150 replies to this topic

[troidz]

Well, you definitely made a good choice with Noma.

About 1.th and Madeleines (the food theatre)... If you want and all night experience you should go to either of the places. At 1-th the food is very tasty and the environment is so cozy and comfy. At the theatre it's well it's like going to the theatre! Everything is in a timeframe and there's a "manuscript". Both places have just gotten SERIOUSLY GREAT reviews in two top newspapers in Denmark.

Edited by troidz, 16 August 2006 - 01:21 AM.

[YKL]

Well, you definitely made a good choice with Noma.

About 1.th and Madeleines (the food theatre)... If you want and all night experience you should go to either of the places. At 1-th the food is very tasty and the environment is so cozy and comfy. At the theatre it's well it's like going to the theatre! Everything is in a timeframe and there's a "manuscript". Both places have just gotten SERIOUSLY GREAT reviews in two top newspapers in Denmark.

thanks Troidz. do you have any information (e.g. website) for Madeleines?

[Mette]

thanks Troidz.  do you have any information (e.g. website) for Madeleines?

Maybe too late but here it is: Madeleines madteater. Has been getting rave reviews. Giving away an evening there as a wedding present this weekend.

Edited by Mette, 05 September 2006 - 08:23 AM.

[YKL]

Thank you Mette. Someone else provided me details so I was able to ring up for information, (not able to read the Danish website I'm afraid!) and the helpful gentlemen explained that there were a number of performances a day, and tickets had to purchased in advance.

It did sound very interesting, but we decided in the end that perhaps it wasn't what we wanted for this trip ... but we have some great meals planned so am sure we will have a wonderful time.

Would be very interested to hear your thoughts on the theatre though ..

[Poots]

Here's a little press release about Madeleines in english. http://www.visitcope...posite-2475.htm

[BenjaminTheBartender]

How much are you looking to spend?

[BenjaminTheBartender]

Other than what's already mentioned I'd recommend:

Expensive:
The Dining room on the 25th floor of Radisson Hotel, just ask for Casino Copenhagen and take the elevator up up up up Honestly I haven't heard anything special about the food, the restaurant manager is the daughter of one of the most famous chefs in Denmark and you can't argue with the view.
Premisse in Dronningens Tværgade is definately one of the best places I have eaten besides have a really great head chef they have one of the best sommeliers in Denmark.
If you're looking for classic french cuisine try Formel B on Vesterbrogade not far from Frederiksberg Have, really really good food but very classic, they also received one star and a rising star in the michelin guide this year.
If you're looking to make a day of it take the train to Helsingør and a cap from there to Jan Hurtigkarl & Co. in Aalsgaarde, the owner Jan and His head chef travel to a new country every year and fusion it with french cuisine, this year they've been to japan and have one of the best chefs from Kyoto working there, not just sushi but different Japanese-French cuisine, amazing food and a fantastic view, call for further info 49 70 90 03 or check out www.hurtigkarl.dk they also have an english webpage

Affordable:
Luns is a very good restaurant as someone mentioned previouly in the thread or try FAMO in saxogade, former head chef Fabbio Mazzon from Michelin stared Era Oro teamed up with DAnish chef Morten Kaltoft, it has gotten pretty good reviews.

For Lunch I prefer either Cafe Victor for the cosmopolitan atmosphere or try some of the smaller cafees in Strædet which runs parallel with Strøget

For drinks try Hotel Fox at Jarmers Plads run by one of the best bartenders in Denmark or Al Mercante in Bredgade where the bartender who just won the DAnish Championship in Long drinks recides.

Hopefully this will be of help

Enjoy Denmark!!

[YKL]

Thanks for the feedback Benjamin ... will have to save them for my next visit to Copenhagen because I got back home last night! I had a fantastic time in CPH - and can't wait to return to sample more delights - so your recommendations are very welcome.

Only have time for quick comments - but wanted to say that the meal we were served at Noma on Friday was the best dining experience of my entire life!! There was delicacy, freshness and purity and yet all so completely rooted in the region. Some of the food made me so joyful that I was close to tears - and I can only describe the experience as an emotional response to food - which has never happened to me before. You're very lucky to have noma on your doorstep - I have to try and figure when I can get another flight to Denmark!

Also had a sublime meal at Den Gule Cottage in Klampenborg - which would be in my top five dining experiences. The squab pigeon had an incredible flavour.

1.th was very enjoyable - although clearly very different.

And finally had a good meal at restaurant MR ... although technically very accomplished - for me, it did not have the heart and soul of noma.

Speaking to the chef at noma, we were discussing how danish dining has undergone a revolution in teh last five years - and apparently there is much more for me to sample! And I look forward to an early return ...

Regards

Yin

[Poots]

My cousin visited me a few weeks ago here in Copenhagen. We had quite a busy few days wherein we dined at Cofoco, Noma, Koriander, and Madeleine's Mad Teater. The most amazing dinner was absolutely Noma where after 9 courses(7 courses and some amuse bouches) and 7 glasses of wine there was only One 'less than stellar' incident and that was one of the wines was a new style barolo that we all felt wasn't a great match with the course. Asides from that the night was as close to perfect as any meal i've ever experienced. And man, people are going to look strangely at me when i now request pork fat instead of butter with my bread! we had 2 servings of the stuff which was absolutely amazing! Noma Pictures of every course, courtesy of my cousin, can be seen at http://www.flickr.co...57594286549372/

Koriander is a french\indian fusion restaurant which was also a very enjoyable meal. However it was also the Longest meal i've ever had. We sat at 715pm and left around quarter after midnight. by the end we were just trying to get out of there. Pics at: http://www.flickr.co...57594289424626/

Cofoco was a very reasonable 3 course meal(for around 50 US w/out wine). Great meal for the money in a easy going atmosphere. Pics at:
http://www.flickr.co...57594286536156/

Madeleine's Mad Teater was truly an experience. It's a true performance as dinner. It's in a warehouse type building. Large and completely open on the inside. The theme of the night was Childhood or Childish or evoking the sense of childhood(or something like that). This was the last night with that theme. This was the first theme since opening day. After entering the building we were given a hibiscus kir(with pink plastic elephant ice cubes) and a coin. The coin was for our first course which was dispensed from an automat. We then sat on some astroturf like a kid's playground and enjoyed it there. The servers were great, especially considering they hadn't had many native english speakers before us. They kindly explained the courses as they arrived(the menu was only in danish) and so i could see how poorly i had messed up the translations to my dining partners. The diners were seated upon a small stage with a clear view of the completely open kitchen. On two sides of the stage were white lit walls which had images and lights shown on them. Themed music was played depending on course and pictures being shown. All in all a very fun and new experience. Pics at:
http://www.flickr.co...57594294608747/
Brian

Edited by Poots, 03 October 2006 - 01:31 PM.

[YKL]

The most amazing dinner was absolutely Noma where after 9 courses(7 courses and some amuse bouches) and 7 glasses of wine there was only One 'less than stellar' incident and that was one of the wines was a new style barolo that we all felt wasn't a great match with the course.  Asides from that the night was as close to perfect as any meal i've ever experienced.  And man, people are going to look strangely at me when i now request pork fat instead of butter with my bread!  we had 2 servings of the stuff which was absolutely amazing! 

Absolutely agree with the above ... in fact I was so blown away by the pork fat that I actually gave it a round of applause!!

In fact - have made arrangements to return to CPH to dine at noma in December ...

[emsny]

I am glad I searched for this thread: we are considering a few days in Copenhagen in early January, perhaps between the 3rd and the 8th. Noma looks amazing. I've e-mailed them to ask whether they're open during that time, but perhaps an eGullet member can answer a more general question: do Copenhagen restaurants take a new year's holiday break, or will pretty much everything be open at that time? Thanks.

[jakob nielsen]

I am glad I searched for this thread: we are considering a few days in Copenhagen in early January, perhaps between the 3rd and the 8th. Noma looks amazing. I've e-mailed them to ask whether they're open during that time, but perhaps an eGullet member can answer a more general question: do Copenhagen restaurants take a new year's holiday break, or will pretty much everything be open at that time? Thanks.

You shouldn't have any problems.
A lot of restaurants will be closed new years eve, and on the 1st of Jan aswell. After that everything is usually back to business.

Enjoy

[emsny]

Thank you, Jakob. Is this true for museums, shops, etc. also: that everything is back to normal a day or two after new year? I know the opera has performances that week, for instance (sold out, but I shall try somehow to get tickets).

[jakob nielsen]

Thank you, Jakob. Is this true for museums, shops, etc. also: that everything is back to normal a day or two after new year? I know the opera has performances  that week, for instance (sold out, but I shall try somehow to get tickets).

Should be true for those things as well. Might be that some small places take an extended vacation, but it is not common.

[emsny]

Again, Jakob, thank you. When we have our final travel dates, I may post again with any gastronomic questions. I know, for instance, that I will be eager to know about the best pastry shops and cafes serving Danish cakes and pastries.

[jakob nielsen]

Again, Jakob, thank you. When we have our final travel dates, I may post again with any gastronomic questions. I know, for instance, that I will be eager to know about the best pastry shops and cafes serving Danish cakes and pastries.

No problem, I am sure some of the other guys will chip in as well.
Denmark, or more specifically Copenhagen, has enjoyed a gastronomic surge over the last 5 or so years, so there is plenty to pick from in almost any category.

[emsny]

Well, we have now booked our air tickets and will be in Copenhagen from 3 through 7 January, leaving for London on the 8th. Noma does indeed sound like someplace we must not miss and we shall certainly try to get a table there, but I'm looking for a few other things as well. Specifically, places that serve unreconstructed, traditional Danish dishes - it is okay if they specialize in one particular thing (herring, for instance), though a broader menu would be more useful for a short visit like this. Also, pastry shops/bakeries/cafes that serve high-quality Danish pastry; my only acquaintence with this school of pastry is through G. Wennberg's book, which I think dates back to the 1950s or 60s, and I look forward to trying it in its home town, so to speak. Finally, are there decent/interesting places open late? We are hoping to go to the Royal Danish Opera (if we can arrange tickets), and it would be nice to be able to find something good to eat after the show(s). Thanks, all.

[Poots]

The most famous bakery that i know of is La Glace which is located in the middle of Stroget the walking street. It's website is: La Glace
One of it's more interesting specialities is Sports Cake...don't ask me why it's called that because i have no idea(although i just found out on their website). They even have pictures of their cakes, hmmm:Cakes
I'm not a big consumer of traditional danish food(other than my daily lunch at work) so i can't help you there. Two useful sites are the Press guide at Wonderful Copenhagen Press Releases
and AOK which has restaurant listings and other tourism info.
Looking at the opera's website Opera
you'll get out of the opera sometime after 10. I don't know for sure if they serve food that late but their hours show them open til 2 on the weekends is Cafe Quote. It's in Kongens Nytorv and a pretty good place. Cafe Quote Website
-Brian

Edited by Poots, 19 October 2006 - 05:58 AM.

[jakob nielsen]

I am not much of a cake person, but La Glace is a copenhagen classic.
I personally prefer the mini-chain Emmerys. Their cakes (and bread!) are in my opinion better, but the stores lack the charm that La Glace has.
There is an Emmerys at Østerbrogade 51. There is another one at Vesterbrogade 34 (no seating)

For traditional danish "smørrebrrød" go to Toldbod Bodega, Esplanaden 4. It's fairly close to the Royal Residence. Great Place. Lots of atmosphere. Have the "fiskefilet". http://www.toldbod-bodega.dk/

Another place is Kanal Cafeen. Close to the parlament. Frederikshols Alle 18.

At both places you might wan to check out how much smoking is going on, before you get seated.

For "new" danish cuisine. Noma is the place.

[emsny]

Thanks, Poots and Jakob. When I've digested your comments, I may get back to you with more questions.

[Max Frank]

Spent a recent weekend in Copenhagen, and had some wonderful dining experiences:

Noma: This was a truly sublime experience, and well worth its place in the world's best. A second or third michelin star can only be a matter of time. We had the 7 course tasting menu with matching wines. It was truly exceptional cooking of the highest standard. Delicate and refined and with the freshest of ingredients. There was an overwhelming natural resonance to the ingredients which was intoxicating. All the food was sourced from scandinavia (deer, elderberries, scallops, squid, mussel, walnuts, seaweed, skate to name some of the foods we had). It truly had soul.

Some standout courses:

Pickled skate and elderberries and a foamed mussel sauce: Gorgeously delicate skate punctuated with the kick of each elderberry, and the delightful hint of mussels with the foam. I'm not overly keen on foams but this hit just the right note.

Squid with truffles, with a hazelnut sauce and yoghurt: Absolute heaven! Delicate squid made intense with the truffles, and then transcended to another level with a rich hazelnut sauce, offset with a mix of yoghurt. Paired with this a wonderfully complex and richly perfumed slovenian wine (ribolla grape from simcic).

Vension sausage and poached pear with walnuts and verbena: The vension achieved an impossible richness and delicateness all at once. Offset to perfection with the pear. It sounds odd to say, but you almost felt at one with nature eating this dish. Overwhelming.

Dessert of milk in different textures with mountain cloud berries: Milk in various reductions, down to a richly textured sauce and then eventually a wafer. An inventive and intelligent course, but never forsaking the taste. A delight.

A wonderful evening, and in a beautifully converted old warehouse high on natural design (exposed woodbeams, restrained danish design, 60s chairs with sheepskin throws etc.) and looking out across the water. Very special.

Cofoco: This was an incredible deal. A lively place, beautiful decor and even better food. We had 3 courses for 225dk each (about €30), and a bottle of very drinkable shiraz for 100dk (about €14). You can choose to sit at an individual table, or a large communal one. These are incredible prices in Copenhagen for the level of food and surroundings we got. We had jerusalem artichoke soup with goat's cheese, main course of deer, and pungent ice-cream of chocolate and lychees for dessert. Superb cooking. Incredible value. Book ahead.

Soren K: This is the restaurant in the 'Black Diamond' extension of the royal library down near the waterfront. The location can't be beaten. Looking out over the water. Excellent quality food, and good value 2-course deal available.

Hotel Skt Petri: The restaurant here is in a stunning and trendy hotel conversion from its previous life as a department store. 4 storey high curtains robe off the restaurant from the main atrium. Dramatic indeed. A buzzy sort of place aswell with beautiful people. The food is probably a bit expensive for what it delivers, but the whole package is worth it. There is an asian influence with some of the dishes which worked very well. The menu allows you pick small,medium or large portions of any dish on the menu which is a great novelty. I had a small main course of fillet steak and we shared a lovely chocolate dessert.

So, Copenhagen shined. I'll be back soon. I heartily recommend it.

[jakob nielsen]

Thanks for the report.
All good choices, it looks like you did some serious homework!!

[emsny]

Any thoughts on the restaurant(s) in the Hotel d'Angleterre? In so many cities, hotel restaurants are now far better than they used to be - ten years ago I wouldn't even have asked the question!

[ckruse]

Any thoughts on the restaurant(s) in the Hotel d'Angleterre? In so many cities, hotel restaurants are now far better than they used to be - ten years ago I wouldn't even have asked the question!

I havent read all the previous posts but for smorbrod I would suggest Kanal Kafeen, I found it excellent in terms of ambiance and food quality. I suggest leverpostej (liver paste with bacon and mushrooms) and fleskastej (sp) (pork with cracklings)

go to any konditorei and have a wienerbrod or a mazarin

[jakob nielsen]

D'angleterre...

Don't do it!
D'angleterre was the scene of one of the most talked about (amongst food people) controversies in DK this year.
After years of mediocrity, D'angleterre hired Rasmus Kofoed, who placed 2nd (or 3rd) at last years Bocuse D'or. He is considerede one of the brightest talents in Denmark.
After a few months he abruptly left. In the media it was said, that the owner forced him to put club sandwiches amongst other things on the menu.
His whole staff left with him.
Then they hired another good chef (forgot his name just know), but he left after a short period as well. Since then, D'angleterre hasn't been mentioned much.

There are plenty of good alternatives very nearby, if you are staying at the hotel. Which is still excellent (and fairly expensive).

Edited by jakob nielsen, 08 December 2006 - 05:00 PM.

[emsny]

Thank you SO much for that update/history, Jakob. I had read about the hiring of Kofoed, which piqued my interest, but not about his having left!

I hate to trouble you, but what are some of the other options near the hotel? I was thinking of our first night, when we may want to get back to our bed quickly after dinner. We're interested both in simple and fancy - but somewhere focusing on Danish dishes would be most welcome.

[jakob nielsen]

Thank you SO much for that update/history, Jakob. I had read about the hiring of Kofoed, which piqued my interest, but not about his having left!

I hate to trouble you, but what are some of the other options near the hotel? I was thinking of our first night, when we may want to get back to our bed quickly after dinner. We're interested both in simple and fancy - but somewhere focusing on Danish dishes would be most welcome.

These are all within easy walking distance of the Hotel.

Top Class:
Premisse, www.premisse.dk, also in english. Dronnings Tværgade 2.
Ensemble, www.restaurantensemble.dk, Tordenskjoldsgade 11, very close

A less formel place that is getting good press lately
Oubæk, www.rasmusoubaek.dk/, St. Kongensgade 52, very close by. A former top place turned brasserie. Haven't been there, but supposedly good value.

None of those places are particularily danish
this is though
Tolbod Bodega, http://www.toldbod-bodega.dk/, mentioned above. Esplanaden 4, maybe a good kilometer away. You might want to check there opening hours. Traditional danish food is often thougt of as a lunch thing, but I am sure they'll be open most nights.

The area around the hotel, is filled with small little streets, there are plenty of good takeaways and such.
Across the square from the hotel is the Nyhavn area, which especially in summertime is very popular with tourists, might be in december as well. Don't go there for the food, go there for the atmosphere, and maybe a beer or two.

Edited by jakob nielsen, 09 December 2006 - 11:02 AM.

[emsny]

Many thanks, Jakob; yes, a kilometer certainly counts as nearby - we are New Yorkers and, hence, walkers.

One more question (for now): where does one find the best wienerbrod? So far, the best I've ever eaten was in Tokyo (!) - in a cafe at the Royal Copenhagen china department in one of the big Tokyo department stores.

[jakob nielsen]

Many thanks, Jakob; yes, a kilometer certainly counts as nearby - we are New Yorkers and, hence, walkers.

One more question (for now): where does one find the best wienerbrod? So far, the best I've ever eaten was in Tokyo (!) - in a cafe at the Royal Copenhagen china department in one of the big Tokyo department stores.

I am not a big Wienerbrød fan, but La Glace that Poots recommended is probably a good bet.
There is quite a lot of not very good bakeries, so keep your eyes open.

Upthread I recommended the chain Emmerys, if you come by one of those. It's generally better quality of ingredients, and nos a sugary as many of the more traditional places.

[YKL]

this thread has reminded me that I have dinner booked at The Paul in Tivoli later this week. Will be my first visit and I have high expectations .... are they justified?