The restaurant will be located on George Street following One Voice Hospitality’s acquisition of the Marylebone letting on behalf of Loftus Family Property. The site, formerly occupied by Japanese restaurant Defune, which traded for over 25 years, comprises a 792sq ft ground floor and a 1,516sq ft basement.
Empire Empire is Gunpowder’s concept inspired by India’s late 1970s dining culture. It made its debut on Notting Hill’s All Saints Road in 2023 and within six months was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
The restaurant is known for its array of classic curries, biryanis, kebabs and tikkas, all rooted in the Punjabi region of the Indian subcontinent. It will offer a contemporary sharing-plate concept with long tables prompting a social dining format.
The Grade II listed building was the site of the historical Westmoreland Arms pub and Baweja and his team are looking to restore the pub to its former glory. In the basement, the group will introduce Rose & Rifle, a bespoke speakeasy concept combining the character of a traditional public house with a refined, neo-bistro approach. It will have two private dining rooms along with a bar serving accessibly priced pints from London based breweries and a wine list championing small-batch, biodynamic wines.
According to One Voice Hospitality, the site attracted significant interest, generating multiple competitive offers which, following a robust selection process, resulted in Gunpowder being chosen for its proven operational track record and ability to deliver a compelling, multi-layered hospitality offering.
“We were fortunate to receive a significant number of offers for what is one of Marylebone’s best corner opportunities,” says Ted Schama, founder of One Voice Hospitality.
“Ultimately, Gunpowder stood out - not just for their track record, but for their ability to deliver something layered and genuinely exciting across both floors.
“Empire Empire will bring a proven, high-quality restaurant concept to the street, while Rose & Rifle adds a real point of difference - something more intimate, more experiential.
“It’s exactly the type of operator and proposition that enhances an estate like this.”
Gunpowder comprises three Indian restaurants under the Gunpowder brand, in Soho, Tower Bridge and Spitalfields, as well as its sibling brand Empire Empire, chicken concept Fortune Fried Chicken and bakery Moi et Toi.