Claudio Morales joins Regatta Rose Bay

A Rose Bay pin-up for decades, Pier restaurant will be rebirthed early next month with a new name and new chef.

Claudio Morales, the former head chef at Merivale restaurants Ash Street Cellar and Ivy's poolside Uccello, has joined the project.

It'll trade as Regatta Rose Bay, inspired by the bobbing fleet of boats that fill its views.

Snapped up earlier this year by the savvy Barge brothers, who own PaperPlanes at Bondi Beach, the restaurant is undergoing a Luchetti Krelle redesign.

Industry veteran Charles Leong, as ubiquitous at Sydney restaurant openings as the smell of fresh paint, has written the wine list and will join Regatta for its launch.

Morales, pictured with co-owner Matthew Barge, is no stranger to the site, having worked in the Pier kitchen early in his career.

He'll pair Moreton Bay bugs with ricotta gnocchi, and roasted marron and baby chicken in a funky-sounding lasagne, and while the Regatta menu will tip its ensign to Pier and include a raw seafood bar, the restaurant won't be exclusively seafood-driven.