Tag Archives: Denmark

Höst, Copenhagen

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The first thing that struck me when I walked into Höst restaurant in Copenhagen, was the lovely atmosphere. The charming eatery is filled with whimsical plants and twinkling lights, and tables are tucked away in romantic corners.

Höst, Copenhagen

The restaurant has dimmed lighting and a cosy feel, not great for food photography but lovely for a long wintery dinner. Höst has won numerous awards for its creative ‘raw’ design style in the restaurant; think recycled wood, plenty of concrete and lambskin throws.

Höst, Copenhagen

Each day a 3 and 5 course set menu is offered, showcasing the best Danish produce and typical Nordic cuisine. After a delicious glass of Cremant we indulged in the Höst sourdough bread, served with wonderfully light whipped butter.

Höst, CopenhagenHöst, Copenhagen

My starter was a beautiful piece of baked cod with lumpfish roe and jerusalem artichokes. The disc of fish was charred on the outside giving a lovely smokey taste and was topped with a creamy fish sauce. The vegetarian option was a woody rustic risotto with mushrooms and herbs, a comforting dish for a cold winter’s night.

Höst, CopenhagenHöst, Copenhagen

The main course was a fine quality piece of beef sirloin concealed within a pile of beetroot spaghetti. The meat was cooked to perfection with a juicy flavour and a velvety texture, on top the beetroot (of which perhaps there was a little too much!) had hints of tarragon. Apparently the dish also had cep mushrooms in, but I couldn’t identify or taste that flavour anywhere in the dish.

Höst, CopenhagenHöst, Copenhagen

Höst don’t skimp on the in-between-course extras. We were treated to plenty of palate-cleansers and pre-desserts, including a refreshing pear sorbet before pudding. Just as I thought I couldn’t fit anything else in our final course arrived, Birch bark ice-cream with herbal chocolate, pear and caramel. It was an intriguing mix of magical textures and tastes, with almost medicinal fruity components and the satisfying frozen chocolate crumbs.

Atmospheric and delicious, Höst restaurant always ensures its guests have a memorable Nordic meal that you will remember long after leaving Copenhagen.

More information and book a table here.

Marchal Restaurant, Copenhagen

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Copenhagen has an array of amazing restaurants, from cute cosy cafes to smart fine dining establishments. Marchal manages to offer Michelin starred food in a welcoming and comfortable dining room, so guests can enjoy the best quality food without the fuss.

Despite its home within Copenhagen’s most luxurious hotel (D’Angleterre) this eatery aims to be inclusive, with a reasonably priced lunch menu for hotel residents and outside visitors to enjoy.

Marchal

After a glass of delicious champagne we were excited to see a basket of warm bread arrive at our table. Our early morning flight from London had left us ravenous and we were ready for a feast. The golden nuggets of sourdough bread were divine, made with beer and honey and topped with plenty of crunchy toasted seeds.

MarchalMarchal

The menu is a sensible length with several options for vegetarians as well as delicious meat and fish dishes. To start we chose the Winter salad with poussin and the Truffle Bouillion with agnolotti. The salad was light and healthy with a subtle vinegary dressing and pieces of poussin breast meat strewn through the leaves. I can’t think of a better dish for Danish winter than truffle bouillion… it was like a big warm hug, woody flavoured warm broth filled with perfect little parcels of pasta filled with an artichoke puree.

MarchalMarchal

For main course we sampled the Sole with apple and fennel, and the Iberico pork with palm cabbage. It was nice to see that both dishes truly showcased the fine fish and meat produce, providing just a few other complementing flavours on the plate. The sole was delicate, cooked to perfection and topped with samphire and the stronger flavoured fish roe… the buttery sauce added a touch of richness and indulgence. My Iberico pork was concealed with a giant palm cabbage leaf and seasoned with walnuts and black cardamom. It was a majestic and delicious dish, coated in a wonderful sauce.

MarchalMarchal

Desserts felt slightly like an afterthought, with less care and attention going into the dishes. The Gold bar with hazelnuts and chocolate was a strange texture, but was served with a tasty calvados ice-cream. The millefeuille was too heavy and hard in my opinion. The caramel flavours were nice but the presentation seemed lazy and unexciting compared to the beautiful previous courses.

We loved our lunch at Marchal; where the food, wine and service really is exceptional.

More information and book a table at Marchal here.

Sticks’n’Sushi, Covent Garden

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Denmark has a food scene that is second to none. While in Copenhagen for the weekend I tried Danish, Thai, American and Italian cuisines and every bite exceeded my expectations. It may be expensive to eat out there but goodness do the Danes know how to cook. If you are searching for sushi in Denmark, the locals will all direct you to the same place, Sticks’n’Sushi. A few years ago this Scandi brand opened an outlet in Wimbledon, finally introducing the cool concept to Britain.

Last week my friend and I went to check out the new Covent Garden branch of Sticks’n’Sushi. Initially she questioned the decision… ‘But Mills, you don’t eat fish,’ I assured her that the ‘sticks’ would be adequate for me, and her love of fish would cover the remainder of the menu. In fact, Sticks’n’Sushi is the perfect restaurant for those still sceptical about sushi, there are so many other delicious dishes on offer there really is no need to be a sushi fanatic. Saying that, all those sushi obsessives out there will delight in this restaurant which delivers the most pristine, pretty sushi plated up in the most elegant fashion.

There is something about the stark red and black colour scheme and logo that immediately makes a passer-by think of Asia. Inside the sleek and stylish design is very welcoming, with gaggles of girls enjoying platters of sushi at every table. First I must mention the beautiful pictorial menu which displays delectable photos of every dish, so you can decide dependant on look. We immediately ordered two of the fresh juices to accompany our meal. Then, with an enormous amount of guidance from our waitress, we ordered a variety of the favourite dishes. Spicy Edamame Beans with warm miso dip were satisfying but quite sweet, followed by Ebi Bites (tempura shrimp with chilli, coriander, pepper, miso aioli and fresh lime) – these were divine with a light crispy coating and a tasty creamy dip.

For main course we were treated to a huge platter ‘Table for 2’:

Nigiri: 2 shrimp, 2 salmon New York, 2 tuna, 2 salmon

Uramaki / inside out rolls: 2 black Alaska, 2 sparkling tuna, 2 mamma mia, 2 dreamy California

Futomaki / big rolls: 4 gypsy big

Yakitori / sticks: 2 chicken breast with chilli dip, 2 chicken tsukune, 2 wrapped asparagus

Needless to say, it was more than enough to satisfy our hunger pangs! The sushi was all incredibly fresh and full of flavour. Of the meat sticks we favoured the grilled chicken with chilli sauce, though the asparagus wrapped in bacon was a lovely addition. For dessert, the menu images persuaded us to indulge with Lemon, Yuzu and Meringue and the Four Tasters (mini pots of crème brulee, green tea ice-cream, chocolate fondant, white chocolate with popped rice). Of the large selection tried (!) I would recommend the gooey chocolate fondant or the Lemon, Yuzu and Meringue combination which was light and refreshing. A pot of mint tea completed the meal.

Those working in the Covent Garden vicinity will be pleased to hear that Sticks’n’Sushi offers a take-out service, so you can enjoy the food at your desk. For others I would recommend visiting the restaurant before or after the theatre, with a group of friends or just for a hip and healthy (optional) date. I never thought I would love a sushi restaurant but Sticks’n’Sushi really has perfected the recipe for a contemporary cool restaurant offering fresh and fun food.

More information and book here: sticksnsushi.com