Talk about ocean views…
Soon, you could be enjoying fish with your dinner, and we don’t mean on your plate. Under, Europe’s first underwater restaurant will open in autumn next year in what is a massive architectural feat. Semi-submerged beneath the icy waters of the North Atlantic in Lindesnes, guests of the restaurant will be invited to dine five and a half meters below the surface of the ocean, with the panoramic backdrop of the ocean floor providing one of the most unique and memorable dinner-with-a-view situations you’re ever likely to have.
With the genius of architectural and design company Snøhetta behind the restaurant’s construction, the impressiveness of under merely begins with its design. The menu will be equally impressive, highlighting the bounties of the local environment, with an emphasis on – you guessed it – seafood, and the dining experience beginning the moment guests arrive.
In the mezzanine they will be served a sampling appetiser of what’s to come in the restaurant below, complemented by a refreshing beverage. After a short descent via a wooden staircase, the guests will continue their experiential culinary journey in the one-of-a-kind, underwater dining room. A large, panoramic window will provide an exclusive view into marine life, as guests dig into innovative seasonal dishes that capture the essence of the pristine Norwegian coastline on the southern tip of Norway.
Under will offer a lengthy 15-18 course set menu that changes with the seasons and the local ingredients that are available, from small flavour-bomb mouthfuls to larger, more filling courses. In addition to seafood, courses will include various seabirds and other meat including locally raised, wild sheep. And as per Chef Nicolai Ellitsgaard’s request, each dish will be paired with a matching wine or non-alcoholic drink to create the perfect balance of flavours.
With a six-month waiting list expected for this quirky and unforgettable dining experience, you’ll be booking a table without knowing what’s on the menu, and this just adds to the suspense…
Under will open in the Northern Hemisphere spring of 2019.