Jessi Singh opens Rundle Street restaurant Daughter In Law, lauds COVID-free Adelaide

Adelaide is fast becoming a COVID-safe city for restaurateurs opening new ventures – the latest from celebrity chef Jessi Singh.

Famed chef Jessi Singh inside his newly named and refurbished restaurant Daughter in Law on Rundle Street. Picture: Emma Brasier

South Australia is set to become a safe haven for restaurateurs looking to open new venues in a post-pandemic world.

Globally-renowned chef Jessi Singh has just launched his first Adelaide restaurant, Daughter In Law on Rundle St, and said operators in the eastern states were eyeing SA because of our current COVID-free status.

“With the world being hit so hard by COVID, this is such a blessing to be here. We knew we had to be a part of the Adelaide food and wine scene,” said Mr Singh, who has venues in New York, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and six restaurants in Melbourne and Sydney.

“SA has managed COVID really, really well … for a lot of operators like me this is one of the safest cities, rather than keep trying to open places in big cities where you’ve got so much competition and then with the virus, you’re the first one to get shut down.

“Adelaide has so much to offer and I also feel more welcome, when it comes to red tape, than compared to other cities. Doing business here was amazing – everything was so seamless.”

It’s been a difficult 12 months for the Indian-born chef, who was forced to temporarily close many of his restaurants due to tough restrictions.

Batata vada, Colonel Tso’s cauliflower, freshly shucked oysters with pineapple and gin granita and caviar at Daughter In Law. Picture: Emma Brasier

Now Mr Singh is relishing his move to Adelaide and excited to showcase his unique “Australian/American/Indian-ish” food to a new crowd.

“We are not authentic Indian food, not even I know what authentic Indian food is because back home, we just eat our mother and grandmother’s food,” said Mr Singh, who is already planning to open more hospitality venues around SA.

“For us, the food is very bold, very vibrant, yet we’re keeping the tradition … but yet it’s seen through a totally different lens.

Daughter In Law has opened on Rundle Street. Picture: Emma Brasier

“It’s colourful, it’s going to be loud, and it’s going to be fun. We’re bringing good times to Adelaide.”

Mr Singh’s partner in the business, former Penfolds Magill Estate and Raffles Hotel Singapore head sommelier Bhatia Dheeraj, has also returned to manage the restaurant and curate the extensive wine list.

“There’s so much going on here in SA in terms of food and beverage,” he said.

“It will be an SA-focused wine list but it also has to be approachable and have something for everyone. We’re very excited to be here.”