PRESS AND PUBLICITY

From Reality to Reality - 2008

 

Pink Salt Double Bay which is co owned by Bella Serventi and Evan Hansimikali is rapidly approaching its 3rd year Birthday. The dynamic duo, who first burst onto our screen with the hit series My Restaurant Rules 2005 have been part of a very successful business partnership since they opened Pink Salt Manly more than 3 years ago.

 

Over the last 24 months Pink Salt has been operating as a Restaurant, Bar and events venue including the recently successful “McGrath Foundation” luncheon, Social Diary White party Sun Herald’s Amy Cooper’s book launch amongst many other soirees on Sydney’s buzzy social scene. Pink Salt has come along way since its reality TV days in Manly and has already become a well known fixture in the swanky Eastern Suburbs location. Having turned over more than 2 million dollars in their first year of trading Evan and Bella’s Pink Salt branded success is still paying off. But not without some sacrifices…

 

The couple learnt some harsh reality facts since appearing on the show. The actual cost of running a business without the help television exposure every week, the fickle and unpredictable demands of the hospitality industry but most importantly the pressures of being a fiery couple living AND working together..

 

However, 2008 brings much more than heat in the kitchen, staff mutiny’s and relationship crisis for Pink Salt Double Bay. As now with new Head Chef Michael Rantissi at the realm HE MEANS BUSINESS. With the pressure to be recognized as part of the competitive culinary industry Pink Salt must commit itself to attaining it new goals. Chef Michael is whipping Pink Salt into line with the pursuit of a Good Food Guide Hat, a cook book and the launch of a new catering company. This often doesn’t help with business partner Bella and Evan’s broken relationship and pressure cooking environment causing havoc on a day to day basis! There’s tears, tantrums and most of all tiaras (who would expect anything less at the glamorous Pink Salt!?)

 

It’s a harsh look at the journey from their reality Television success to actual reality for this no longer together couple – it’s a company of three now – and it’s definitely getting crowded!

 

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MEDIA RELEASE - September 2007

 

PINK SALT DOUBLE BAY APPOINTS NEW HEAD CHEF MICHAEL RANTISSI, PLANS NEW LOOK LOUNGE AREA UPSTAIRS AND IS SERVING BISTRO STYLE MENU FOR LUNCH AND BREAKFAST

 

Pink Salt Double Bay restaurant and bar which is co owned by Bella Serventi and Evan Hansimikali is rapidly approaching its 2nd year Birthday early next year. The dynamic duo, who first burst onto our screen with the hit series My Restaurant Rules 2005 have been in partnership since they opened Pink Salt Manly 3 years ago.

 

Over the last 18 months Pink Salt has been operating as a restaurant, bar and events venue including the recently successful “McGrath Foundation” luncheon, Social Diary White party Sun Herald’s Amy Cooper’s book launch. We are very excited to announce the launch of their bistro lunch menu and their relaxed breakfast menu on Saturday and Sunday mornings between 9am and 12pm. “The move from fine dining to Bistro style will suit our clientele and make the experience at Pink Salt more relaxed and comfortable- we consider it fuss free ‘fun’ dining as opposed to fine”, say’s Hamsimikali and Serventi.

 

Newly appointed Head Chef Michael Rantissi who was born in Tele Aviv, started his career at popular Torkiz seafood restaurant in Israel. Blue restaurant in Israel, Farida and 2C restaurants in Tele Aviv rewarded him with 2 distinguished honors by the “Association of Food Journalism” being ‘Best Chef” in 2003 and in 2004 rating him the “Most innovating Chef” in Israel. After spending many years working overseas Michael decided to come to Australia and worked at the famous Bathers Pavilion in 2005 as the Executive Sous Chef. Chef Michael has extensive experience and passion for cooking and has proved to be the perfect fit for Pink Salt. He has designed a casual fine dining menu for the evening and a relaxed bistro and breakfast menu which are affordable and innovative. Dishes such as seared scallops, baby calamari stuffed with blue swimmer crab and creamy champagne foam or the plum glazed confit duck leg w pan fried hand-made gnocchi, crumbed herbal butter & lemon thyme jus – not forgetting their famous pink fluffy cupcakes either!

 

Pink Salt’s chic modern interior designed by Alex Zabotto-Bentley of FASHIONASSASSIN fame has been commissioned to re design the upstairs lounge area. The vision will be very hip ‘boudoir’ themed lounge area with soft finishes, deep couches, small tables, soft lighting and will focus on good wine, champagne cocktails and a reduced tasting menu for patrons who like to share dishes. The upstairs lounge bar will operate from Tuesday – Sunday, 7pm – 1am and will be the place to chill out will friends and associates before heading out to the disco. The lounge bar will offer personalized table service and can be used as a perfect function or event space for up to 100 people. A VIP area may also be reserved for a gourmet sit down dinner under red candles and pink lilies or just a social get together in an intimate setting.

 

Pink Salt in the heart of Double Bay will now offer patrons a more casual dining experience with fresh surrounds and a daringly delicious menu. Sip on a watermelon martini or delight your taste buds!

 

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As a continuation from their Pink Salt Manly noshery, ex-TV restaurateurs have set up in the heart of glamorous Double Bay. Their Modern Australian and ‘fun dining’ concept has been newly evolved with the integration of a cutting edge cocktail and lounge bar. But in true Sydney style, there are of course the famous favourites that made their Manly eatery such a hot spot with punters from all over.

 

With award winning Chef Padriac Keilty at the helm, their love and tribute to Australian beef, tasting platters, exotic fruit mocktails and re-invention of childhood favourites such as the take-away cupcakes are just some of the re-occurring pleasures. With the grand space designed by Sydney Fashionista Alex Zabbotto-Bentley, this sleek and chic new look not only reflects the sophisticated new area but also creates the vibrant and buzzing atmosphere that always characterized their well-trodden venues. This is no exception. Pink Salt Double Bay is now a four-in-one venue with outdoor alfresco dining, ground Bar, Indoor dining and VIP cocktail lounge Bar. So expect a hip and glamorous crowd sipping on Campari and nibbling on mozzarella and pine nut risotto balls from the delicious Bar menu on a Fri & Sat night.

 

This Restaurant & Bar destination truly captures the meaning of a fun, uncomplicated and accessible dining experience. Bella and Evan believe that restaurants should be ‘punter’ oriented. And if the friendly staff, home-made Sangria or pink fairy floss crème brulee won’t get you, then the great value will.

 

 

STAR CHEF’S NEW “BISTRO-STYLE” A SURE SPRINGTIME HIT

Newly appointed Head Chef Michael Rantissi is shaking things up at Pink Salt.

 

To better cater to their daytime customers, Rantissi and owners Bella Serventi and Evan Hansimakali of Channel 7’s My Restaurant Rules fame have done away with the white linen, opting for a more relaxed bistro menu and ambience.

 

“The move from fine dining to bistro-style will suit our clientele and make the experience at Pink Salt more relaxed and comfortable- we’re going from fine dining to fun dining.

 

“It’s perfect timing, spring is here and we’ll soon be heading into summer. People are out and about and they want to enjoy the good weather with good food, in a casual setting”, says Rantissi.

 

And just what can Pink Salt punters expect from this new bistro menu? A culmination of new innovations such as “seared scallops, baby calamari stuffed with blue swimmer crab and creamy champagne foam and also everybody’s daytime favorite the famous pink fluffy cupcakes are all available on the modestly priced bistro menu.

 

This style change at Pink Salt has been a good opportunity for Rantissi, a two-time “Best Chef” award winner in Israel, to showcase the full gamut of his creativity right here in Sydney.

 

“I love the intricacies and details of fine dining. But there is also beauty in the simplicity of bistro-style food. It’s great to now be able to do both at Pink Salt,” adds Rantissi.

 

The new bistro lunch menu is now available and Pink Salt also opens for breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays between 9am and 12pm.

 

MEDIA RELEASE - February 2006

 

PINK SALT DOUBLE BAY: FUSION OF FOOD AND COCKTAILS IN TRUE SYDNEY STYLE…

 

For the first time in a long time, Double Bay lays claim to a genuinely hip location: a slick four-in-one venue including an outdoor restaurant, ground bar, internal restaurant and bar/lounge.

 

At the helm, are proprietors Bella Serventi and Evan Hansimikali, who first burst onto our screen with the hit series My Restaurant Rules 2005. The couple’s first noshery in Manly reached unprecedented success both on screen and within the hospitality industry. Bella was of course the fashionable talking point of the series and Evan the skilled operator, at the aged of 23, their entrepreneurial passion for the restaurant industry and business success will certainly make this an outstanding venture.

 

The concept behind Pink Salt Double Bay is essentially, an uncomplicated dining experience. Many of Pink Salt’s signature pieces are all about being simple and a little different. Essentially it’s all about having fun with food and drinks. So whether it’s great value tasting platters or pink sangria it’s all part of the unique Pink Salt experience.

 

Appointed Head Chef Padriac Keilty shares the same passion and approach to food as the young Sydney couple, and is very excited to be taken on the challenge.

 

Cutting edge Sydney restaurants are easily characterized by highbrow diners, fussy food, awkward service and a stark ambience. Pink Salt Double Bay seeks to find a happier medium as previously found by their first loyal clientele. Lovers of food and lovers of incredible energy will be delighted.

 

With a chic modern interior designed by Alex Zabotto-Bentley of FASHIONASSASSIN fame, Pink Salt Double Bay caters to “fun diners” and chilled-out bar dwellers. Look out for its sexy flushed banquets throughout lounge bars, the incredible feature pink tiled wall, hand made pink crystal chandelier and of course, the custom designed furniture. This is definitely one distinctive venue. Expect a slick, characteristically fun approach to dining that is complimented by the glamorous Double Bay area.

 

Pink Salt Double Bay is set to be an accessible place to eat with friends over a bottle of chilled Rose; simple and relaxed, yes, but also prominently sophisticated and fashionable. This is a great new food and cocktail fusion, in true Sydney style….