Norway Information
Joined: 21 Oct 2006
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Home Country: norway
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 Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:36 am Post subject: FOOD & DINING IN NORWAY |
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FOOD & DINING IN NORWAY
Meals & Dining Customs
Most working Norwegians seldom eat lunch, grabbing a quick open-face sandwich, or smørbrød, at their offices. But in major towns and cities, lunch is generally served from 1 to 3pm. The middag, the main meal of the day, is generally eaten between 4:30 and 6pm. Many restaurants serve this popular middag from 1 to 8pm. In late-closing restaurants, it's possible to dine much later, until around midnight in Oslo. Long after middag time a Norwegian family will have aftens, a smørbrød supper that will see them through the night.
The Cuisine
The chief criticism leveled against Norwegian cooking is that it's too bland. The food is always abundant (the Norwegians are known for their second helpings), substantial, and well prepared -- but no threat to the French for a Cordon Bleu prize. Today, instead of their own cuisine, Norwegians often turn to the Continent or even Asia to satisfy their taste buds. Foreign restaurants, especially in such cities as Oslo and Bergen, are all the rage.
Norwegians are proud -- and rightly so -- of many of their tempting specialties, ranging from boiled cod (considered a delicacy) to reindeer steak smothered in brown gravy and accompanied by tart little lingonberries, which resemble wild cranberries.
Norway relies on fish, both freshwater and saltwater, for much of its food supply. Prepared in countless ways, fish is usually well cooked -- and always fresh, a good bet indeed. Try, in particular, the aforementioned boiled cod; it's always -- emphasis on always -- served with boiled potatoes.
In early summer, kokt laks (boiled salmon) is a highly rated delicacy. Kreps (crayfish) is another big production as it is in Finland, and ørret (mountain trout), preferably broiled and served with fresh lemon, is a guaranteed treat. A recommendation for top-notch fare: fiske-gratin (fish soufflé), delicately seasoned.
Norwegians love their fatty smoked eel (roket al), although many foreigners have a tendency to whip by this one on the smorgasbord table. The national appetizer is brine-cured herring with raw onions.
You may want to try reindeer steak or faar-i-kaal, the national dish, a heavily peppered cabbage-and-mutton stew served with boiled potatoes. A fisher's or a farmer's favourite is lapskus (hash, to us), prepared with whatever's left over in the kitchen. The North American palate seems to take kindly to kjøttkaker, the Norwegian hamburger -- often pork patties -- served with sautéed onions, brown gravy, and boiled potatoes.
The boiled potato is ubiquitous. Incidentally, the Norwegian prefers it without butter -- just a bit of parsley. Nowadays fresh vegetables and crisp salads are a regular feature of the Norwegian diet as well.
Rumgraut is a sour-cream porridge covered with melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. If they're in season, try the good-tasting, amber-colored muiter (cloudberries). An additional treat, well made in Norway, is a pancake accompanied by lingonberries.
Frokost (breakfast) is often a whopping koldtbord, the famous cold board, consisting of herring and goat's milk cheese, and such fare as salmon and soft-boiled eggs, plus wienerbrød (Danish pastry). At this time, most visitors encounter the ever-popular flatbrød, paper-thin crisp rye bread. Many visitors may not want to spend the extra kroner for this big spread, but those going on glacier expeditions need this early-morning fortification.
Incidentally, smörgåsbord and smørbrød are very popular in Norway, although they seem to be served here without the elaborate ritual typical of Denmark and Sweden. Customarily, smorgasbord in Norway is only a prelude to the main meal.
Drinks
Norway has strict laws regarding the sale of alcohol. Beer and wine may be served in hotels and restaurants 7 days a week, but hard liquor can be sold only between 3 and 11:45pm -- and never on Sunday. Visitors can buy the precious stuff from the Vinmonopolet, the state liquor-and-wine monopoly . The restriction on hard liquor may be a bonus for budgeters, since Norwegian prices are sky-high, in line with all the Scandinavian countries.
Warning: Unless visitors ask for a favourite brand of gin or scotch, they may be served a sour-tasting Norwegian home brew.
The Norwegians, like the Danes, are essentially beer drinkers. Pils, a light lager, is fairly low in alcohol content, but the lagerøl is so low in alcoholic content (less than 2.5%) that it's a substitute for water only. The stronger Norwegian beer is called Export, and is available at higher prices. Two other types of beer are Brigg and Zero.
The other national drink is akevitt (sometimes written as aquavit or schnapps). Who would ever think that potatoes and caraway seeds could knock a person under the table? It's that potent, although it's misnamed the "water of life." Norwegians gulp down beer as a chaser. Aquavit (try Linie Akevitt) is sloshed around in oak vats all the way to Australia and back -- for added flavour.
The stores of Vinmonopolet, the monopoly that sells wines and spirits, are open Monday through Wednesday from 10am to 5pm, on Thursday from 9am to 6pm, and on Friday from 9am to 5pm. The Vinmonopolet is closed on Saturday in all towns except Kirkenes, Bodø, Ålesund, Trondheim, Haugesund, and Arendal. Alcoholic beverages are not sold to anyone under 20 years of age.
INTERESTING PLACES TO DINE (OSLO)
Annen Etage
Located in the Continental Hotel, this Michelin-starred restaurant is something of an Oslo institution. Offering what it describes as an ‘international menu inspired by French cuisine’, it is located centrally close to the National Theater. It has capacity for 90, and there is also a bar attached that is popular with theater-goers.
Stortingsgata 24-26
Tel: 22 82 40 70.
Website: www.hotel-continental.no
Bagatelle
Probably Norway’s best-known restaurant, Bagatelle boasts two Michelin stars – and its prices reflect this. French style is very much the order of the day here. The menu contains a broad selection of set meals and à la carte dishes, and a choice of more than 400 wines is available. The interior is decorated with works by well-known artists.
Bygdøy Allé 3
Tel: 22 12 14 40.
Website: www.bagatelle.no
Spisestedet Feinschmecker
Also honoured with a Michelin star, Feinschmecker opened in 1990 and rapidly gained a top reputation. It is located in the Frogner district to the east of the city centre. In addition to its à la carte menu, it offers a fixed priced daily five-course meal. And extensive wine list, and a daily vegetarian alternative, are available.
Balchens Gate 5
Tel: 22 12 93 80.
Website: www.feinschmecker.no
Lofoten Fish Restaurant
This is a 400-seat seafood outlet situated on the quayside at Aker Brygge. In summer, a large open-air dining area is available. This restaurant specializes in seasonal local delicacies – such as cod served with liver and roe in winter, and a wide range of shellfish and crustaceans during the summer months. Set menus are offered in addition to the à la carte menu.
Stranden 75
Tel: 22 83 08 08.
Website: www.lofotenfiskerestaurant.com
The Mandarin
Located in the Majorstuen business district to the north of the Royal Palace, the Mandarin offers food based primarily on the Cantonese style, with a good range of familiar dishes. Informal atmosphere, but perfect for a business lunch or dinner.
Sørkedalsveien 5
Tel: 22 60 20 00.
Website: www.restaurantmandarin.no
Restaurant D/S Louise
Again on the quayside, the D/S Louise offers a varied menu and an extensive wine list. Open air seating is available in summer to make use of its pleasant quayside location on Aker Brygge. There are 350 seats in the restaurant, plus 90 more in the bar area, with space for 200 more outside.
Stranden 3
Tel: 22 83 00 60.
Website: www.dslouise.no
Christian Kvart
Featuring a Creole-style cuisine, Christian Kvart is an informal venue combining a bar and restaurant with music and stand-up comedy. Named for a 17th century Danish king, the restaurant is decorated in a baroque style. There is an open air dining area available during the summer months. Located between the cathedral and the royal palace.
Rosenkrantz’ Gate 7
Tel: 22 41 11 10.
Website: www.christian-kvart.com
Mona Lisa
Described as an ‘adult’ venue, Mona Lisa offers live music and a nightclub as well as its restaurants, not to mention belly dancers. The menu contains a selection of items in Norwegian, French and Italian styles. A fixed price three-course menu changes daily. Centrally located close to the cathedral.
Grensen 10
Tel: 22 42 89 14.
Website: www.monalisa.as
Pasta Basta
Pasta Basta restaurants are bright, breezy and with a fairly simple menu based on pizza and pasta main dishes, with a limited selection of starters and desserts. There are two outlets in Oslo, one at Aker Brygge and the other in Bogstadveien near Majorstua to the north of the Royal Palace.
Stranden 3
Tel: 22 01 48 50.
Website: www.pastabasta.no
Oslo Spiseforretning
Located by the Middelalderpark (Medieval Park) in the Gamle Byen area immediately south east of the central station, this is an unusual venue offering traditional Norwegian fare such as reindeer and various seasonal fish. The décor is in 1920s Norwegian style.
Oslogate 15
Tel: 22 62 62 10.
Website: www.oslo-spiseforretning.no
INTERESTING PLACES TO DINE (BERGEN)
Lucullus
Award winning Lucullus is a gourmet restaurant hailed as one of the best in western Norway, serving classic dishes executed to perfection. Extensive wine list.
Neptun Hotel, Valkendorfsgaten 8
Tel: 55 30 68 00.
Website: www.rica.no
Bellevue
Located in a quiet and idyllic residential area, only 10 minutes drive from the city center of Bergen, the Bellevue, as its name indicates, has beautiful views overlooking Bergen! Established in 1899, the restaurant has a reputation for gastronomic excellence.
Bellevuebakken 9
Tel: 55 33 69 99.
Website: www.bellevue.no
Finnegaarden
One of Bergen’s best, and oldest restaurants (it is almost 300 years old), the charming Finnegaarden is one of the country's best preserved ‘quay buildings’. Enjoy some fantastic food in the beautiful wooden rooms. Degustation menus available.
Rosenkrantzgaten 6
Tel: 55 55 03 00.
Website: www.finnegaarden.no
Wesselstuen
Restaurant and bar on Ole Bullsplass, in 18th-century wine cellar, known for its friendly, cheerful atmosphere, serving a variety of traditional Norwegian courses, as well as more international cuisine. Light meals available too.
Ole Bulls pl 6
Tel: 55 55 49 49.
Website: www.wesselstuen.no
Dolly Dimple’s
This chain, many locals swear, serves the best pizza in Bergen. Also serves pasta and salads, and delicious yummy desserts. Take away available.
Branches:
Kleppestø Senter
Tel: 56 14 89 00.
Kokstadveien 9
Tel: 04440.
Krohnåsveien 12
Tel: 55 13 46 61. |
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