Quickie Stockholm Restaurant Thoughts
Apr 1st, 2011, 02:20 PM
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Quickie Stockholm Restaurant Thoughts
Just back from a week in Stockholm.
We were lucky to have dinner several nights with friends locally, but did also eat at the following for dinner:
Fem Sma Hus (Five Small Houses)
in Gamla Stan
Fantastic!
Our visit began with a warm welcome at the door -- no reservations, no problem (of course it was March!). We were led downstairs via a circular staircase amid stone walls and archways to a wonderful series of "cellar" rooms lit by candlelight. All other diners in our room were Swedes (a good sign!). Our waiter was exceedingly friendly and polite, and good natured when I asked to take a picture of my meal(!) I had the carpaccio of elk for 1st course, followed by reindeer tenderloin for main dish. Excellent! My mother had a salad to start with fresh, fresh veggies. Very good. Followed by cod well prepared and seasoned. Nothing but good things to say about this place -- great ambiance, great service, great food! Would return!
Bakfikan
in back of Opera House
Very cool little spot. Center "island" with seating at a common counter and additional (but few) tables around edges of the small room. No reservations taken. Again, such friendly and welcoming service. Open kitchen. Cozy, colorful wall tiles. Most patrons were headed to opera, or coming from work in suits. Again, no English heard here except for ours! Good wine list. I had octopus appetizer and my mother had warm chevre w/baby greens and toast (YUM!) while we both chose the white fish entree "special" w/roasted new potatoes. Simple, yet delicious! Friendly crowd, easy to find, would definitely return!
Grand Hotel - Veranda for Smorgasbord
One decision I regret...
It's not that the food was bad (it wasn't), or the ambiance was horrible (it wasn't great, but not horrible -- a bit sterile, and with so much construction, the view of the water was littered w/barricades, etc) but I just should have known better. I felt like we HAD to have a smorgasbord. And we could have skipped it. VERY PRICEY. Selections were fine -- many seafood appetizers that were tasty and fresh, main dishes were Swedish meatballs, lamb, white fish, veal, all just fine, and dessert relatively basic compared w/an American brunch in a city hotel. Nothing was "bad", it just wasn't worth it. Would have been better to try another restaurant versus this experience. Entire restaurant was full of Swedes celebrating special occasions (b-day, anniversary), so it's a popular spot. I would feel better if it had been less expensive, I guess.
Just thought I'd share these few thoughts. Trip report to follow -- I always seem to comment on the FOOD first!
We were lucky to have dinner several nights with friends locally, but did also eat at the following for dinner:
Fem Sma Hus (Five Small Houses)
in Gamla Stan
Fantastic!
Our visit began with a warm welcome at the door -- no reservations, no problem (of course it was March!). We were led downstairs via a circular staircase amid stone walls and archways to a wonderful series of "cellar" rooms lit by candlelight. All other diners in our room were Swedes (a good sign!). Our waiter was exceedingly friendly and polite, and good natured when I asked to take a picture of my meal(!) I had the carpaccio of elk for 1st course, followed by reindeer tenderloin for main dish. Excellent! My mother had a salad to start with fresh, fresh veggies. Very good. Followed by cod well prepared and seasoned. Nothing but good things to say about this place -- great ambiance, great service, great food! Would return!
Bakfikan
in back of Opera House
Very cool little spot. Center "island" with seating at a common counter and additional (but few) tables around edges of the small room. No reservations taken. Again, such friendly and welcoming service. Open kitchen. Cozy, colorful wall tiles. Most patrons were headed to opera, or coming from work in suits. Again, no English heard here except for ours! Good wine list. I had octopus appetizer and my mother had warm chevre w/baby greens and toast (YUM!) while we both chose the white fish entree "special" w/roasted new potatoes. Simple, yet delicious! Friendly crowd, easy to find, would definitely return!
Grand Hotel - Veranda for Smorgasbord
One decision I regret...
It's not that the food was bad (it wasn't), or the ambiance was horrible (it wasn't great, but not horrible -- a bit sterile, and with so much construction, the view of the water was littered w/barricades, etc) but I just should have known better. I felt like we HAD to have a smorgasbord. And we could have skipped it. VERY PRICEY. Selections were fine -- many seafood appetizers that were tasty and fresh, main dishes were Swedish meatballs, lamb, white fish, veal, all just fine, and dessert relatively basic compared w/an American brunch in a city hotel. Nothing was "bad", it just wasn't worth it. Would have been better to try another restaurant versus this experience. Entire restaurant was full of Swedes celebrating special occasions (b-day, anniversary), so it's a popular spot. I would feel better if it had been less expensive, I guess.
Just thought I'd share these few thoughts. Trip report to follow -- I always seem to comment on the FOOD first!
Apr 1st, 2011, 03:07 PM
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thanks for these ideas - we are heading there in mid-April, so I'm in the midst of last minute travel planning/crashing.
We are staying in Gamla Stan, so loved to hear that you enjoyed walking in the evening.
can't wait for the trip report!
We are staying in Gamla Stan, so loved to hear that you enjoyed walking in the evening.
can't wait for the trip report!
Apr 2nd, 2011, 06:45 AM
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50HS:
Lunchtime suggestion in Gamla Stan...we went back twice...on the main pedestrian street in GS...<b>Sally's</b>...they offer Sally's Tower (no relation), a mound of shrimp, avocado and greens...or a bowl of succulent mussels. Another good bet for lunch is on a side street in the vicinity, mostly outdoor seating, <b>Gasgand 4</b>...for a wide variety of beautifully displayed foods, we enjoyed the food hall..<b>Sala</b> on Nybrogatan (not GS, but a nice neighborhood. Enjoy.
stu
Lunchtime suggestion in Gamla Stan...we went back twice...on the main pedestrian street in GS...<b>Sally's</b>...they offer Sally's Tower (no relation), a mound of shrimp, avocado and greens...or a bowl of succulent mussels. Another good bet for lunch is on a side street in the vicinity, mostly outdoor seating, <b>Gasgand 4</b>...for a wide variety of beautifully displayed foods, we enjoyed the food hall..<b>Sala</b> on Nybrogatan (not GS, but a nice neighborhood. Enjoy.
stu
Apr 2nd, 2011, 07:31 AM
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SURFMOM: above suggestions are for you...yeah, I now, 50HS has already gone and returned. Remember, prices can be exceptionally high-end in Stockholm. Fortunately, the above are about as close as you can get to stateside restaurant tariffs. Have you already booked lodgings?
stu
stu
Apr 2nd, 2011, 07:59 AM
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stu, thanks for those -- I've copied them into my "stockholm" document that I take with me!
I have booked lodgings - we are staying in an apartment in Gamla Stan. With 3 kids, we like to stay in apartments for the space. We usually eat dinner in and lunches out, well, actually, we feed the kids in, and then I try to go and get real people food for us!
Will restaurants looked at me cross-eyed if I order food 'to go'? I know some restaurants in Paris thought it was strange that I wanted to do it, but when I explained, they were able to accommodate me.
So... anywhere that is walking distance on Gamla Stan is great!
I have booked lodgings - we are staying in an apartment in Gamla Stan. With 3 kids, we like to stay in apartments for the space. We usually eat dinner in and lunches out, well, actually, we feed the kids in, and then I try to go and get real people food for us!
Will restaurants looked at me cross-eyed if I order food 'to go'? I know some restaurants in Paris thought it was strange that I wanted to do it, but when I explained, they were able to accommodate me.
So... anywhere that is walking distance on Gamla Stan is great!
Apr 2nd, 2011, 11:26 AM
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Stu
Agree w/Sally's suggestion! I have a few great pics of their spot from the plaza at sunset, too, with lanterns outside.
Have fun, SurfMom!
We walked GS every night and never felt "unsafe".
If you are interested in this type of thing, check out the many GS church's concert schedules. We hit a great piano/organ/trombone concert @ the King's church (right next to palace) that was candlelit and awesome (and free!)!
5OHS
Agree w/Sally's suggestion! I have a few great pics of their spot from the plaza at sunset, too, with lanterns outside.
Have fun, SurfMom!
We walked GS every night and never felt "unsafe".
If you are interested in this type of thing, check out the many GS church's concert schedules. We hit a great piano/organ/trombone concert @ the King's church (right next to palace) that was candlelit and awesome (and free!)!
5OHS
