But the simple pie has been given a very expensive glow-up by one of the country’s top chefs.

With his new Sydney restaurant currently closed to in-house diners due to the Covid-19 lockdown, Neil Perry has recreated a $99 beef pie, large enough to feed a family of four, which he is selling at the door to the hungry masses at home.

The pastry creation is filled with Coppertree Farms beef and butter with a hearty dose of Guinness, and Perry says it is best enjoyed with a side of potato puree and braised peas.

The veteran chef’s new Double Bay restaurant, Margaret, was due to open on June 26 – which was the first day of lockdown restrictions in Greater Sydney. Since then, it has been forced to suspend bookings for the rest of the year.

But hungry diners can still enjoy Perry’s food – including the gourmet pie, as well as delicious sandwiches and burgers – by ordering via email and picking up their order at the restaurant door.

Perry said there would be 10 family pies on offer every day.

Margaret restaurant said it was looking forward to welcoming diners back to its Double Bay premises as soon as it was safe and possible to do so.

“We have made the executive decision to block off our online reservations until the end of the year, due to the unforeseen circumstances of this current Covid-19 situation taking NSW by storm,” the restaurant said on its website.

“We are so thankful and grateful to our community for trying to book in and support us. We don’t take any of you for granted and we cannot wait to welcome you all to Margaret with open arms when it is safe to do so.

“We understand this is frustrating and believe us when we say, we’d rather be in the restaurant serving you, but we ask you kindly to be patient with us while we navigate this uncertain time. We promise we will do everything we can to get in touch with you all and get you a booking as soon as government permits.”