Neil Perry‘s new Double Bay restaurant set for mid-year opening
Famed Australian restaurateur Neil Perry has been widely reported as retired from the restaurant industry, however those reports seem to have missed the mark.
The man who brought us such dining delights as Rockpool recently confirmed he will open a restaurant in Sydney's Double Bay by mid-year.
In a 40-year career, this venue will be Perry’s first ever solo venture.
"It's 100 per cent me, the house is on the line," he says.
The restaurant is separate from the Rockpool Dining Group, with whom he still has a vested interest.
"I remain a shareholder, so I've still got a vested interest there, and I'll continue to promote and mentor."
The Rockpool Dining Group is behind Rockpool, Spice Temple, Rosetta (restaurants Perry sold out of), Sake and The Cut, as well as several more casual dining experiences such as Munich Brauhaus, Beerhaus and El Camino Cantina.
Perry will not recreate those dining experiences, instead focusing on "a simple little local restaurant", which is yet to be named and is set to open in May or June.
"It'll be my first time back in a neighbourhood since the Blue Water Grill days at Bondi," said the chef.
The restaurant will seat 170 people and will focus on plant-based dishes and salads during the day. There will also be a grill, however the venue will not be a steakhouse.
"It's my food – for want of a better word, 'modern' Australian," Perry said.
The restaurant will be located in the Pallas House development in Double Bay, next door to the Royal Oak Hotel.
The current Pallas House is undergoing a $13.5 million transformation.
Perry’s restaurant interior will be designed by ACME (Mimi's, the Grounds) along with designer David Caon, who impressed Perry with his interiors for the Qantas 787 Dreamliner.
"I'm really looking forward to feeding the people, maybe sitting at the bar with a glass of wine. I think I'm done with [opening] fine diners," Perry said.
Irit Jackson, 27th January 2021
