Renowned restaurateur Neil Perry will close his large-scale Chinese restaurant Song Bird, replacing it with a new Italian dining concept at the same Double Bay address after determining the original venture was unsuitable for the local area.
A Strategic Shift in Dining
The final service for the ambitious Cantonese restaurant, Song Bird, is scheduled for Sunday, August 3rd. Neil Perry stated that the concept of a three-level Chinese establishment in Double Bay had ultimately missed the mark. He also noted that the complexity of managing a venue of that size was a significant factor in the decision to change direction. The move is seen as a strategic pivot to better cater to the local community’s tastes and the operational realities of the site.
This change follows the earlier closure of Bobbie’s, a cocktail bar located in the same building, which was also part of a broader move by Perry to concentrate his focus on his main restaurant ventures in the precinct.
The Arrival of Gran Torino
In its place, the Gaden House location will be transformed into an Italian eatery named Gran Torino. The new restaurant will draw on Perry’s extensive experience with Italian flavours and cooking. To ensure a successful launch, the kitchen will be guided by the senior team from Perry’s highly successful neighbouring restaurant, Margaret.
Margaret’s executive chef, Richard Purdue, and head chef, Ervin Mumujesi, will oversee the new Italian venture. This connection promises to bring a proven standard of quality and execution to Gran Torino, creating a complementary dining experience within Perry’s Double Bay portfolio.
Evolution of the Perry Precinct
The transition involves a key personnel change, with Song Bird’s head chef, Mark Lee, moving to the head chef position at Margaret. This keeps his culinary skills within the Perry group. The decision to close Song Bird comes after a challenging initial period for the restaurant, which opened ahead of schedule with an incomplete setup.
Perry had previously brought in designer Collette Dinnigan to improve the venue’s acoustics and expanded the menu beyond Cantonese cuisine in an effort to refine the offering. This latest move marks a definitive step towards creating a more cohesive and suitable collection of dining venues for the neighbourhood.
Published Date 07-July-2025
