Overview
Neil Perry's 'fine-casual' eatery, Eleven Bridge, has been open just over six months and is already shutting up shop. The institutional site of the three-hatted Rockpool, which opened back in 1989, will be reinvented yet again as it comes under the Rockpool Dining Group fold. The group has officially taken over the space and will open a new restaurant mid-2017.
While little detail has been revealed, we do know that the restaurant will be traditional Cantonese — a pleasant, if not seemingly random surprise. Though all employees have been offered the opportunity to stay with the group, one major change is that executive chef Phil Wood will no longer be at the helm. Wood, who has been head chef at the space since 2009, will move on to new projects and is certainly a chef worth watching. In his place, Eleven Bridge sous chef Peter Robertson will take the reigns on this new venture.
The group has made a lot of changes since joining forces with Urban Purveyor Group and forming back in November, with Rosetta set to open this autumn in Sydney CBD, Perry's Burger Project recent openings in Brisbane and Parramatta and the launch of two takeaway spinoffs, Fratelli Famous and Saké Jr. Their combined portfolio of eateries is now at 49 venues and they expect their portfolio to grow to more than 80 venues in 2017 alone.
If you haven't been able to make it to Eleven Bridge yet, you still have time to drop your wallet as it will be open through dinner service on Saturday, May 13. We recommend the next-level fried chicken and perfectly medium rare Cape Grim rib from the a la carte menu. Or just pop in for a drink and a snack from the recently launched bar menu. But, if this is your last chance at seeing chef Wood in the kitchen, then there's really no better time to splurge for his tasting menu.
Rockpool Dining Group's new Cantonese restaurant will be located at 11 Bridge Street, Sydney, and will open mid-2017. Watch this space for future announcements.