Björn Frantzén opens restaurant in Dubai

DUBAI. Dubai's most famous resort has made it its mission to bring top-class culinary cuisine to the region. Together with one of the world's most renowned chefs, Atlantis, The Palm is now expanding its culinary heritage. With the opening of the new FZN by Björn Frantzén, the luxury hotel is offering guests a new, intimate fine dining experience. Even before the official opening of FZN, guests can make reservations for November and look forward to a modern European tasting menu with Japanese influences. FZN is one of two new restaurants opening at Atlantis, The Palm. The social dining concept Studio Frantzén will follow shortly.

Indulgence and style in perfect harmony

On arrival at FZN, the journey begins as soon as you ring the doorbell and enter an elegant hallway decorated in gold and glowing in rich shades of brown. A lift ride then takes guests to a hallway decorated with lush greenery, which leads to a lounge designed like a luxurious flat: bold colours, playful prints and eye-catching artwork create an atmosphere. Here, guests can indulge in canapés before being presented with the ingredients of the day. Throughout their stay, they enjoy the distinctive atmosphere of the FZN, which is further enhanced by a playlist of 300 songs personally compiled by Björn Frantzén. This varied mix of international music from The Smiths to Guns N' Roses creates the perfect, upbeat atmosphere for which the top chef's restaurants are known and celebrated.

After a tour of the restaurant, we head to the dining room, which only seats 27 people. The room is equipped with 13 seats around the open kitchen, which provides a direct view of the culinary craft, as well as four tables for up to 14 guests. The service team will guide you through nine courses, including dishes such as grilled duck with yuzu, Kampot pepper and foie gras, chawanmushi with smoked beef broth and "Frantzén Selection" caviar, and turbot with cecina de wagyu, barigoule and pine shoots. The menu is prepared using a blend of Frantzén's innovative techniques and the best seasonal ingredients from around the world. Guests can also look forward to exploring Nordic flavours, with ingredients such as Norwegian king crab and langoustine reinterpreted in the unmistakable Frantzén style.

Culinary delights: 1,200 wines and skyline views

To enhance the flavour experience, the dishes will be paired with a selection of more than 1,200 wines, including wines from smaller producers to internationally established brands. FZN will also offer a non-alcoholic pairing developed by the Frantzén Group over the last ten years. Guests can choose between a wine pairing, a non-alcoholic pairing or a combination of both, as well as a selection of wines from the FZN cellar.

After the dining room experience, it's back to the living room to enjoy a selection of petit fours, tea and coffee. For those wishing to extend their experience, the 18-seat terrace with views of the Dubai skyline is the perfect place to relax.

Bookings for the FZN by Björn Frantzén are now open for November. Seats for the coming months will be released on the first day of each month at 10am. The FZN starts on Friday 8 November and is open every Tuesday to Saturday from 19:00, with last admission at 20:15. The minimum age for guests is 13 years. The menu costs the equivalent of around 490 euros, with an additional option for a wine pairing from 345 euros, a mixed wine pairing for 270 euros and a non-alcoholic wine pairing for 184 euros. Reservations can be made here or by emailing receptionfzn@restaurantfzn.com.

Top chef Björn Frantzén combines global expertise under one roof

Top chef Björn Frantzèn is known for creating impressive culinary experiences, and the FZN will be no exception. For the new restaurant, the top chef has put together an international team of 20 nationalities under the leadership of Managing Director Karin Ågren. Karin Ågren has been with the Frantzén Group for seven years and was also part of the management team at Frantzén in Stockholm. Head chef Torsten Vildgaard, who has already opened his own Michelin-starred restaurant and worked for over a decade at the world-famous, three Michelin-starred Noma in Denmark, will be in charge of the kitchen.

Björn Frantzén turned the culinary scene in Scandinavia on its head when he opened his restaurant Frantzén in 2008. Just one year later, the restaurant received its first Michelin star and has continued to improve ever since. It currently holds three Michelin stars and is number 35 on the list of the world's 50 best restaurants. He made his first debut in Asia with the opening of Zén, which was also awarded three stars. A true testament to Björn's pioneering gastronomy is that he is currently ranked 41st on the Top 100 list of the best chefs. The renowned restaurant guide La Liste recently announced its top 1000 restaurants of 2024, in which Frantzén and Zén are represented.