After eight years popular CBD fine diner The Bridge Room will close. Its last service will be at the end of April. Owners Ross and Sunny Lusted opened the slick restaurant in 2011 with partners the Fink Group (Quay, Bennelong, Firedoor) and became known for chef Ross’s clever use of the robata grill to push a seafood- and vegetable-led menu.

While the Lusteds are keeping mum about the specifics of their next venture, they have said they’ll open a new restaurant in early 2021 in what they’re calling “one of Sydney’s most exciting precincts”.

“The Bridge Room has been a true labour of love and we feel so honoured to have connected deeply with our diners,” Sunny Lusted said in a statement. “We have been blessed with so many loyal guests that have dined with us regularly throughout the years
and an incredible team who have contributed to the fabric of what The Bridge Room is.

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“We look forward to seeing all our wonderful diners who have supported us over the last eight years and having a toast with them to the next chapter.”

The news comes after other notable Sydney restaurants have announced closures. Mike McEnearney is shutting his fine-diner No. 1 Bent Street at the end of April, and Kylie Kwong will be closing respected Potts Point joint Billy Kwong later this year. Both will also be launching new, yet-to-be-announced concepts. It also follows news that Masterchef host George Calombaris is closing his Melbourne flagship restaurant The Press Club in June.

Ross and Sunny Lusted opened The Bridge Room after 10 years working in Singapore, Bali, the Middle East and Utah. Ross was formerly executive chef at Rockpool and had also worked under Long Chim’s David Thompson.

“Ross really stays true to the ingredients,” Sunny told Broadsheet in 2014. “The dish has to be fresh today or it’s off the menu. If he’s offered an unexpected ingredient, he’ll make up a dish on the spot. I’ve been married to him for 16 years and it’s still so exciting having new dishes all the time.”

The Bridge Room will have its last service on April 27.

thebridgeroom.com.au