In a 2015 article written for The Guardian, Helen Russell defines the Danish art of hygge as: “the absence of anything annoying or emotionally overwhelming; taking pleasure from the presence of gentle, soothing things”. Along with fika, another cherished Scandinavian tradition of coffee lingered over with friends (and often accompanied by gooey cinnamon buns or other sweet and decadent treats) this is one of the concepts embodied by The Harcourt, a Scandinavian restaurant opened this past April in London’s Marylebone.
The 1826 Georgian building (originally the Harcourt Arms, a traditional English pub) has been artistically refurbished and brought new life by designers Andrew Endean and Samantha Palmer. From unmistakably Nordic touches like the traditional wooden Dala horse statuette hanging over the door to the opulent ‘White Room’ with its lavish crushed velvet furnishings and ornate chandeliers, The Harcourt seamlessly melds old world elegance with inviting cozy touches.
The food menu, created by Danish chef Kimmo Makkonen, includes comforting signature dishes like Nordic reindeer with turnips, pearl barley and lingonberry jam and a dark chocolate mousse dessert with salted caramel as well as an assortment of lighter fare for nibbling around afternoon tea. Accompany your meal with a glass of wine or fabulous cocktail from Swedish mixologist Tess Pettersson and truly experience the best of hygge in London.
