Neil Perry has long been synonymous with premium dining in Australia, from his legendary stint at the helm of Rockpool to his fruitful partnership with Qantas, curating the airline’s First Class offering. In recent years, the renowned chef has been at the helm of his still-fresh Double Bay restaurant Margaret, and now it seems he’s ready to get trendy with his very own wine bar, titled Next Door simply because it’s sandwiched between Margaret and his co-owned Baker Bleu.
Taking over the former Roxy’s Double Bay, the 60-seat space doubles as an all-day diner, starting the day with options like a ham and cheese roll and rolling into lunch and dinner with around 20 items on the menu – mostly snacks and about four mains.
Fans of Neil Perry’s famous David Blackmore wagyu burger that he used to flip at Rockpool will want to check this one out. It’s not exactly the same Rockpool burger that’s still widely discussed when debating Sydney’s best burgers, but it’s the one Margaret served up during lockdown.
The patty, a mix of brisket and chuck from CopperTree Farms, is grilled medium with cheese, pickles, onion, tomato sauce, mustard and a rose mayo secret sauce. Perry calls it a “proper American cheeseburger” and we know better than to disagree.
Aside from snacks like oysters, kingfish and woodfired peppers, more substantial options include a whopping 300-gram salted Reuben sandwich using David Blackmore silverside and fresh rye bread, a kilo of mussels mariniere, and herb-crusted coral trout.
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Given Next Door is quite literally next door to Margaret, guests at Neil Perry’s new wine bar will be given full access to the restaurant’s wine menu, which is stacked with premium picks. But you’ll also get the bar’s own menu, which is a clipped version of the one next door with a mix of Australian and imported varieties. Importantly, there are about 20 wines available by the glass alongside seasonal cocktails and craft beers.
Next Door opened towards the end of last year just before we all bunkered down for the holidays so most Sydneysiders are still yet to check it out. If anything, it’s a valuable alternative if bookings at Margaret are hard to come by.
Next Door
Address: 30-36 Bay Street, Double Bay, NSW 2028
Contact: 02 9068 8888
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Sunday (12 PM – late)
