn’t resist the call!

She decided to eat at Totti’s, a well-known spot frequented by both local and global stars, apparently on the advice of a friend.

The restaurant owned by Merivale, renowned for its delicious bread, small dishes, and signature creamy pastas, is adored by the trendy crowd residing in the eastern suburbs.

Since it’s well-known for being one of Sydney’s finest eateries, we sought opinions from people about what America’s renowned culinary expert had to say about her meal there.

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Subsequently, after a brief but fruitless search, we managed to locate an individual who had been dining there at the time and accidentally heard Martha’s thoughts.

They expressed their delight, mentioning that she enjoyed herself immensely and finished all her food. Furthermore, they praised her for being genuinely kind and outgoing, as well as inquiring many questions from the staff.

The author of the cookbook savored a variety of antipasti dishes, along with their distinctive wood-oven baked bread, yet our secret agent didn’t linger long enough to observe whether she tasted any of the main courses.

According to our source, she sipped on Sanpellegrino sparkling water as she dined, and appeared quite intrigued by the produce, peppering the waitstaff with numerous questions.

Prior to having lunch at Justin Hemmes’ high-end restaurant on Gould Street, Martha was initially seen window-shopping at some luxury stores.

At some point, she visited the main store of SIR The Label, a high-end fashion brand well-liked by those living in the exclusive eastern suburbs.

Bystanders at the shop were taken aback as the famous American figure effortlessly stepped inside from the street, exuding elegance in a stylish dark blue velvet coordinated sweatsuit.

she completed the look with a coordinating blue sweater vest on top, and layered a warm brown cardigan over it for extra cold weather protection.

With her typical short, grey hairstyle, Martha completed her comfortable ensemble by wearing a matching pair of grey sneakers.

A fellow shopper said Martha ‘seemed chill’ as she looked through the racks. 

‘She came into store but she didn’t buy anything. She was just browsing,’ they said.

It appears she might have been spending a casual day near Gould Street. Her visit was brief, more like a quick errand than a long stay. She came across as very friendly.

Upon entering the boutique, Martha was observed examining various coats, and she also selected a brown blazer with an online price tag of $560.

However, she left empty-handed and was later seen arriving at Totti’s.

Since its debut at The Royal Bondi in December 2018, Totti quickly became known as the go-to spot for Sydney’s high society.

The much-admired menu, crafted by executive chef Mike Eggert, boasts a variety of Italian specialties, including pastas, appetizers (antipasti), and their signature “risen” wood-oven bread.

As a devoted follower, I’m excited to share that Merivale’s dining spots have expanded to three fantastic locations! The buzzing venues at Bondi, Rozelle, and George Street are now the go-to casual hangouts for Sydney locals, known for their trendy vibes.

The interior design of Totti is reminiscent of a traditional Italian tavern, with antique wooden chairs, bare walls, and massive olive trees adorning the spacious outdoor area.

The restaurant has gained such a distinguished reputation in Sydney that it was seemingly imitated in Paris at one point.

In France last year, a venue that looked identical to a well-known one was found, except the ending “s” was missing from the name “Totti,” making it simply “Toti.

A distinctive resemblance between two restaurants, one being French and the other Australian, was pointed out by the popular Instagram account Miss Double Bay, with the observation that the similarity was remarkably striking.

Although Totti in France lacks their well-known puff bread, they offer an alternative with garlic and olive oil bread, along with other tantalizing options such as burrata, schnitzel, and tiramisu on the menu.

Justin, 52, broke his silence on the apparent copycat in January last year. 

He responded to the news by saying, “I’ve heard it put like this: ‘Imitating someone is the purest form of compliment.’ However, I’m not entirely convinced.

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson even boldly challenged a Parisian restaurant that was strikingly similar to their own.

The pair made an effort beyond the norm during their radio broadcast, reaching out to a twin-themed eatery to publicly address any issues they might have had.

‘It’s here in Australia. Are you the same company?’ Kyle pressed a staff member.

‘Oh no, we are not the same company actually,’ the employee replied.

Kyle questioned, “Isn’t the logo identical, including the font used in the logo? You seem positive that we aren’t the same entity?” To this, the man replied confidently, “Indeed, I am certain that we are separate entities.

A team member shared that a new Parisian restaurant launched last year in 2022, whereas Totti’s initially debuted in Bondi, Sydney as early as 2018.

He also noted his boss had ‘never been to Sydney’, let alone heard of the iconic Merivale chain.

The Merivale group, boasting over 80 establishments scattered throughout Sydney, is spearheaded by the billionaire Justin.

Several well-known eateries in Sydney, such as the Coogee Pavilion, The Allawah, and The Beresford Hotel, belong to the same ownership group.

A short while prior to her unexpected visit to Totti’s, Martha was spotted disembarking at Sydney airport around dawn.

Upon my arrival in Australia, I was warmly welcomed by the airport staff who held up a sign displaying my last name, Stewart, in anticipation of my visit for the Vivid Sydney ‘In Conversation’ event.

A well-known figure in home cooking, Martha, wore a cheerful grin while greeting fans at her terminal, carrying a customized travel bag emblazoned with ‘MARTHA’.

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2025-05-28 09:19

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