Just In: Neil Perry Is Rebooting Cantonese Diner Song Bird

In October last year, Neil Perry told Broadsheet his Double Bay Cantonese diner Song Bird was the most difficult project he’d ever done. It seems things haven’t gotten easier for Perry.

Last month, the celebrated chef closed Bobbie’s, the adjacent underground cocktail bar he opened with wife Samantha Perry and longtime friends Linden Pride and Nathalie Hudson (the couple behind top New York bars Dante and Caffe Dante). Today, he’s announced a complete reboot of Song Bird.

“With Song Bird, we missed the mark by creating a three-level Chinese restaurant in Double Bay,” Neil said in a statement. “Now, we’ve got the size right over two levels and – just as importantly – acoustics that have finally been tamed, we’re ready to move forward into a new future.”

Song Bird’s final dinner service is set for Sunday August 3. Six days later, the space will reboot as Gran Torino, an Italian diner overseen by Margaret Family’s executive chef Richard Purdue and Margaret head chef Ervin Mumujesi.

“The change to Gran Torino will be a better fit with Margaret, and the more approachable menu and laid-back setting will have people wanting to return time and time again for drinks, casual bites and celebrations,” Neil said.

Gran Torino’s ground floor will take after “a classic Italian bar” in all ways. That means Bellinis, Martinis, bitter vermouths and no shortage of Campari and Aperol, alongside snacks and Italian-ish plates. The old Song Bird dining room upstairs will become a 100-seat restaurant serving antipasti, fresh pasta, grilled proteins and classic Italian desserts.

More details to come.

Song Bird’s final dinner service is Sunday August 3. Gran Torino is slated to open on Saturday August 9.