Björn Swanson opens bistro

BERLIN On 8 October 2024, SWAN&SON will celebrate its opening at Giesebrechtstrasse 3 in Charlottenburg, making a statement for the west of Berlin. With SWAN&SON, Björn Swanson, entrepreneur and star chef of the renowned FAELT restaurant in Schöneberg and his company of the same name for gastronomic concept development and consulting, is fulfilling his dream of opening his own bistro.

On 250 square metres, designed by the architecture studio Boucherie + Vollmert in the spirit and style of the late sixties and early seventies, SWAN&SON invites its guests to indulge in culinary delights from 09:00 in the morning until 01:00 at night. In addition to the regular dining area, the bistro also has a real and quite rare gem in the form of "the hidden room". Accessible via a separate entrance, the hidden room promises pure exclusivity for discreet conversations and special occasions away from the public eye.

A new chapter

With SWAN&SON, Berlin entrepreneur Björn Swanson has come full circle after 20 years in the world of Michelin-starred gastronomy. SWAN&SON embodies much of what Björn Swanson learnt during his training with Herbert Beltle at the Altes Zollhaus: top quality, as uncomplicated as possible and always with the guest in mind. "It sounds simple, but at the same time it's incredibly complicated, because it requires sound craftsmanship and good training. Unfortunately, both are increasingly disappearing from our industry," says Björn Swanson. In future, SWAN&SON will serve a wide range of culinary highlights - from cosy breakfasts, casual lunches and lively aperitifs to champagne and oysters at the end of the day or an elegant dinner.

The menu includes forgotten dishes such as "Falscher Hase" with Périgord truffles and "Thermidor" lobster with porcini mushrooms. Popular classics such as Wiener schnitzel from pasture-fed veal and signature dishes such as Swanson's Boston cream donut with imperial caviar also find their place on the varied SWAN&SON menu. The dishes are served on exquisite crockery from Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur - KPM, while the ambience of the bistro with its straightforward interior transports guests back to the late 1960s and early 1970s. Retro-modern without the flowery kitsch - a little more James Bond than the Olsen gang. Situated in a listed Wilhelminian-style building, SWAN&SON offers the perfect setting for an elegant, contemporary and casual experience. The entire bistro with around 75 seats is available for special occasions such as weddings, company celebrations or stylish events. The "the hidden room", which can also be booked, offers space for up to twelve additional guests and scores points with its separate entrance and pure exclusivity.

Björn Swanson's unconventional approach

Björn Swanson has always followed an unconventional path in the catering industry, which brought him great success early on. His career is characterised by a unique way of thinking: Swanson likes to look at things differently, thinking "further ahead". He switches effortlessly between vision and pragmatism. These qualities are certainly one of the reasons for his rise in the culinary world. Swanson was moulded by visionary teachers such as Herbert Beltle, Christian Lohse, Michael Kempf and Paul Urchs, who helped him to develop his own style. A style that is not only based on classic cookery, but also on a creative and flexible approach. His FAELT restaurant is a perfect example of this. Since its opening in October 2020, it has epitomised everything that is important to Swanson: high-quality cuisine without the pressure to be typically fine dining. No hipster attitude, no dogmatic approaches, just precision craftsmanship and warm, relaxed service. This approach quickly earned the charming neighbourhood restaurant a Michelin star. Swanson's philosophy at SWAN&SON is that eating and drinking should be fun.

Loyalty is rewarded

The new SWAN&SON has a tempting offer for regular guests and anyone who wants to become one: the swanClub. Members can look forward to numerous exclusive advantages and benefits, including a glass of Ruinart champagne with every visit, discounts on events, an exclusive "kitchen party" with star chef friends and a guaranteed table reservation - even for spontaneous visits - regardless of the day and time. With a one-off investment, you can secure these privileges for five years and enjoy the hotel's special service at all times.

Björn Swanson and his team look forward to welcoming their guests to SWAN&SON. For Swanson, it's more than just another restaurant - it's a place where the guests' wishes take centre stage. "It's going to be phenomenal!" he promises. And if his previous projects are any indication, his future guests are in for a treat. More information at swanson-bistro.com and on Instagram: @swan_and_son