Scandinavia House, the leading center for Nordic culture in the United States, is now home to a brand new dining experience Björk Cafe & Bistro, which is serving a menu of tasty Scandinavian classics, American favorites with a Nordic twist, and seasonal favorites–and they’re now open and serving guests!
Operated by renowned Swedish chef Ulrika Bengtsson and her business partner Sabina Lindmark, the new dining spot is an extension of Bengtsson’s famous Swedish restaurant Ulrika’s which opened in Manhattan’s Upper East Side in the late ’90s.
Located on the ground-floor, Björk, meaning “birch” in English, was designed with Scandinavian values taken into consideration–the space is filled with natural textures and features a color palette of greens and off-whites with bold rustic accents scattered throughout, all in collaboration with Swedish brands.
“We will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” Bengtsson said. “We will definitely offer herring, smörgåsbord, shrimp, gravlax; and among many more dishes, of course, the traditional meatballs, which can be made with beef, chicken, fish, or even be plant-based, served with lingonberries and cucumbers. We will also have cinnamon buns and other Scandinavian pastries.”
The new space also offers specialty happy hour drinks Monday through Friday from 4p.m. – 6p.m. Saturdays and Sundays you can enjoy brunch classics from 11a.m. – 4p.m., and daily specials are offered Monday through Friday which consist of a salad, small soup, bread, and a coffee for $20.
“We want this to be a welcoming, friendly, everyday place where people can come with their children or their business acquaintances, and feel comfortable while getting an authentic taste of Scandinavian cuisine. We want them to be able to have a lunch meeting, but also celebrate a birthday or even a wedding anniversary,” stated Bengtsson.
Björk Cafe & Bistro is located at 58 Park Avenue on the ground floor of Scandinavia House and is open Monday 11a.m. – 3pm., Tuesday-Friday 11a.m. – 8p.m., and Saturday-Sunday 11a.m. – 4p.m.
Reservations can be made here.