A restaurant in France has been confronted after Aussies discovered its striking resemblance to a popular Australian eatery.
Totti, an Italian restaurant based in Paris, shares several notable similarities with Justin Hemmes’ Totti’s – a Merivale chain with Italian cuisine and locations in Bondi, Rozelle, Sydney’s CBD, and now Lorne in Victoria.
The French ‘cut copy’ was spotted by famous Australian Instagram account Miss Double Bay, who called the likeness between both restaurants ‘uncanny’.
The account shared several comparative images, including the restaurants’ very similar menus and logos.
‘It has come to my attention that we have a doppelganger in our midst – Totti (with no ‘s’), a Italian restaurant located in Paris. The like4like is UNCANNY,’ she wrote.
A restaurant in France has been confronted after Aussies discovered its striking resemblance to a popular Australian eatery. Pictured (l-r): Totti restaurant entrance in Paris, Totti’s restaurant entrance in Bondi
‘Not to mention the misleading nature of their IG handle (@totti.restaurant), which even has my girl @jackieo_official accidentally tagging the wrong venue. @merivale get the lawyers on standby.’
Merivale’s Totti’s menu, created by executive chef Mike Eggert, features an array of Italian dishes from pasta, antipasti and its famous ‘puffy’ wood-fired bread.
While the French Totti doesn’t have their bread on their menu, it does have a garlic and olive oil bread, as well as several similar dishes like burrata, schnitzel and tiramisu.
Totti, an Italian restaurant based in Paris, shares a striking resemblance to Justin Hemmes’ Totti’s – a Merivale chain with an Italian cuisine and locations in Bondi, Rozelle, Sydney ‘s CBD and now Lorne in Victoria
The French ‘cut copy’ was spotted by famous Australian Instagram account Miss Double Bay, who called the similarities of both restaurants ‘uncanny’. Pictured: Food and beverages at Totti’s Bondi
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson confronted the Parisian restaurant that appears almost identical to a famous Australian chain on Tuesday.
The radio duo went the extra length on their radio show by contacting the doppelgänger restaurant to call them out.
‘It’s here in Australia. Are you the same company?’ Kyle pressed a staff member.
Merivale’s Totti’s menu, created by executive chef Mike Eggert, features an array of Italian dishes from pasta, antipasti and its famous ‘puffy’ wood-fired bread. Pictured here is their famous veal schnitzel (left) and tiramisu (right)
Even the menu is ‘uncanny’ – Totti in Paris also serves schnitzel and tiramisu
‘Oh no, we are not the same company actually,’ the employee replied.
‘But the logo is exactly the same, the fonts the logo, are you sure it’s not the same?’ Kyle continued, to which the man answered, ‘I’m certain we are not the same.’
The staff member revealed the Parisian restaurant opened in 2022, while Totti’s first opened in Bondi, Sydney, back in 2018.
While the French Totti doesn’t have their puffed bread on their menu, it does have a garlic and olive oil bread. It also offers antipasti dishes like burrata
Merivale CEO and Totti’s owner Justin Hemmes (left) has since been made aware of the copycat restaurant. Pictured with Daniel Ricciardo (right) at Bar Totti’s in Sydney’s CBD
He also noted his boss had ‘never been to Sydney’, let alone heard of the iconic Merivale chain.
Jackie also mentioned that she had accidentally tagged the imitation restaurant while enjoying the culinary delights at Totti’s Bondi.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Justin Hemmes and his representatives for comment.
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson confronted the Parisian restaurant that appears almost identical to a famous Australian chain. Pictured: Merivale Totti’s Instagram account
The Totti staff member told Kyle and Jackie O that his boss had ‘never been to Sydney’, let alone heard of the iconic Merivale chain. Pictured: French Totti Instagram page
Jackie also mentioned that she had accidentally tagged the French restaurant while enjoying the culinary delights at Totti’s Bondi
Merivale CEO and Totti’s owner Hemmes has since been made aware of the copycat restaurant.
‘Don’t they say “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?”‘ he said, according to Good Food Magazine.
‘I’m not sure I agree with that.’
