Man charged with Hornsby date murder

A man accused of wounding his ex-partner and stabbing to death the man she was on a first date with will remain in custody.

Alexander Villaluna did not apply for bail after being charged with the murder of Keith Collins, 53, and the attempted murder of 38-year-old Jovi Pilapil, in a frenzied attack at a busy Sydney restaurant.

Horrified patrons fled in terror from the Kang Nam BBQ restaurant in the Hornsby Westfield Shopping Centre as the pair were stabbed repeatedly on Wednesday night during their first date.

Ms Pilapil, who had taken out an apprehended violence order against Villaluna less than two months ago, is recovering in Royal North Shore Hospital after undergoing surgery.

Following the brutal attack, Villaluna, 44, allegedly sat covered in blood beside a fountain and waited about five minutes for police.

He didn't apply for bail during a brief appearance before Hornsby Local Court late on Thursday and will remain behind bars until his case returns to court on May 26.