Des Gunewardena reveals details of upcoming Royal Exchange restaurant

Des Gunewardena has outlined further details of his Royal Exchange restaurant, which is due to launch as Engel and Jang this June.

The former chief executive of D&D London revealed plans to open the flagship site under his new hospitality company, D3 Collective, in the City of London last year.

He has taken a 15-year lease on a 6,500 sq ft space, which will also feature a bar and event area hosting live music and entertainment.

D&D London previously operated the Grand Café, Sauterelle restaurant, Threadneedle Bar and the Gallery at the Royal Exchange for 15 years prior to exiting the site in 2018.

The venue will now be home to two new Gunewardena concepts in the mezzanine level of the building, which opened in 1566 and is home to luxury shops such as Tiffany & Co.

D3 Collective’s Engel cocktail bar and performance space will occupy the north and east mezzanines and draw inspiration from 1920s Berlin.

The bar team will be led by Mihai Burca, formerly of Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in New Milton and the Pig Hotels, who will offer twists on classic and vintage cocktails.

The adjoining performance space, Engel Live, will showcase live cabaret music, as well as being available for private hire.

Meanwhile, the Jang restaurant on the south mezzanine will serve modern interpretations of Korean and Japanese cuisine. It will be led by Dana Choi, who was formerly executive chef at Judy Joo’s Seoul Bird.

Gunewardena said: “We’re excited about Engel and Jang bringing something new and different to the Royal Exchange with their unique approach to design, dining, and entertainment.

“Engel is very much a venue for today but inspired by the spirit of 1920s Berlin. Jang will offer a more intimate dining experience that, at its heart, celebrates Korean cuisine. We hope, through Jang, that Korean cuisine will become more widely enjoyed and appreciated in London.”

The project is being overseen by operations director Kim Sin Tae and general manager Jose Ubero, both of whom worked with Gunewardena at D&D London.

Gunewardena left D&D London in June 2022, 16 years after co-founding the group with David Loewi.

D&D was sold to Calveton and Breal Capital for a reported £60m towards the end of last year.

Gunewardena has also signed a deal to open a 9,500 sq ft restaurant in London’s Canary Wharf later this year.