Double Bay gets its mojo back with the opening of Bartiga

Double Bay has undergone a bit of a transformation in recent years and with the opening of Bartiga, the suburb looks set to thrive once again.

Located on the corner of Short and Bay Streets in the site formerly held by the iconic Café Perons, the snazzy new restaurant should breathe some new life into the exclusive harbourside suburb.

Co-owned by Charlie Kelly and Head Chef Faheem Noor, Bartiga will provide an upmarket dining experience in an intimate and relaxed setting at the centre of bustling Double Bay. The restaurant’s design, led by Matters Made designer, Andretti Fung, exudes an Australian and subtle Asian aesthetic.

The name “Bartiga” means ‘The Three of Us’ in Bahasa and symbolises the strong friendship between the owners and their families. Bartiga emerges from the esteemed Café Perons family legacy, with Café Perons having been a cherished part of the Kelly family for 42 years, run by mum Vicky. This transformation into Bartiga represents the second generation, aligning with the evolving Double Bay precinct.

Food wise, Bartiga offers Modern Australian cuisine ignited by Southeast Asian flavours aided by Chef Noor’s diverse culinary background paired with his Malaysian legacy. Small bites and starters include Appellation Oysters, Prawn Sando, Grilled Calamari, Wagyu Beef Sliders and some highly enticing Taco’s which we’d definitely recommend starting with. Options include Crispy Eggplant, Duck and the lightly battered Moreton Bay Bugs offering a heavenly explosion of flavour and crunchiness – so delicious! The Kingfish Crudo is another on the must-try list with its delectable Nam Jim dressing, crispy shallot and coriander. Light, fresh, addictive and delightful.

For something more substantial, key signature dishes include the BBQ Prawn Tom Yum Spaghettini, Scotch MB4 with Asian Herb Chimichurri and Crispy Onions, Spiced Rubbed Lamb Rack, Roasted Market Fish and the highly scrumptious Linguine XO with pippies and pangrattato which comes bursting with savoury flavour.

To wash it all down, there are some lush cocktails formulated by renowned mixologist Vincent Valliere (Pelicano, Casa Luna). Standouts include the Banana & Vanilla Espresso Martini (vodka, coffee liqueur, banana liqueur, espresso and vanilla) and the Tropic Guru (spiced rum, overproof rum, passionfruit, mango, pineapple and lime). Simply divine! The wine list, curated by ex-Franca Brasserie’s Alex Cameron, features over 80 different options ranging from accessible Classics to esoteric Future Classics for those seeking something more unique.

Bartiga is a great addition to Double Bay’s dining scene. With a seasonal menu prioritising Australian suppliers and local produce, Bartiga is your new place to be in Double Bay!

Bartiga
Corner of Short St & Bay St, Double Bay
Open Tues – Sun (Lunch 11:30am to 2:30pm | Dinner 5pm to late)

Images by Jude Cohen

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