After more than four years, Windsor’s Saigon Sally will close on September 3.

Saigon Sally opened in February of 2013, and is the second restaurant from the team behind Hanoi Hannah (and later Tokyo Tina). They described Sally as Hannah’s “slightly more mature yet promiscuous older sister”, offering a more refined selection of Vietnamese-influenced dishes.

The restaurant will undergo renovations and re-open as a Thai spot called BKK in late September.

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“It’s goodbye for now – but not forever – as we’re keeping our eyes peeled for a CBD or interstate site for Sally,” co-owner Simon Blacher said in a statement. “We’d like to keep her spirit alive in the meanwhile so you’ll be seeing some signature dishes pop up on the menu at Hanoi Hannah.”

Blacher says a desire to keep the “loyal clientele … stimulated and inspired” is the reason for the change.

Sean Judd, formerly of Nahm (in Bangkok), Longrain and Chin Chin, has been tapped as BKK’s new head chef.

“Sean has been a friend and colleague for a while, stepping into the Saigon Sally kitchen a few months ago,“ Blacher tells Broadsheet. “His experience and knowledge around Thai food is exceptional. He made a delicious staff meal of boat noodles and we collectively came to the realisation that Thai is the right direction for him.

“The area has a become known for Asian food in general but we feel that authentic, punchy big flavoured Thai is yet to be explored. And no, there will not be any pad Thai or chicken satay on the menu.“

A dramatic refurbishment will involve a new cocktail bar and event space. The team will be handling the refit themselves.

“The bones of the restaurant are great and we want a casual yet unique feel to the space. Music has always been a big part our restaurants and that will never change,“ Blacher says. “There will not be any neon in sight.“

Judd's new menu will include dishes such as gai yang (turmeric and lemongrass chicken cooked over smoke) and som tam tod (a papaya nest salad).

“We love the big flavours of Thai food as well as its scope,“ Blacher says. “The cuisine has breadth, it changes entirely depending on which part of the country you are in. We enjoy the style of eating, in that multiple dishes come at once and you can just dig in with friends and family.“

BKK will be open Wednesday until Sunday from 5pm and will take bookings for tables of six or more.