The couple behind Northumberland's first Michelin-starred restaurant, chef Alex Nietosvuori and his wife Ally, have unveiled plans for their latest venture.
Inspired by a Victorian walled garden, the new gastronomic venture named Freyja, after the Norse goddess of love, fertility, and battle, the Scandi-designed restaurant will supply fresh, locally sourced produce.
Mr Nietosvuori plans to restore the walled garden of Close House, a Georgian mansion in the Tyne valley, to supply the new gastronomic venture.
Freyja will overlook the walled garden and offer a garden-to-fork experience.
The Swedish chef and his Northumberland-born wife secured their first Michelin star just 18 months after launching Hjem in the village of Wall near Hexham in 2019.
Mr Nietosvuori learned from Michelin-starred restaurants across Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Malmo.
Teaming up with business partner Charlie Watkins, the couple hopes to craft a seasonally driven, highly creative yet relaxed dining experience that reflects the unique Northumbrian countryside.
Accommodation is another feature of Freyja.
A discreetly located one-storey building below the eyeline of the restaurant, housing twelve bedrooms with a wildflower roof, will offer diners the option to extend their experience to an overnight stay, with a special breakfast served the following morning.
The walled garden, which is to be managed by the team at Hexham Organics, will produce fruits and vegetables for the restaurant.
The remaining produce, meat, game, fish, and dairy, will be primarily sourced within 30 miles of the restaurant.
Hexham-based Elliott Architects have designed the restaurant to invite the outdoors in and ensure harmony with its surroundings.
Low-level and low-key natural materials, including glass, copper, local sandstone and handmade brick, have been used for the restaurant.
Construction is expected to start in July 2024, with plans to officially launch in late 2025.
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