Björn Frantzén’s first fine-dining restaurant in the region will debut at Atlantis, The Palm next month.
Despite the diversity of Dubai’s dining scene, the city hasn’t really had a frame of reference for Swedish cuisine — unless you count the meatballs at Ikea, that is. Now, with Swedish footballer-turned-chef Björn Frantzén debuting FZN at Atlantis, The Palm on 8 November, that’s about to change in a big way. The sister restaurant to three-Michelin-starred Frantzén in Stockholm and Zén in Singapore, the new eatery promises an intimate experience that will fit nicely into the property’s fine-dining portfolio thanks to its modern European tasting menu with Japanese influences.
Frantzén, for the uninitiated, is renowned for being the first chef to create truly immersive dining experiences, and FZN will be no exception. From the moment guests arrive at the restaurant, the journey will begin with a ring of the doorbell, followed by entry into a chic, gold-accented hallway adorned in rich maroon tones. An elevator ride will then transport diners to a corridor filled with greenery, leading to a living room styled like a luxurious apartment in which vibrant colours, playful prints, and striking art pieces set the mood. Here, guests will indulge in canapés before being presented with the day’s ingredients.
Throughout the experience, diners will be able to enjoy FZN’s distinctive atmosphere, enhanced by a playlist of 300 songs personally curated by Frantzén himself. This eclectic mix will feature international music ranging from The Smiths to Guns N’ Roses to create the perfect upbeat energy that his restaurants are known – and celebrated – for. Guests will then embark on a guided house tour before entering the dining room that accommodates just 27 people. This space includes 13 seats around the open kitchen, offering a front-row view of the culinary craftsmanship, as well as four tables for up to 14 guests.
During this time, the service team will guide diners through nine courses featuring dishes such as duck “bbq” with yuzu, Kampot pepper and foie gras, chawanmushi with smoked beef broth and “Frantzén selection” caviar as well as turbot with Cecina de wagyu, barigoule and pine shoot. Not only will you discover what makes Frantzén’s techniques so innovative, but also embark on a culinary exploration of Nordic flavours, with ingredients such as Norwegian king crab and langoustine reimagined in the chef’s signature style. Further elevating the tasting menu is a staggering selection of over 1,200 wines – smaller producers and internationally established labels included – from the FZN cellar alongside a non-alcoholic pairing.
It’s also who is at the helm that has foodies intrigued: Torsten Vildgaard. The impressive background of this executive chef includes opening his own Michelin-starred restaurant and over a decade at the legendary Noma in Denmark. FZN will be one of two new restaurants opening at Atlantis, The Palm, with the social dining concept Studio Frantzén also set to debut this fall. Bookings for FZN by Björn Frantzén are now available for the month of November via SevenRooms.
DSCVR: FZN. Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. @restaurantfzn
