Pink Salt, Double Bay

Sitting al fresco under the awning at Pink Salt watching le beau monde of Double Bay strut past, you could easily think you’re holidaying along the Mediterranean. The refurbished restaurant, with its indoor and outdoor dining has brought a fresh and inviting venue to the thriving dining scene in this eastern suburb.

Pink Salt, Double Bay

The new look Pink Salt is the design of Alex Zabotto-Bentley of AZB Creative, whose impressive work we previously featured in Wolf Blass Luxury Collection Launch at Quay Restaurant, Paspaley Polo in the City with Woodford Reserve, Jack’s Hive Bar, Woodford Reserve Mother’s Day Polo Classic, Appleton Estate Rum Australian Bartender Challenge Final and Duff Beer Pop Up Tavern to name a few.

Lush Greenery

It’s hard not to notice the stylish venue from the footpath, framed by recycled timbers with a striped awning, European style wicker chairs and lush greenery.

Pink Salt Interior

Inside, industrial fixtures along with brass and bronze fittings, a long leather banquette you can comfortably sink into,

Bar Area 

and a split level bar area with leather lounges and cosy booths that invite a long exploration of the drinks menu.

Bar Area Seating

The wine list is suitable for any occasion, ranging from $9 by the glass / $42 bottle to $850 for 2005 Penfolds Grange. The 2013 Luella Chardonnay from Victoria ($11 glass) drinks well, crisp with a hint of oak that doesn’t overpower the fruit while the 2011 Handpicked Cabernet Merlot from Margaret River in WA ($12) brings a fuller bodied balance of fruit, oak with fine tannins.

L-R: A Double Bay Drama, Coconut Chilli Margarita

The cocktails bear tongue in cheek names such as Black Amex Espresso Martini and It Never Rains In Double Bay. Sip on a Coconut Chilli Margarita ($19), a tropical take on the original made with Coconut Tequila, Cointreau, lime juice and house chilli syrup with a Pink Salt rim, an easy drinking cocktail on a balmy night that delivers a gentle kick of chilli. A Double Bay Drama ($22) brings a refreshing mix of Campari, St-Germain, sloe gin and fresh lemongrass topped with perhaps a little too much ginger beer overpowering the base spirit.

The food by Head Chef Mark Williamson (The Botanist, Bondi Hardware, The Tilbury) is in harmony with the venue and brings a range of Mediterranean influences to contemporary Australian cuisine.

Sydney Rock Oysters

From Fare to Share comes Sydney Rock Oysters from Pambula ($4 each), freshly-shucked, swimming in their brine with ponzu granita, their umami flavour accented with fried shallots.

Octopus, Crab Cakes, Citrus, Herbs

Octopus, Crab Cakes, Citrus, Herbs ($22) brings tasty morsels of crab cakes with a dill sauce, crisp on the outside and tender on the inside and pretty discs of tender and flavoursome octopus.

Popcorn Chicken

Popcorn Chicken ($15) is given a touch of heat from fresh chilli and sriracha aioli. Crisp on the outside with tender and moist chicken on the inside, it’s difficult to stop popping them in the mouth as you take the last sip  of the cocktail with the sun going down.

Spatchcock

From the mains comes the juicy and tender Spatchcock ($29) with broccolini on a bed of sweet and lightly spiced creamy corn worthy of being a side dish on the menu. Savoury granola add texture with a mix of toasted oats, sesame pistachio and walnuts.

Blue Eye Cod

Blue Eye Cod ($33) with celeriac and asparagus  is a lovely piece of fish, perfectly cooked that the protein is just set and it easily flakes with the fork topped with irresistible bacon crumbs.

Harissa Roast Carrots

Skip the fries and order Harissa Roast Carrots ($11), tender and sweet Dutch carrots with a kick of heat from the harissa soothed by the tahini remoulade.

Apple Parfait

If you still have room for dessert, and we suggest you do, the Apple Parfait ($15) is not overly sweet and comes in a generous portion, drizzled with dulce de leche with a side of crumbled pecan shortbread.

Pink Salt by Night

If you’re hankering for holiday to the Mediterranean shores, the new Pink Salt will take you there. The vibe is distinctly Mediterranean, casual and elegant, welcoming and unpretentious. The food offerings take you palate around the Med, with European, Middle Eastern and North African flavours.

There’s so much to like about Pink Salt that you’ll want to share it with your friends. And with bar snacks and share plates from the supper menu served until 1.30am on weekends, it is an ideal place to drop by for a late night cap.

Pink Salt is featured in our Top 10 Hot Restaurants & Bars in Double Bay.

Photography © by Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.

Pink Salt
2/53 Cross St, Double Bay NSW 2028
Ph: (02) 9328 1664
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Thursday, 12.00pm – midnight
Friday and Saturday, 12.00pm – late
Sunday, 12.00pm – 10.00pm
Monday, closed
www.pinksalt.com.au