Northern light: Björn Frantzén launches a restaurant at Harrods

Never one to do things by halves, Harrods has recently welcomed one of the world’s most celebrated chefs in a brand-new dining venture.

Studio Frantzén is the first UK launch for critically acclaimed Swedish chef Björn Frantzén. Best known for his eponymous three-Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore and Stockholm, the former footballer (yes, really) now brings a “neo-Nordic” concept restaurant with Asian influences to Harrods.

The 150-seat restaurant, roof terrace and bars – custom built for the iconic department store – will serve an à la carte menu that balances delicate and unique Scandi-Japanese flavours, with plenty of fresh fish, seafood and dishes ‘from the fireplace’. Harrods highlights the “fireplace” speciality of grilled porterhouse steak with pine-scented bone marrow and oxtail ponzu, as well as the blistered lobster dish with curry hollandaise, pomegranate-infused mirin, dried cloudberries, ginger and coriander butter.

Frantzén acknowledges Harrods as ‘one of the most celebrated institutions in the world’.

‘Over the past few years there have been several projects and opportunities in London, but none have felt right until now,’ he added. ‘I worked in England early on in my career and really got a feel for, in my opinion, one of the most interesting cities in the world, so it feels right to be coming back to open in London.’

Ashley Saxton, general manager of restaurants at Harrods, called the news a ‘monumental next step’.

‘For us now to be bringing the creativity and culinary innovation of Björn Frantzén to our guests is hugely exciting,’ he said.

Studio Frantzén is now open at Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL. Make your reservation at harrods.com