Reservations open for Neil Perry’s Song Bird

Bookings have opened for acclaimed Australian chef, Neil Perry’s new Cantonese restaurant.

Slated to open in August 2024, the Song Bird will be a homage to his love of Asian cuisine.

Reviving his love of Asian cuisine, you’ll find his new restaurant next to Margaret in Double Bay.

The three-level, 230-seater will open on August 28 and while high-end Cantonese is making a comeback, Perry says it’s their choice of produce which will set Song Bird apart from the rest.

“We want to refine the dumplings it’s about the wrappers and the quality of the ingredients,” Perry told Broadsheet.

“If you take frozen Thai peeled prawns and put them in a dumpling, you’re going to get a certain experience. And if you take a whole prawn out of Spencer Gulf and prepare it in the restaurant, that experience is going to be a lot more elevated.”

Like any classic Cantonese restaurant, you’ll find a sumptuous seafood selection (tank included) as well as fish and calamari.

You’ll be able to choose from nine different preparations – XO sauce and green Sichuan chili peppers.

“The menu is a combination of a lot of classic dishes – done well with great produce – and a few that are a creative reinterpretation. We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, it’s about beautiful Cantonese and Chinese food with a great level of service.”

Perry is also opening a basement bar, Bobbie’s which is opening later this year.

Venture up to the ground floor and you’ll find 30 seats, a bar, and a kitchen with two- and four-top tables. Level two will be laid out like a yum cha restaurant with large six- and 10-seat tables.

The ground floor has 30 seats, a bar, and kitchen, while Perry likens level one to Margaret, with its two- and four-top tables. Level two is set out like the dining room of a yum cha restaurant, with large six- and 10-seat tables, complete with lazy Susans.

And with sister venues Margaret and Bake Bleu, it looks like Perry might just be taking over the neighbourhood.