THAT'S A WRAP

“RUSTIC AND GENEROUS with plenty of flavour!” is what you can expect from the food on offer at Jimmy’s Falafel, the new Sydney opening for hospitality juggernaut Merivale. At the helm is chef Simon Zalloua, who drew inspiration from across Egypt, Israel, Syria and Lebanon, his own heritage – and his mum. “There are so many nods to her cooking throughout the menu. A lot of the plant-based dishes are inspired by her.”

Though the venue is far from being only about falafel, the Middle Eastern favourite is where the journey began. “For us, it all started with getting that falafel mix 100 per cent right and everything else seemed to follow,” says Zalloua. “Working closely with [Merivale founder] Justin Hemmes and [chef] Jordan Toft on this project was a fantastic process – they both have excellent palates and an appreciation for the cuisine. The menu is packed full of simple, flavoursome serves that are satisfying for the soul.”

The venue, named after one of Hemmes’ closest friends, is made up of two parts: a dine-in restaurant and a takeaway offering, for busy CBD lunchtimes. ”I never