When Des Gunewardena left his role as one half of D&D London - one of the capital’s biggest restaurant groups - last year, it was big news. Six months later, Gunewardena is on the way back, planning a spate of new sites that includes landmark locations in London and Manchester.
Originally reported by MCA, Gunewardena is getting ready to announce five new projects - one in the City of London, three in the West End, and another in Manchester. He expects to announce the first project formally in the spring.
In an interview with MCR, Gunewardena explained that the new sites would focus on food but also on the overall experience, much like restaurants in the D&D stable. ‘I’ve eaten in a lot of restaurants lately that are just about the food,’ he explained, ‘while at our end of the market operators are focussing not just on food but the overall going out experience.
‘It’s what we’ve always been about at D&D, creating restaurants which give people memorable experiences on top of great food and drink.’
He goes on to explain that his new venues will explore a range of new concepts and cuisines, particularly the food of South Asia, Indochina and Japan. A new Italian concept is also planned for one of the sites. ‘There will be a broader range of food than you might traditionally have seen at D&D,’ he says.
‘I want to do things where people say, wow, that’s different, it’s fun, it’s busy, it’s got a great atmosphere. That’s really what I’m focused on.’
That desire may stretch further afield than just the UK too. D&D opened Guastavino’s in New York back in 2000 and Gunewardena still sees the US as an area with a lot of potential for his own plans. ‘I’m looking at the US the whole time,’ he says.
‘At D&D I felt long-term the US was a huge potential growth area, and I still feel the same.’
Stay tuned for more news on what Gunewardena’s plans may be for the rest of the year. In the meantime, if you love a restaurant that delivers on food as well as aesthetics, check out our list of London’s most Instagrammable restaurants.