Double Bay dining Archives - Double Bay Today

Neil Perry’s Margaret Named Second-Best Steak Restaurant Globally

Margaret in Double Bay has secured the second spot on the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list.

Global Recognition for Local Venue

Margaret, Neil Perry’s Double Bay restaurant, has climbed from third to second place in the latest rankings by The World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants. The announcement places Margaret among the top international venues for steak, recognising its consistent commitment to high-quality local produce and technique.

World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants — *Photo Credit: Margaret/Instagram*

Background and Philosophy

Opened in Double Bay, Margaret was named after Mr Perry’s late mother, whose legacy as a family matriarch inspired the restaurant’s CARE philosophy—focusing on respect for suppliers, staff, community, and the environment. This ethos reflects Mr Perry’s broader career in Australian hospitality, which spans more than 40 years and includes founding Rockpool, Spice Temple, Rosetta, and now Margaret.

The venue is positioned as a neighbourhood restaurant that brings together premium Australian ingredients in a setting focused on comfort, generosity, and a welcoming experience. Seafood is a key feature of the menu, with dishes rotated regularly based on fresh, seasonal availability from trusted suppliers.

Neil Perry — *Photo Credit: Margaret/Instagram*

Celebrating Australian Produce

The menu at Margaret features locally raised beef, Australian-caught seafood, and produce supplied by small-scale growers. Popular dishes include CopperTree Farms beef fillet with red curry butter, rotisserie Sommerlad chicken, Tasmanian trumpeter, and seasonal vegetable pies. Menus are updated daily to reflect changes in supply and quality.

The sample set menus range from $140 to $190 per person and feature items such as tuna tartare with gochujang, Sydney rock oysters, and desserts like mascarpone trifle or flourless chocolate cake. A canapé menu is also offered for event bookings.

Margaret Double Bay — *Photo Credit: Margaret/Instagram*

Double Bay Dining Destination

Margaret operates in the heart of Double Bay and is supported by Mr Perry’s family, including his wife and daughters. The venue includes private event options, with full venue hire for up to 110 guests and a semi-private space for smaller gatherings. These offerings support a wide range of gatherings, including weddings, birthdays, homecomings, and corporate functions.

RESERVE A TABLE

Broader Sydney Recognition

Margaret was one of 11 Sydney restaurants included in the 2025 edition of The World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants, reinforcing Sydney’s growing international reputation for premium dining. Mr Perry expressed appreciation for the recognition, highlighting the team’s effort and ongoing commitment to quality.

Published 8-May-2025

Neil Perry Revamps Song Bird in Double Bay with Designer Collette Dinnigan

Photo Credit: Song Bird/Instagram

Chef Neil Perry has enlisted designer Collette Dinnigan to revitalise his Double Bay restaurant, Song Bird, after a challenging opening phase.

Rocky Start for Song Bird in Double Bay

Neil Perry launched Song Bird in August 2024. It is part of his $12 million Double Bay hospitality precinct. The 240-seat Cantonese restaurant, positioned next to his successful venue Margaret, struggled to find its footing initially.

Song Bird Neil Perry — *Photo Credit: Song Bird/Instagram*

Mr Perry explained that budget overruns forced him to open the restaurant earlier than planned, resulting in untrained staff and incomplete facilities, including a malfunctioning dumbwaiter. He described the first three months as extremely difficult, acknowledging the decision to open prematurely was a significant error despite his extensive industry experience.

Addressing Design Challenges with Collette Dinnigan

To improve the restaurant’s atmosphere, Mr Perry turned to long-time friend and acclaimed designer Collette Dinnigan. Known for her work in fashion and interior design, Ms Dinnigan was tasked with addressing the acoustic issues caused by the restaurant’s hard surfaces.

Ms Dinnigan introduced acoustic foam to soften the soundscape and contributed decorative elements such as antique birdcages, enhanced column designs, and carefully curated artwork to transform the venue’s interior. Mr Perry and Ms Dinnigan’s professional relationship dates back over 30 years, including collaborations during Ms Dinnigan’s fashion shows.

Expanding the Culinary Direction

Alongside the interior redesign, Mr Perry expanded Song Bird’s culinary offerings. Moving beyond a purely Cantonese focus, the refreshed menu now includes influences from Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines. These changes draw inspiration from Mr Perry’s earlier ventures, Wokpool and Spice Temple.

Mr Perry stated that after nearly seven months of operational improvements, Song Bird now offers a markedly different and enhanced dining experience.

Early Community Response to Changes

Recent bookings and reviews suggest the Double Bay community has responded positively to the changes at Song Bird. The refreshed atmosphere and broader menu are seen as contributing factors to the restaurant’s turnaround.

Looking Ahead for Song Bird in Double Bay

With Collette Dinnigan’s design influence and an expanded menu, Song Bird is positioning itself for greater success within Double Bay’s competitive dining scene. Perry’s adjustments highlight his continued commitment to evolving the restaurant to meet both his standards and diners’ expectations.

Published 27-Apr-2025

Song Bird Takes Flight in Double Bay

Photo Credit: Song Bird Double Bay/Instagram

Song Bird, a modern Chinese restaurant, has landed in the heart of Double Bay. Helmed by acclaimed chef Neil Perry, the restaurant occupies the heritage-listed Gaden House on Bay Street.

With its blend of Cantonese-inspired flavours and fresh Australian ingredients, Song Bird is a vibrant addition to Sydney’s dining scene.

Dumplings served at Song Bird Double Bay. — *Photo Credit: Song Bird Double Bay/Instagram*

A Harmony of Heritage and Style

Housed in Gaden House, a 1960s architectural icon, Song Bird pairs mid-century charm with modern elegance. Inside, soft lighting and warm orange lanterns create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. Crisp white tablecloths and polished timber chairs add sophistication, while floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light and showcase views of the surrounding streetscape. A glass-enclosed wine display offers a touch of luxury.

The venue strengthens Mr Perry’s growing influence in Double Bay, complementing his other popular restaurants, Margaret and Next Door.

Warm orange lanterns at Song Bird restaurant. — *Photo Credit: Song Bird Double Bay/Instagram*

A Menu Designed to Delight

Song Bird’s menu highlights the best of Cantonese cooking, enriched by premium Australian produce. Signature dishes include:

Seafood served at Song Bird Double Bay. — *Photo Credit: Song Bird Double Bay/Instagram*

Dumplings: Pork and Prawn Siu Mai ($24 for 4).
Roasts: Peking Duck with Mandarin pancakes and condiments ($64 for half, $120 for whole).
Seafood: Live lobster ($239) and mud crab ($159) prepared in XO sauce or with ginger and shallots.
Meats: Red-braised pork belly ($49), Mongolian beef fillet ($49), and stir-fried chicken with black bean sauce ($45).
Vegetables: Steamed choy sum with garlic sauce ($25) and stir-fried water spinach with garlic ($24).

À la Carte Menu

The à la carte menu showcases a variety of Cantonese-inspired dishes, each crafted with care. From the delicate Spencer Gulf King Prawn Har Gow to the bold Mongolian beef fillet, every dish is a tribute to flavour and quality.

VIEW MENU

Dessert Menu

Song Bird’s dessert offerings provide the perfect finish. With creative twists on classic Asian-inspired sweets, the menu reflects Mr Perry’s signature balance of indulgence and refinement.

VIEW MENU

Banquet Menu

Ideal for group dining, the banquet menu offers a curated selection of the restaurant’s standout dishes. Designed for sharing, it captures the essence of Cantonese cuisine, from savoury dumplings to succulent roasts and fresh seafood.

VIEW MENU

Chinese New Year Banquet Menu

To celebrate Chinese New Year, Song Bird presents an exclusive eight-course banquet for $148 per person. Symbolic dishes like Peking Duck, live coral trout with ginger and shallots, and indulgent desserts mark the occasion. Available from 27 January to 9 February, it’s a feast that honours tradition and flavour.

VIEW MENU

*Photo Credit: Song Bird Double Bay/Instagram*

Operating Hours

Song Bird operates seamlessly throughout the week:

Monday to Thursday: 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 12:00 p.m.– 11:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Neil Perry: A Culinary Visionary

Mr Perry’s extensive experience in fine dining shines through at Song Bird. His meticulous attention to detail extends beyond the menu to the restaurant’s design and atmosphere. Adjacent to Song Bird is Bobbie’s, a basement cocktail bar specialising in martinis and light snacks—perfect for pre-dinner drinks or a relaxed nightcap.

The iconic, chef Neil Perry — *Photo Credit: Neil Perry/Instagram*

Revitalising Double Bay

Since opening Margaret in 2021, Mr Perry has been a driving force behind the revival of Double Bay. Song Bird adds new energy to the area, attracting locals and visitors alike. While the revitalisation has been widely welcomed, some residents have expressed concerns about increased traffic and commercialisation.

Looking Ahead

With its innovative menu and elegant setting, Song Bird is poised to become a staple of the dining scene in Double Bay. Reservations are now open, with details available on the restaurant’s official website. Mr Perry’s commitment to excellence continues to shape Sydney’s culinary landscape.

BOOK A TABLE

Published 14-Jan-2025