Neil Perry’s Rockpool in Sydney is closing its doors
NEIL Perry has made the “difficult decision” to close the doors of his flagship restaurant, Rockpool. He has new plans for the place.
ONE OF Australia’s great restaurants, Rockpool, which has accumulated 66 chef hats since opening its doors in 1989, is set to close its doors for good.
Neil Perry, who has been at the head of the fine-dining hub for 27 years, said the “difficult decision” wasn’t an easy one to make, but looked forward to reopening the space as a more “casual” dining experience — which will be renamed Eleven Bridge.
“It has been a difficult decision, having dedicated the past 27 years to making Rockpool Est. 1989 one of Australia’s best and most awarded restaurants,” Mr Perry said in a statement.
“However, after much consideration and conversation, we have decided to move away from the traditional concept of fine dining that Rockpool Est. 1989 has forged its reputation on.”
Perry, who admitted there will be tears during the last service at Rockpool next month, said the decision also stemmed from the frustration caused by having two restaurants with similar names in such proximity to one another — the other location being Rockpool Bar & Grill on nearby Hunter Street.
“Our motivations to close Rockpool and open Eleven Bridge are varied but the most significant is that we have two Rockpool restaurants in proximity, and we have at least 100 guests turn up to the wrong one every month,” Perry told Business Insider.
“We’re moving away from that traditional concept of fine dining but maintaining all the elements that are crucial to great dining; excellent produce and service, and a contemporary style.”
Perry’s Rockpool isn’t the first fine-dining restaurant to shut up shop in recent weeks. One of Melbourne’s most influential chef and restaurateurs, Andrew McConnell, is closing his bespoke Moon Under Water restaurant, to launch his first pure Chinese dining destination — Ricky & Pinky.
In Sydney, chef and owner of Marque, Mark Best, made the decision to close his trendy Surry Hills restaurant after 17 years in business. Awarded restaurant of the year in 2012, Mr Best said his decision was difficult, but the right time for change.
“It is of course with mixed emotions that I have made this decision, however it seems sensible, timely and prudent to do so. The personal investment in a small business takes its toll, and it’s with a combination of a sense of loss, pride and relief that I bring this phase of my career to a close.”
Rockpool’s final service will be on July 30, and Perry’s new restaurant, Eleven Bridge, will reopen nine days later. It is understood the restaurants current executive chef, Phil Wood, will stay with the team when it reopens, and will give diners a more casual experience, in a “more relaxed, a la carte style” setting.