A project that has been two and a half years in the making is about to become a reality: the development of a vast 2,000m2 food court in the Belle Etoile shopping centre is in the home stretch. The opening is scheduled for 31 August, at the start of the weekend of festivities for the famous Braderie, which livens up Luxembourg’s shopping scene every year.

The name? G.A.N.G., an acronym for générosité, amour, nourriture and goût (generosity, love, food and taste), explains , who initiated the project alongside Salvatore Barberio. “This name is a reference to the bonds of friendship that unite us, but also to the grouping of different concepts in which we wish to highlight the employees of our brands,” explains Barberio, founder of Grand Café by Red Beef.

Grand Café by Red Beef and Um Plateau in Bertrange

Barberio’s flagship restaurant in the place d’Armes is now launching its second location, with a new rotisserie and a completely redesigned space. From the tables opposite the counter, customers can watch the cooking team in action, while those looking for privacy can take advantage of one of the four other areas set aside for small tables in alcoves or for groups.

With its kitchens opening onto a vast 2,000m2 hall, the restaurant area formerly occupied by a Cactus Inn has been transformed under the supervision of interior designer Véronique Witmeur. Photo: Romain Gamba/Maison Moderne

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In the Specto, the décor will be resolutely lounge-like, for a theatrical gourmet experience designed by Morris Clip. Photo: Romain Gamba/Maison Moderne

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The Um Plateau dining bar will be ready by 31 August for the public opening of this vast project initiated by Stéphanie Jauquet and Salvatore Barberio. Photo: Romain Gamba/Maison Moderne

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For the restaurateur, this is the first time he has worked with the interior designer and artistic director of Cocottes, Véronique Witmeur.

Jauquet, the owner of Cocottes, is importing her famous Um Plateau dining bar under the guidance of Florian Pawlik. On the menu are over 400 different spirits, plus a DJ on hand from Thursday to Saturday to keep the place lively until 1am.

Specto and an embarrassment of riches

G.A.N.G. also marks the return to the kitchen of chef Morris Clip for Specto, a restaurant concept in a lounge and theatrical setting, where diners are treated to a gourmet show based on cooking methods. “The idea is to put together a menu based on the type of cooking: Japanese barbecue, oven, deep fried and wok,” explains Jauquet.

With these three restaurants, we offer three different concepts, three different experiences and three different price levels.

Stéphanie Jauquet, initiator, G.A.N.G.

“With these three restaurants, we offer three different concepts, three different experiences and three different price levels,” she sums up. In addition to this trio, there will be a 250-seat food corner offering a vast choice from coffee and pastries to pizza, pasta, burgers, roasts, Asian-inspired cuisine and, last but not least, apéritifs, with a dozen beers on tap.

Up to 500 places

130 employees are expected to work in this food court, which represents an investment of nearly €10m euros for its initiators, supported by the owners of the shopping centre. The shopping centre attracts 6m visitors a year, which means that its food and beverage offer is now well established.

The Cocottes chain in the shopping centre will remain in place. In total, Jauquet employs 300 people in her various outlets, and her colleague 180. Their respective payrolls are expected to rise to 380 and 230 once the project in Bertrange is up and running.

Open seven days a week and with round-the-clock service, the restaurant space has three entrances and can seat 500 guests. A terrace could be added by next year.

This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.