The Georgian’s new evening menu will ‘celebrate British ingredients and classic cooking’, with an emphasis on Franklin’s signature pies.
It marks Franklin’s first major project in London since he left Holborn Dining Room in the summer of 2022.
In the intervening years the chef has cast his net further afield, relocating to France and launching British brassiere Public House in Paris’ opera district earlier this year.
However, he told Restaurant back in May that he was planning further ventures in London.
“The gap between London and Paris isn’t that big,” he said at the time.
“I have long term goals for London, and there are things I’m working on there.”
Franklin will only oversee the evening offering at The Georgian, with the historical restaurant continuing to serve an afternoon tea menu by day that will be led by executive pastry chef Markus Bohr and Harrods in-house pâtisserie team.
As well as pies, the wider evening menu will celebrate the 120 years of history and heritage of the restaurant, with recipes inspired from the Harrods archive that have been updated with a ‘contemporary focus’.
Classic snacks such as British oysters and caviar will be followed by starters including the ‘1909 - Harrods Diamond Jubilee’ consommé; pâté en croûte 1960 with Cumberland sauce; and Cornish crab tart.
The extensive pie selection will include ‘The Georgian Pie Experience’ to share, as well as classics such as beef and shin; chicken penny; and beef wellington.
Spanning 10,333sq ft on the fourth floor of Harrods, the redevelopment of The Georgian has been led by David Collins Studio and the Harrods in-house development team.
The design of the 164-cover dining room will honour the heritage of the Knightsbridge building, preserving much of the Art Deco architectural detail of the room.
An entertainment programme will play throughout the day with a central piano featuring through the tea service. The evening music will be inspired by the history of the room and include nods to the Jazz Age of the 1920s.
“Our ambition for all Harrods restaurants is to evoke the finest elements of the Harrods brand — the atmosphere, the service, and the quality — while ensuring each space reflects its unique identity and proposition,” says Ashley Saxton, director of restaurants and kitchens at Harrods.
“While every dining space within Harrods has a rich history, few embody this more than The Georgian, which has been at the heart of high society dining since the Edwardian era.
“Our challenge and opportunity as the custodians of this historic restaurant are to restore its vibrancy and secure its future for the next century.
“By providing a world-class proposition through partners like Calum Franklin, we aim to blend The Georgian's iconic charm with modern excellence and reaffirm its place as one of London’s most important dining destinations.”