This, his first Singapore outpost and only his second outside Sweden, takes over the previous home of shuttered Restaurant André
It seems like only yesterday that food lovers in Singapore were lamenting the closure of Restaurant Andre in February, excited at the same time about the hot new restaurant concept that would take over the space.
Well, the wait is over. On November 21, acclaimed Swedish chef and restaurateur Björn Frantzén, in partnership with Unlisted Collection, will open restaurant Zén, only his second outpost outside Sweden, in the said three-storey building in Bukit Pasoh.
This is an interesting though not entirely unexpected move for Frantzén, who had opened his first international restaurant concept Frantzen's Kitchen in Hong Kong late last year.
“The gastronomy of Frantzén is influenced by the simplicity and elegance of Nordic, French and Japanese cuisine, so to be able to open this restaurant in Singapore that is such a cultural and gastronomic melting pot is an incredible and exciting opportunity,” says Frantzén in a statement released today.
Zén is Björn’s first international restaurant to serve only a tasting menu. And in case some were wondering, its name is a play on the chef’s last name and not a nod to the Japanese influences in his style of cuisine.
That said, guests familiar with his eponymous three-Michelin starred restaurant in Stockholm will recognise similar details in both the menu and ambience at restaurant Zén, which occupies all three floors of the former shophouse.
The menu may include some signature dishes from Restaurant Frantzen, said a spokesperson. But it will also feature entirely new ones featuring ingredients that are availalbe in Singapore but not in Sweden.
The interior of the restaurant is created in collaboration with Joyn Studios Architects, the team behind the award-winning design of his restaurants in Stockholm and Hong Kong.
Helming the Singapore kitchen is head chef Tristin Farmer, whose professional background includes stints at Maze by Gordon Ramsay in London, Aberdeen Street Social in Hong Kong and Marina Social in Dubai. Executive chef Marcus Jernmark of restaurant Frantzén will oversee operations during the first months.
The front of house will be led by general manager Aaron Jacobson, previously from three-Michelin-star Benu in San Francisco.
Tables for November and December will be released on October 1. Reservations for the following months will be available on the first of each month at 10am. Visit restaurantzen.com for more information.