Moving to Norway Forums

Canned Tuna Fish in Sunflower Oil?

CedricBod — Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:07 pm

Author: CedricBod

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:07 pm

Hi Everyone

Ive just moved to Stavanger, and I already missing my home comforts

Can any please advise where I can buy canned tuna fish in sunflower oil in Stavanger, Ive tried the main shops but all i seem to find is Tuna in Brine, which tastes nastyt!! (

It was my staple diet in the UK and I cant seem to find any here in Stavanger, any one advise

Also, Ive tied to get olives in tobasco as sold in sainsburys again no luck...

Cheers in adavnce for any direction...

Cedric

SHOPPING IN NORWAY (OSLO & BERGEN)

Norway Information — Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:14 am

Author: Norway Information

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:14 am

SHOPPING IN NORWAY (OSLO & BERGEN)

GENERAL

Most towns and resorts have a shop where typical Norwegian handicrafts are on sale. Silversmiths and potteries are numerous and worth visiting. Traditional items include furs, printed textiles, woven articles, knitwear, woodcarving, silver, enamel, pewter, glass and porcelain. Tax-free cheques can be obtained from any of the 3000 shops carrying the sticker ‘Tax free for tourists’. These shops save visitors 11 to 18 per cent of the price paid by residents. VAT refunds are paid in cash at airports, ferries, cruise ships and border crossings.

Currency Information:

Currency
Norwegian Krone (NOK) = 100 øre. Notes are in denominations of NOK1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of NOK20, 10, 5 and 1, and 50 øre.

Currency exchange
Eurocheque cards allow encashment of personal cheques. ATMs are widely available.

Credit & debit cards
All major credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

SHOPPING IN OSLO

Some bargains can be found in the less specialized shops, particularly for general goods such as clothing. Star buys include knitted knitwear, pewter, ceramics and glassware, traditional knitwear and handmade reindeer skin boots.

The main shopping districts are in Frogner, which is the place for antiques, art galleries and food shops. Bogstadveien (website: www.bogstadveien.no) which runs between the Royal Palace and Karl Johans gate in the center, boasts shops, market stalls and department stores of every conceivable description.

Aker Brygge, across the water from the Tourist Office at Vestbanen, is Olso’s first big shopping centre (website: www.akerbrygge.no). The biggest shopping mall is Oslo City (website: www.oslocity.no), on Stenersgata, near Oslo S station, while Paleet, Karl Johans gate 39-41, with its marble-lined atrium, is the most ostentatious. Good shops for crafts are Husfliden, Lille Grensen 7 (website: www.husfliden.no/oslo), with its huge selection of handmade goods, including knitwear, pewter, ceramics and national costume, or Norway Designs, Stortingsgate 28 (website: www.norwaydesigns.no), which has the largest selection of work from Norwegian folk artists. The Oslo Sweater Shop, SAS Hotel at Tullins gate 5, has one of the best selections of sweaters in the city, while William Schmidt, Karl Johans Gate 41, has been specializing in sweaters and souvenirs since 1853.

There is an open-air market, Stortorvet, in the square of the same name, every day between 1000-1600, selling general goods, such as clothing, souvenirs and flowers, and an indoor market offering antiques, handcrafts, jewelry and the like in Basarhallene, close to the cathedral.

Most shops are open 0900-1700, Monday-Wednesday and Friday. Thursday is late opening, until 1900, while early closing is generally at 1500 on Saturday. Shopping centers are open until 2000 on weekdays and 1800 on Saturday. Tax-free shopping is available at some 3,000 shops, although a minimum purchase of NOK310 is necessary to qualify. Partial VAT refunds can be claimed at the airport on departure. In Norway, the VAT (locally known as MVA) stands at 24%. Further information can be obtained at the Global Refund website (www.globalrefund.no).

SHOPPING IN BERGEN

Bergen has long been a trading town and its shops range from the small and specialized to large department stores. Visitors should not expect too many bargains, however, and many locals regularly travel by ferry to shop in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, because it is cheaper.

The pedestrianized streets of Gamle Strandgaten, Marken and Torgalmenningen have shops selling everything from trolls to antiques, handicrafts to Norwegian sweaters and ceramics to silver jewelry. Husfliden, in Vågsallmenningen, is one of the leading gift shops.

Normal shopping hours are weekdays 0900-1630 and Saturdays 0900-1500, although some shops stay open later (until around 1900) on Thursdays. During December, many shops also open on Sundays. Late-opening shopping centres include Bergen Storsenter, Kløverhuset and Galleriet, which are open weekdays until 2000 and Saturdays until 1800. At Galleriet, 70 shops and restaurants offer a wide choice of goods and menus at all price levels, while live music, entertainment and exhibitions are staged on the fifth floor.

Torget, where fish, fruit, vegetables, flowers, handicrafts and souvenirs are sold, is open Monday to Friday 0700-1600 and Saturday 0700-1500 (Thursday until 1900 in the summer). Kjøttbasaren, Bergen’s restored meat market, dating back to 1887, is the city’s epicurean centre, with various places to eat and nine delicatessens.

There is also a shopping complex at Vestkanten, next to the Vannkanten leisure centre, about 20 minutes by bus 9 or 10 to the west of Bergen city centre.

VAT, known as Merverdiavgift (MVA) in Norway, is currently charged at 24% and is included in all retail prices (a reduced rate applies to food items). Many shops in Bergen offer VAT refunds for overseas visitors, of up to 50%. To claim a refund, visitors need to collect a form from the shop at the time of purchase then submit this either at the tax refund office in the airport or at the bureau de change on the ferry.

NIGHTLIFE IN NORWAY (OSLO & BERGEN)

Norway Information — Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:42 am

Author: Norway Information

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:42 am

NIGHTLIFE IN NORWAY (OSLO & BERGEN)

GENERAL

All Norwegian cities have bars and pubs that offer a full range of alcoholic beverages and most towns over a certain size have a pub. Most hotels have bars. You will find discos and nightclubs in most cities and in many towns, particularly in the weekends. In the cities the hotels offer restaurant service into the night, but nightclubs in the continental sense are not widespread in Norway. Many of the hotels at winter resort offer after-ski gatherings.

NIGHTLIFE IN OSLO

Nightlife, in the sense that most people understand, arrived comparatively late in Norway. For centuries, family life was the lynchpin of Norwegian society, and people tended to socialise at home. Draconian alcohol controls, including a form of prohibition in the early 20th century, did not encourage going out.

Since the late 1980s though, with relaxation of drinking laws, it became possible to drink until 0200. Many pubs and clubs opened to take advantage of the change in legislation.

A publication called What’s On in Oslo has the most comprehensive venue listings and is free from hotel foyers and tourist offices, but good first port of call is Rosenkrantz gate, a street teeming with bars, music pubs and other nightspots. Many nightclubs are located on and around Karl Johans gate. Oslo nightlife is generally relaxed, with neat smart-casual clothing good for everywhere but the most expensive restaurants.

Drinking alcohol in Norway is still, however, a prohibitively expensive business – a half-liter of beer will cost up to NOK60 and a 40ml shot of spirit even more. The minimum drinking age is 18 years for beer and wine and 20 years for spirits. Distilling spirits at home is illegal, although that doesn’t deter production of a form of moonshine called ‘hjemmebrent’, a lethal concoction of distilled sugar and yeast widely available on the black market. The national drink is Akevitt, a fiery spirit flavoured with herbs. Many Norwegians go out late on Fridays and Saturdays after a ‘vorspiel’ (pre-party) involving drinks at home, so the street atmosphere from 2200 on the weekends can be lively, to say the least.

Bars: The Dubliner, Rådhusgata 28, is a typical ‘Irish’ themed bar, as is the Kilkenny Inn, Øvre Slottsgate. Similarly, the Scotsman, Karl Johans gate, is popular with ex-pats and visitors and also offers the adjacent Angus Steakhouse. English is more often spoken than Norwegian at The Belfry, Lille Grensen 7. A recent arrival in town is an Australian theme pub, Down Under, in Fridtjof Nansens plass. In summer, there is a choice of open-air bar/restaurants along the quaysides of Aker Brygge, in front of Akershus Festning. But again these tend to stretch the traveller’s budget somewhat. Stravinsky, Rosenkrantzgate 17, is a swanky venue for those who don’t mind a bit of ‘clubbing’ thrown in – there is a disco night every Wednesday. The Kristiania Bar and Café, right by the central station in Jernbanetorget, is a cavernous and rather elegant venue that gets absolutely packed on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Casinos: There are no casinos in Oslo, as gambling is illegal in Norway, other than through the state-run lottery, football pools and horse-racing schemes, for which tickets can be purchased in the ubiquitous ‘kiosker’, small shops also selling newspapers, sweets, hot dogs and soft drinks.

Clubs: Skansen, Rådhusgate 25 (website: www.skansen.no), is known as a ‘real’ house venue, and although relatively small hosts international DJs on a regular basis. Sikamikanico, in Møllergate, offers a choice of house, techno and similar music genres. Gotham Nights, Bjerregaardsgate 68, offers something a little different than the usual techno/house combination, with regular live music for the ‘goth’ fraternity. Tiger Tiger, a relatively new venue at Torggata 5, which has become rapidly popular with the mainstream clubbing crowd.

Live Music: Stortorvets Gjæstgiveri, Grensen 1, is a lively traditional jazz joint featuring ragtime and New Orleans-style bands. Galleria, Kristian IV’s Gate 12, features a disco and a live jazz club, while Oslo Spektrum, Sonia Henies Plass 2 (website: www.oslospektrum.no), is where all the visiting international big names play. Skuret Kulturpub, Christian Krohgs gate 2 (website: www.skuret.no), offers a regular program of rock bands and music-related quiz nights.

NIGHTLIFE IN BERGEN

As Bergen is so small, there is no particular nightlife district – although the most popular areas include Bryggen and Ole Bulls plass. Bars tend to close at around 0200, while the nightclubs (which usually charge an entrance fee of about NOK50 or more), stay open until about 0300. It is not necessary to dress up for a night out on the town as locals tend to dress casually. Consumption of beer and wine is legal from 18 years but spirits may not be consumed by the under-20s. Prices are high in bars, clubs and restaurants – a night on the town is not a cheap option in Norway (a beer can cost NOK60 or more).

The best sources on the web for information on nightlife are both Norwegian-language sites (www.ba.no, then click on the ‘Puls’ link or www.bergenpuls.no). The Tourist Information Office can provide information in English and its website (www.visitbergen.com) is also of help, while the Bergen Guide website (www.bergen-guide.com) offers some information in English.

Bars: Among the dozens of city centre bars, there are three of the now ubiquitous ‘Irish’ pubs; Scruffy Murphy’s, on Torget, The Harp Irish Bar, Bryggen, and Finnegan’s, Veiten 3, while The Scotsman, Valkendorfsgate, offer yet another type of theming. Fotballpuben, Vestre Torggate, and Champions Sportsbar, Strandgaten 6, are the gathering places for those wishing to watch football on TV. Live music is offered at many of Bergen’s pubs and bars at weekends.

Casinos: There are no casinos, as gaming is illegal in Norway. The only gambling officially permitted is through the state-run Norsk Tipping service, which covers horseracing, the National Lottery and football (website: www.norsk-tipping.no). Slot machines can also be found in every shopping centre and snack bar.

Clubs and Live Music: Mood, Vågsallmenning 16, used to be a bank, but it is now a café by day and a trendy bar by night. There is live music and dancing on Friday and Saturday. Rick’s Café og Salonger, Veiten 3, is a bar, disco and live music venue rolled into one. Miles Ahead, Torggaten, and C49, Christian Michelsensgate, feature dance DJs. The Logen in Ole Bulls plass stages revues and cabaret throughout the year. Nightclub Det Akademiske Kvarter (Academic Quarter), Olav Kyrresgate 49-53, is popular with students and promotes pop and rock concerts. It also stages jazz and classical performances. Madam Felle, Bryggen, offers jazz, blues, roots and gospel. Trendy Metro, at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Ole Bulls plass offers nightly entertainments, as does Night Flight at the Bergen Airport Hotel (hotel guests only). And newcomerOle Bull Scene, Øvre Ole Bullsplass 3 (website: www.olebullscene.no), which opened in October 2005, has concerts and theatre on throughout the week. Rock fans can catch international acts at Hulen, Olaf Ryes Vei 48, on Fridays and Saturdays.

FOOD & DINING IN NORWAY

Norway Information — Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:36 am

Author: Norway Information

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:36 am

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.