D&D London

Uncorked: Daniele Arcangeli

15-Feb-2024 By Joe Lutrario

The Tuscany-born head sommelier at London’s Michelin-starred Angler on legendary Florentine restaurant Enoteca Pinchiorri, Clos de Mesnil 1996 and his favourite Chianti Classico producers.

Business profile

D&D London's David Loewi on closures, the £60m sale, and life after Des

15-Jan-2024 By Joe Lutrario

A new owner, a spate of closures, and the exit of one of its founders has put D&D in the spotlight, but its CEO believes the future is bright for London’s largest high-end restaurant group.

Flash-grilled: Alexander Thiel

10-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

The executive chef at D&D London's German Gymnasium restaurant in King's Cross on eating 'real' döner kebabs, why he prefers Saturday Kitchen to MasterChef, and his dream dinner party guests.

Breal Capital buys Purity Brewing Company out of administration

02-Jan-2024 By Restaurant

The company behind recent deals for D&D London and Vinoteca has purchased Warwickshire-based brewery Purity Brewing Company out of administration.

Des Gunewardena to open a restaurant at The Royal Exchange

15-Dec-2023 By Restaurant

Des Gunewardena, former CEO of restaurant group D&D London, will embark on his first project since his departure from the multi-site restaurant group at the end of 2022.

D&D London’s David Loewi: “This deal is about us getting our mojo back”

15-Dec-2023 By Joe Lutrario

D&D London CEO David Loewi says that the recent sale of the group to Calveton and Breal Capital will help the circa 30-strong business “get its mojo back”.

Friday five: the week's top hospitality stories

20-Oct-2023 By Restaurant

A new restaurant from Dipna Anand, the sale of D&D London, and a row over tips at Miller & Carter are among the week's most-read stories.

£60m sale of D&D London 'imminent'

16-Oct-2023 By Restaurant

A sale of restaurant group D&D London for a price tag of £60m is ‘imminent’, according to its chief executive.

Friday five: the week's top hospitality stories

07-Jul-2023 By Restaurant

D&D's closure of Plateau, the closure of Le Pain Quotidien's sites and a new Covent Garden site for Caravan were among this week's top hospitality stories.

D&D quietly shutters Canary Wharf restaurant Plateau - updated

05-Jul-2023 By James McAllister

D&D London has quietly closed its contemporary French-style restaurant Plateau in London’s Canary Wharf.

Sticky Mango to open second location on former Cantina del Ponte site

03-Jul-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Chef restaurateur Peter Lloyd has taken the former Cantina del Ponte site near Tower Bridge for a second Sticky Mango restaurant.

Friday five: the week's top stories

23-Jun-2023 By Restaurant

A new restaurant from the som saa duo, a new purchase from Azzurri Group and a high court ruling that could have wide-reaching implications are among this week's top hospitality news story.

D&D appoints advisors to raise new finance as LDC exits group

19-Jun-2023 By James McAllister

D&D London has appointed advisors from Interpath Advisory’s corporate finance practice to explore raising new finance after confirming that its long-term backer LDC has exited the business.

Francesco Mazzei to leave D&D London

06-Apr-2023 By James McAllister

Chef Francesco Mazzei is to leave D&D London this month in order to spend more time travelling and focusing on his charity work.

Des Gunewardena plots his next move

24-Feb-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Former D&D London CEO Des Gunewardena is gearing up to launch his next venture in the sector, with a number of landmark venues set to open in London and Manchester.

D&D shutters sites in London and Leeds amid wider tranche of closures

05-Jan-2023 By James McAllister

D&D London has closed its Avenue and Radici restaurants in the capital, as well as East 59th in Leeds as part of a strategic review of its portfolio.

D&D London shutters Bristol restaurant Klosterhaus - updated

05-Jan-2023 By Joe Lutrario

D&D London has closed its Klosterhaus restaurant in Bristol after just over two years of trading, with the group citing 'current economic challenges' as being partly behind the decision.

Restaurant radar: October 2022

14-Oct-2022 By Restaurant

D&D's entrance into Birmingham, Rafael Cagali's second restaurant, a high-end Japanese venue in Manchester and a new launch from messrs Henderson and Gulliver are among this month's key new restaurant launches.

Des Gunewardena steps away from D&D London

30-Sep-2022 By Restaurant

D&D London co-founder Des Gunewardena has left business after 16 years.

Incipio acquires former Aster site for new wet led concept

15-Aug-2022 By James McAllister

Incipio Group is to launch a new wet led concept next month on the site previously occupied by D&D London's Aster restaurant in London Victoria’s Nova development.

Baton Berisha swaps D&D London for The Wolseley Hospitality Group after just three months

04-Aug-2022 By James McAllister

Baton Berisha is set to be named as chief executive of The Wolseley Hospitality Group, having left his role as managing director at D&D London after just three months.

Uncorked: Michele Orbolato

03-Aug-2022 By Joe Lutrario

The head sommelier at D&D London’s Le Pont de la Tour and the recently launched Le Pont de la Tour Bistrot on Piedmont-based wine superstar Angelo Gaja and wines from Spain’s Bierzo DOP.

D&D London launches its first dedicated events space in the UK

20-Jul-2022 By Restaurant

D&D London has launched a permanent venue for its outside event’s arm Alexander & Björck (A&B) at the site of the former Blueprint Café.

D&D London closes Aster after five years

15-Jul-2022 By Restaurant

D&D London has closed its Aster restaurant in London Victoria’s Nova development after five years of trading.

D&D confirms October opening for first Birmingham restaurant

17-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

D&D London have revealed details on its long gestating first Birmingham restaurant, which is set to open at 103 Colmore Row, the city's tallest office building, in October 2022.

Latest opening: Le Pont Bistrot

27-May-2022 By James McAllister

D&D London have created a casual offshoot of their riverside restaurant Le Pont de la Tour that's housed in the restaurant's former bar area.

Friday five: the week's top stories

22-Apr-2022 By Restaurant

D&D potential sale, the announcement of the Chef to Watch shortlist, and Rochelle Canteen co-founder Margot Henderson opening her first pub were among this week's most read stories.

D&D to expand Le Pont de la Tour brand with Bistrot concept

21-Apr-2022 By James McAllister

D&D London is to overhaul the bar space adjacent to its riverside restaurant Le Pont de la Tour and relaunch it as a new 'relaxed' bistro concept.

Baton Berisha named D&D London managing director

20-Apr-2022 By Restaurant

Former Ivy Collection chief executive Baton Berisha is to join D&D London as its managing director.

D&D London to undergo auction

19-Apr-2022 By James McAllister

D&D London is set to undergo a sale process, which could value the group at £100m.

People on the move: April 2022

06-Apr-2022 By Joe Lutrario

This month's jobs moves include a raft of new appointments and promotions at Wiltshire's Whatley Manor and a new chef for Eldr Dining Rooms at Pantechnicon.

How I Got Here: Ian Toogood

16-Feb-2022 By James McAllister

The American-born general manager of the D&D London-owned Launceston Place on a life spent working in hospitality, and changing the perception that working in restaurants is not a 'real career'.

New Year’s revolution: how the hospitality sector will combat the staffing crisis in 2022

06-Dec-2021 By James McAllister

Labour shortages have left hospitality businesses across the country scrambling for staff, and desperate to find a long-term solution to the recruitment crisis.

D&D London's Des Gunewardena: "I’m working on 16 deals over the next two to three years"

18-Oct-2021 By Stefan Chomka

D&D London is looking to grow its estate significantly in the next two to three years with 16 potential projects in the UK and overseas currently in the pipeline.

D&D London unveils permanent chef training programme

13-Oct-2021 By James McAllister

D&D London has announced it will be permanently rolling out its chef training programme that it launched over the summer.

Latest opening: Haugen

06-Oct-2021 By Restaurant

D&D London's latest venue is an impressive chalet chic restaurant where there's very little chance of you leaving hungry.

D&D London set for £100m takeover

04-Oct-2021 By James McAllister

High-end restaurant group D&D London is reportedly close to being acquired by Montecito Equity Partners.

Coming of age: Ben Murphy on making new moves at Launceston Place

02-Aug-2021 By Stefan Chomka

Recently promoted to chef-patron, the D&D London-employed chef has ditched the gimmicks at his Kensington restaurant and is pushing hard for a Michelin star.

D&D London extends summer school training programme

29-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

D&D London is to continue with its paid summer school training programme, which aims to secure employment for people looking to enter hospitality but have little or no previous experience.

D&D promotes Ben Murphy to chef patron of Launceston Place

19-Jul-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Ben Murphy has been promoted from head chef to chef patron of D&D London’s Launceston Place restaurant in Kensington.

D&D London launches Summer School in aim to boost recruitment

01-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

D&D London is to launch a paid summer school training programme that aims to secure employment for people looking to enter hospitality but have little or no previous experience.

D&D London’s new Stratford restaurant to have Alpine theme

23-Jun-2021 By Joe Lutrario

D&D London’s upcoming Stratford restaurant is to be called Haugen and will take inspiration from Alpine dining in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France.

Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards 2021: Restaurateur of the Year shortlist

19-May-2021 By Restaurant

Through adversity comes opportunity, as this year’s shortlisted restaurateurs have proven in the past 12 months.

Dishoom, D&D and The Dorchester Collection recognised at Springboard Awards

19-Mar-2021 By Restaurant

Restaurant and hotel businesses including Dishoom, Made in Oldstead, D&D London The Dorchester Collection & 45 Park Lane were named winners at last night’s (18 March) Springboard Virtual Awards for Excellence.

Outside chance: hospitality gears up for alfresco April

15-Mar-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Many operators are throwing everything they have at outdoor dining this April and beyond. But will the industry make hay while the sun shines or will the whole exercise be a damp squib?

All eyes on Chancellor as business leaders call Budget 'most important day in history of hospitality’

03-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality leaders have implored Rishi Sunak to properly support businesses in today's (3 March) Budget, describing it as 'arguably the most important day in the history of the sector'.

Hospitality in crisis: what will happen when the lease forfeiture moratorium expires?

28-Jan-2021 By James McAllister

The end of the lease forfeiture moratorium will leave the hospitality sector facing a multibillion-pound arrears bill, with fears that a bloodbath for small businesses is just around the corner

D&D London considers suburban sites as it plans for post-Covid era

15-Jan-2021 By James McAllister

High-end restaurant group D&D London is considering expanding its suburban presence in light of the changes to people's social behaviour caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

D&D's Des Gunewardena: "Covid has cost our business £2.5m a month'

11-Jan-2021 By Restaurant

D&D London chairman and CEO Des Gunewardena has written to the Chancellor ahead of today’s (11 January) parliamentary debate on support for the hospitality sector asking the Government to properly compensate businesses forced to closed by the Coronavirus.

Des Gunewardena: "Restaurants are vital to the UK's social fabric - they need to be supported"

22-Dec-2020 By James McAllister

Des Gunewardena has called on the Government to fund more support for struggling restaurants by introducing a Covid-tax on industries that have benefited from the pandemic.