Swedish Crayfish season kicks off at Fifth Floor Café

The official Swedish crayfish season kicks off every year in the second week of August and runs to the end of the month. The Fifth Floor Restaurant and Café’s Swedish Executive Chef Jonas Karlsson, like most of his countrymen, is a lover of this native treat and pays homage to his heritage by introducing a brand new sharing dish to the menu at The Fifth Floor Café during this short but very sweet season.

Customers can enjoy 12 boiled crayfish to share with dill mayonnaise and toasted rye bread from Wednesday 13 August through to the Sunday 31 August (inclusive). The Fifth Floor crayfish platter is priced at £15.95 for two people sharing, or £19.95 with the addition of two shots of Schnapps. There is also a selection of chilled champagne and rosé wines that all go perfectly matched with the delectable seasonal treat.

The Swedish traditionally celebrate on the eve of this hugely anticipated season with great gusto and organise large outdoor feasts of simply boiled crayfish in dill infused water and served traditionally with dill mayonnaise, toasted rye bread and lashings of schnapps, dry white wine and festive cold beers.

Many of the population dress up in strange hats and bibs to tuck into the huge iced platters of this sweet, succulent seafood, which resembles a small thick lobster, the size of a large king prawn. The usual good manners of the nation are forgotten briefly as every claw, knuckle, nook and cranny of this best loved crustacean are stripped of their heavenly flesh.

Relax in the mid summer sunshine with a table out on the stunning Fifth Floor Terrace and indulge in a handful of these succulent delicacies washed down with a glass of something cold and delicious.

Reservations can be made for dinner online at Harveynichols.com.

The Fifth Floor Café is located within Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ.