How Restaurant Zén is giving Singaporeans a taste for Swedish fine dining
14 courses are served in three floors, with beautifully presented food, prepared with Nordic and Japanese traditional culinary touches
The Swedes are here! But is Singapore ready?
It is exciting to know that a superlative three star establishment, Restaurant Frantzén, has opened in Singapore, its only fine dining outpost outside Stockholm, and, interestingly, in the space vacated by Restaurant Andre.
While there is no comparison between Restaurant Frantzén and Restaurant Zén, the latter has clearly inhabited the space with aplomb, setting in motion a culinary sensation in just three months. It now has a waiting list that stretches indefinitely. I did wonder if this was a ruse, the work of a clever PR machine.
But seeing and tasting is indeed believing. On arrival, there was no welcome outside the restaurant, so this did not bode well for a first impression.
However, once seated, head chef Tristan Farmer, who exudes affable Scottish warmth, was at my table within minutes. Doling out introductions, it wasn’t so much a meet the chef moment, but more like friends exchanging notes.
There are 14 courses served on three floors, with food prepared with Nordic and Japanese traditional culinary touches. Nordic exotic delicacies, such as the mackerel and beaver’s tail, did not make it onto the menu.
