Rotunda Bar and Restaurant
With the opening of Kings Place in 2008, John Nugent created Green & Fortune, encompassing Rotunda Bar and Restaurant, the Green & Fortune CafĆ© and Kings Place Events. Ten years later, the business has grown significantly with a team of almost 190 people and an annual turnover in excess of Ā£12.5 million. Green & Fortune is a vibrant and growing business, evolving alongside the broader Kingās Cross developments and beyond. The renovation of all the Green & Fortune entities at Kings Place has taken place over the summer, ready for a re-opening before the 10th birthday celebrations.
Rotunda closed on 27th July and fully re-opened in September 2018. Collaborating with Design LSM, who worked alongside main contractors Garenne Shopfitting, the redesign of Rotunda Bar and Restaurant emphasise two stand-out features ā the restaurantās āgate-to-plateā ethos and the extensive terrace overlooking Regentās Canal.
Andrew Harwood from DesignLSM told Premier Hospitality magazine: āOur brief was to evolve the existing design of the Rotunda Bar & Restaurant creating a new refined and relaxed interior that brings Green & Fortuneās passion for food to the forefront. We have undertaken an extensive refurbishment of the restaurant spaces, which have been enhanced with a new flexible design that has the ability to change to accommodate guestās varying needs. Our branding team have also revitalised the identity for Rotunda, introducing a new menu suite and signage to complement the new design scheme.ā
Significant changes include an open-to-view kitchen (relocated from the lower level of the building), a meat-ageing cabinet in the restaurant, a chefās counter, and a semi-enclosed terrace space with heaters, enabling the area to be used year-round. The refurbishment will further enhance the bar, elevate the private dining space and revamp the terrace garden, which is tended by Kingās Cross-based charity Global Generation.
The modern British-styled Rotunda restaurant focuses on informal dining with beef and lamb from its own farm in Northumberland at the heart of the menus. Green & Fortune hand, age and butcher the meat on-site, giving the chefs not only a reliable supply source, but also enabling them to creatively engage in ānose to tailā dish offerings.
āSo much has changed in Kingās Cross in recent years, and I am very proud that we were the early adopters of the area. Ten years into any business is a time for reflection and future planning,ā explained John Nugent.
āWe launched against a pretty difficult backdrop back in 2008 ā recessionary pressures, a new area yet to emerge from its past and a business proposition not previously considered in Kingās Cross. Today we look forward to further growing the business. All our spaces at Kings Place will be transformed, with new menus and well-crafted drinks offerings as we continue to deliver great hospitality.ā
When visionary property developer and arts supporter Peter Millican conceived Kings Palace, the vicinity around Kingās Cross and St Pancras stations was considered to be a risky, āno goā area by many. His vision a decade ago for a multi-faceted arts complex with concert halls, art galleries, offices, restaurants, bar and events spaces will mark the decade anniversary in October 2018. The naysayers of 2008 cannot help but be impressed by the enduring cultural programme and the dynamic food and drink offering with Green & Fortune, who co-partnered the Kings Place project from inception.
Andrew added: āWe were delighted to be a part of Green & Fortuneās 10– year anniversary refurbishment. The new design for Rotunda celebrates the brands established culinary offering whilst providing a relaxed dining and drinking experience for city workers.ā
Ticking many dining and drinking entertainment boxes, Rotunda Bar and Restaurant is open daily and is a thriving hub in the area as well as a go-to destination, known for its focus on British cuisine. The enviable waterside location and terrace also make it one of Londonās best spots for alfresco drinks and parties.