After a successful stint in the USA, chef and restaurateur Jessi Singh will be returning to Melbourne. The Indian-born foodie is en route back to Fitzroy North, ready to relaunch his former restaurant Horn Please, which will open doors mid-July.

During his Melbourne-based tenure, Singh was responsible for three well-regarded Melbourne eateries; Dhaba at the Mill, Horn Please and Babu Ji. But in 2014 he sold up, taking Babu Ji to NYC before welcoming new restaurant, wine bar and bottle shop, Bibi Ji to Santa Barbara.

But a Melbourne return was always on the cards says Singh. “We were always committed to coming back home to Australia. My kids were born in Melbourne and this is where I started my restaurant career. Even though we’ve had high success and a thrilling experience in the USA, we miss home and the Australian style of hospitality.”

Horn Please will officially reopen on Monday, July 9 after a one-week transformation. A makeover of sorts is in store, with a local artist set to replace the current light walls and Indian studio portraits with brightly colour murals.

Singh will also refresh the menu, showcasing a new focus on Indian street food. Hero dishes are set to include the famous chilli chicken found at many a truck stop around India. There will also be an Indian and Chinese-style dim sum, blue swimmer crab croquettes with mint and coriander chutney, and an onion or cauliflower kulcha naan pizza.

“I’m looking forward to working with great Australian producers and visiting my local markets again,” says Singh of his revamped venture. “I have butcher, fishmonger and vegetable guys that I’ve worked with from day one of opening my first restaurant in Melbourne. I’ve missed that direct contact and the family connections a lot while in the USA.”

Horn Please
167 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North
hornplease.com.au