All posts tagged: Food

Wizardry in the kitchen at Gastrologik

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The night was dark and frosty as we set out for our evening meal. A table had been booked and was waiting for us. Our hearts were beating a little fast as we were running late but also in anticipation of our meal. Not one of us had been there before. We had walked past many times, but the long white undulating and impersonal curtains stared back and revealed nothing. We arrive at the front door and peer through the window pane down the corridor. We glimpse some activity at the far end, dashes of white movement amongst glistening steel. A waiter comes to greet us at the entrance and accompanies us to our table. We make our way past the long wooden fronted workbench where chefs stand hunched over pots and saucepans.   We seat ourselves and as we are poured a thirst-quenching glass of the house champagne, 2007 vintage Deutz, we are quizzed as to whether we have dined here before. To the answer “no”, the waitress looks at us enigmatically and glides off to …

Scandinavian food on the cutting edge – Oaxen

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Last week, life could hardly have got any better: I dined out on consecutive nights in two of Stockholm’s top restaurants. Scandinavians certainly have more than one string to their bow. If they are the undisputed masters of design, they also excel in the art of cooking. The outcome as a diner is that you not only get to eat fantastic food but it is also beautifully presented and you enjoy it in a designer setting. Every item, from the cutlery to the wall panelling has been carefully selected. At present, nordic cuisine seems to be leading the world and has tapped into prevailing concerns and taste: Scandinavian chefs are working with seasonal and organic local produce, and are coming up with dishes of the utmost creativity and quality. Unexpected subtle flavours are combined, yet the final blend maintains a strong nordic identity. It is terroir at its best. On Thursday evening I made my way through the snow over to Djurgården, to the edge of the island opposite the shipyards of Beckholmen and entered into the …

Stockholm – Eriks Bakficka

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Trettondedag Jul (epiphany) was celebrated last Tuesday and the festive season is now officially over. Quite a few tired-looking Christmas trees are still on display, along with some advent lights, and this week-end many Trettondedag concerts have been taking place. However, as of now, it is in fact back to business. The good thing about this is that the restaurants that had been closed over the holidays are finally opening up again… Just behind Strandvägen, up from the water’s edge in the district of Östermalm, Eriks Bakficka has everything you would want your local restaurant to have. Not too big (it seats 90 guests in different dining areas), it is cosy and its atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. The service is topnotch and the food is homely with traditional Swedish dishes as well as modern cuisine. The à la carte menu changes every couple of months or so whilst classic Swedish dishes are a staple offering. There is also a plat du jour on week days and a weekly special. The wine list has a good selection of wine by the glass and …