Neil Perry to close Rockpool: "It's the end of an era"

After 27 years of serving foodies the finest Australian produce and award-winning wines, Neil Perry will close his flagship Sydney restaurant Rockpool next month

"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 announced in a statement

Perry added the decision to close Rockpool on July 30 was not one "you make lightly," but was looking forward to the next culinary chapter.

"It's completely the end of an era. But I feel like it's the start of a new one,” he told Good Food.

“It's heartbreaking in a way but we've got a really strong idea of what we want to do," Perry said.

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The current location of Rockpool will become home to Perry’s new casual venture, Eleven Bridge, set to open on August 8.

“Eleven Bridge will offer the same premium, sustainable produce, sourced locally with world-class service, but it will do so in a more relaxed, a la carte style,” the website revealed.

As head of the successful restaurant group, Perry - who also owns Sydney’s Rockpool Bar and Grill on Hunter Street - admitted the successful CBD steak house partly led to the decision to close his three-hatted Rockpool Sydney restaurant.

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"When we moved [Rockpool] Bridge Street [Sydney], we really thought we'd get out from underneath the big shadow of Bar and Grill. But we'd have at least 100 people a month who would go to the wrong restaurant. It just got to the point that it was driving us completely crazy," Perry said

Perry confirmed Rockpool’s executive chef Phil Wood will be staying on at Eleven Bridge, as will head sommelier Sebastian Crowther and restaurant manager Silvio Brentan.

While the news of Rockpool closing may bring a tear to most fine dining foodies, Perry assures diners that there's much to look forward to.

“Sydney has been really kind to us. Lots of places don't last 27 years and we are amazingly blessed to have done that."

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