Hidden Folk pop up at Fika

For a night out with a distinctly magical difference this summer, Fika, the uniquely authentic Swedish Bar & Kitchen in London's Brick Lane, will be celebrating the darkly seductive Huldufolk or Hidden Folk – the fabled forest creatures of Scandinavian folklore. From midsummer for three months, the intimate dining space and romantic roof terrace bar will be totally transformed, while the menu, which specialises in delicious contemporary and traditional Swedish cuisine, is being given a deliciously surprising twist too.

Fika fans will be familiar with the constantly evolving venue's penchant for ambitious creative projects – last summer the entire space had a fabulously off-beat makeover in tribute to the iconic indie director Wes Anderson. With a similarly authentic commitment to detail, this latest mystical metamorphosis will be a folkloric feast for the eyes and senses, with the restaurant transformed into a fantastical Scandinavian-style forest, complete with a trolls' “grotto” and real foliage. One of the stars of the show will be intricate artwork inspired by traditional Scandinavian folklore, created by the mega-talented illustrator and designer Emma Farrarons, who grew up in Paris but has an affinity with all things Scandinavian, partly due to the fact she’s married to a Dane!

As for the food, the menu has been given a “Blumenthalesque” twist designed to trick and tease. In this topsy-turvy world, nothing is quite what it seems – carrots could be purple, potatoes of the black truffle variety. Expect the unusual likes of ox cheek, elk burgers and elderflower pickled herring. Fika will also serving some ingenious daily specials created from a forager’s bounty. Meanwhile, beware of magical cocktails full of forest flavours including dill, birch and wood-smoke which will also be casting a spell or two (particularly for those who sample several!)

So, from the 26th June, the adventurous are invited to enter (if they dare) a darkly delightful world populated by edgy elves and fiercely flamboyant fairies – and of course the fabulous food and warm Fika welcome, London’s foodies have come to expect from what’s fast becoming a Brick Lane institution.

This article is connected to Fika Swedish Bar & Grille
Published Jun 13, 2014