Fun dining, rather than fine dining, is what’s on the menu at the newly opened pop-up restaurant created by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

Seventy-four lucky people were handed official bragging rights last night as the first to taste the cuisine at ‘Samuelsson at HP’, opened from now until August 3. The menu boasts some of Mr Samuelsson’s signature items such as Cornbread with Honey Butter and Tomato Jam, along with traditional Bermudian staples including, Fish Chowder Croquettes with Rum Aioli.

Nils Norén, Vice President of the Samuelsson Group, worked alongside the celebrity chef to craft the menu.

“I think both of us, we travel a lot around the world so that informs the food we make,” said Mr Norén, a renown chef in his own right. “Our menus have a lot to do with global cuisine, yet are anchored in New York, Harlem. It’s fun bold flavours, but it’s hard to describe.”

Mr Norén has worked alongside Ethiopian-born, Swedish-raised chef, and restaurateur, Mr Samuelsson, since the mid 1990s.

“We started cooking and working together, and it has evolved from that,” he said. “In 2006 I took a little break from that to head up the largest culinary school in New York (The French Culinary Institute). Then when Marcus started his own restaurant group he said ‘Why don’t you help out for a little bit and consult?’ There were too many restaurants for me to do it part time so we made it full time.”

He said working with Mr Samuelsson has been an “incredible journey” and admitted he feels fortunate to have been able to contribute to many different things in many different places.

“At the end of the day it’s the most rewarding thing to get to work with young people like [Bermuda College culinary arts graduate] Eron [Woods] and young people living in New York and help them get to where they want in their career.”

Mr Samuelsson currently owns restaurants in New York, Sweden and Norway.

His signature restaurant in Bermuda is expected to open next May. Until then the pop-up restaurant is aiming to whet people’s appetites for what’s to come.

Mr Norén said they were inspired to create a signature restaurant in Bermuda, after being approached by Hamilton Princess owners, the Green family, with the idea.

“We started talking and we said ‘Yes, this is a great opportunity’ and both myself and Marcus came here and loved the Island,” he said.

Some of his favourite dishes on the menu are the Fish Chowder Croquettes, the Jerk Pork Belly and the Spiced Smoked Salmon,

Mr Norén also recommended the Catch of the Day, which is prepared fresh, daily, from fisherman Steven Cabral’s catch. “It’s right from the boat, straight into the kitchen,” he explained.

For dessert he has two favourites: The Dark & Stormy Sorbet, and a refreshing Apple Sorbet with White Chocolate and Fennel Cream.

Mr Woods, who will be helping out as an intern with ‘Samuelsson at HP’ this summer, said many of the flavours from these dishes will be appreciated by Bermudians, seeing that they are a twist on meals they’re already used to.

Mr Norén told The Royal Gazette that he was excited to have people visit the restaurant and sample some of the delicious foods on offer.

“There are so many great restaurants in Bermuda,” he said. “I have been to many that offer great experiences so when people choose to come to this restaurant and spend their hard earned money and time, it’s humbling and extremely rewarding.

“That’s why I am looking forward to it and I think we are putting together a fun, delicious menu that I am excited to serve.”

He said he hopes people leave feeling that they’ve had a great experience, complete with great food, excellent service and stylish decor.

“We don’t want it to be about fine dining, we talk about fun dining where people can come in and get a break from normal life,” he said. “I really hope people have a great time and recommend it to all of their friends.”

‘Samuelsson at HP’ is open until August 3. For more information or to make reservation call 295-3000. Reservations are recommended.