The name Eat Burger encapsulates what Cronulla's newest eatery is all about: it's about eating burgers. The spiffy space, which is light, bright and beachy opened its doors in prime territory opposite South Cronulla Beach this week.

Chef Paul Camilleri says he is really proud of the photogenic Amber Road Design-ed space, which he believes captures the essence of a more contemporary Cronulla in 2015.

"Imagine a young grommet who has just come in from the surf, dusted the sand off his feet and he's so tired from paddling that the only two words he can manage to say are 'Eat Burger' before he paddles back out into the line-up," says Camilleri, who earned his culinary stripes at the Michelin-starred Pied-a-Terre in London, Thornton's in Dublin and Patrick Guilbaud, Ireland's only two-starred Michelin restaurant. The talented chef was also a Banc boy before opening Sojourn, awarded a hat by the Good Food Guide in 2007.

Camilleri says it's been his dream to open a burger bar in the beachside suburb for years, which he has done so along with ex-wife Kim and fiancée Dominque Hill (who has cult cafe Mim's Espresso Bar & Eatery in neighbouring Burraneer). "Eat Burger is about simplicity. What do you do with a burger? You eat it. It's about burgers, fries and blue skies. The name is so strong because it's loaded with nice feelings and associations. Although we have sourced some top-notch American products, the design and feel of the space doesn't reference American diners; it's very much Australian," he says.

The fit-out is made fabulous courtesy of a formed custom-made concrete bar, warm cork-topped stools, a mural of a seagull in flight, bespoke light fittings, inspired plaster tiles as well as stucco-like textured concrete walls. Of course, if the food and drinks didn't hit the mark, the vibe would be irrelevant. Camelleri says his personal favourites are the sticky slow-roasted pork belly burger with chilli and lime mayo, pickled radish and cabbage and salted roast peanuts and the Southern fried chicken burger, which he believes are destined to become greatest hits.

"I'm really excited about cooking real burgers where every layer is well thought out. And yes, there will be slices of tinned beetroot and pineapple offered as extras because that's what some people want," he says

When it comes to the hard stuff, Kosta Kondiral of Porteno, in Surry Hills, has curated the drinks list - there is boutique beer on tap, a wine list with an Orstrayan accent and a list of cocktails such  as bellini, pino colada and jalapeno margarita. Kids will be kept happy courtesy of old-school thickshakes made from the Rolls Royce Carpigiani machine.

Eat Burger is located at 43 Gerrale St, Cronulla, 02 9523 6471, eatburger.co. Open from 11am-9pm Mon-Fri; Sat-Sun from 9am-9pm For more information or images phone Dominique 0411616 545.

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