Today however is all about congratulating A&T and S&K (named in alphabetical order to show no favouritism) for being our first 'friend' visitors. We also have A&T and S&K to thank for being a selection criteria for our place here. When we were looking at places, we knew that 'the gang' had already booked their flights out, so consequently, we knew we had to try and find an suitable space which would not require sleeping bags on floors, or camping in gardens and other such indignities at everyone's advancing ages when everyone now expects levels of comfort approaching boutique hotel standards.
The activities of the week during the gang's stay focussed on avoiding the Golden Jubilee celebrations, taking in a bit of culture and doing a lot of gastro tourism.
The highlight of the week must of course be dinner at Noma, the recognised 'best restaurant in the world.' Getting there was in itself no small effort, as our excellent babysitter, having previously been booked well in advance and reminded several times, that if she wasn't able to do any other night of the week, 'Noma night' was the critical one. Unfortunately she got a better paid job. Fortunately, she had a friend who could step in at late notice, despite train cancellations to let us get to Noma just by the skin of our teeth for our reservation.
But the efforts were well worth it. The food was absolutely out of this world with ingredients, textures and flavours that were quite mind boggling and things that you or I would never have thought about putting together on a plate following some very intricate culinary stuff. Accompanied by the recommended flight of wines, it made for an amazingly indulgent evening.
Would I recommend going again, I hear you ask. Absolutely. What I loved about Noma was the informal nature of the place and the genuine enthusiasm from the international chefs who clearly took great pride in their cooking. There was no pretence and snootiness and in fact they assumed (in a nice way) you wouldn't know what had been put on the plate so it was all explained in a manner that really made you want to eat it.
So what did we eat - about 11 or 12 courses of food I think as the details started getting a bit hazy towards the end of the night. Some of the things that really stood out for me, although it was hard to pick favourites were; Pork rind with blackcurrant leather, pickled quails egg on smoking hay (see picture below), raw razor clam with mussel nice and frozen horse radish, beef tartar with wood sorrel and dried juniper with a final dish of caramelised pear and pine parfait. The wines were a tour around some of the more unusual regions and specialities. All together a fine meal and a fantastic experience of 2 starred Michelin dining...hopefully the first of more.
If I had to try and be critical of the restaurant, the pace of the food being presented was sometimes a little relentless. But, it all worked and we all had a wonderful time. I am sure we will return. Although my recommendation is that it is a great place for social dining with friends and less for a romantic meal a deux.
The rest of the week was taken up sampling things at the other end of the scale and everything in between. On a trip to Helsingør to visit Hamlet's castle, we ended up in a real local's place - the Borgerkroen at Strandgade 75, where all that was on the menu was smorrebrød, which is jolly tasty and deceptively filling. Not to mention of course the local pils.
At the middle of the scale, we managed to convene a session of the 'Friday Night Curry Club' although this time on a Monday night. We tried out the Bindia Indian restaurant on the Trianglen. Definitely not a flocked wall paper and chicken tikka massala joint this one. Much more contemporary in look and feel - and to be honest something that instantly sets my alarm bells ringing. However, on this occasion my fears were unwarranted as we were treated to an excellent selection of modern Indian cooking which left the taste buds tingling not to mention being grateful for the walk home to ease the digestion after the extremely generous portions. The other middle of the scale visit was to Scarpetta in Nørrebro where Italian food is served in starter size portions, which after 7 courses of the taster menu was plenty. For a Copenhagen restaurant, the prices for food and wine are very reasonable, coupled with very informal service and of course excellent food. Actually trying to think if we've had a bad meal out here yet.
We also took the opportunity to do some non food related things as well (we really did!) and actually get out and about to see some of the sights and sounds of Zeeland. Helsingør castle was excellent and well worth a visit, Grandad T would have loved the maritime museum display. Fredricksborg castle was grander still although the planned picnic in the picturesque grounds was prevented by torrential rain. Which continues to be a theme here in Copenhagen.
For the kids (and the children), the highlight was a trip to Bakken which is about an old fashioned a fairground you can go to complete with creaky roller coaster rides, dodge 'ems and a log flume from which there is no chance of emerging with any piece of clothing dry. Something which I discovered after darling daughter R persuaded me to her on it....I don't know where she gets her charm and persuasive powers from....
Till next time, which will be quicker than this one...
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