Tag Archives: Sweden

Hot on the Highstreet Week 149

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A good night’s sleep is essential for a healthy, happy lifestyle. As I get older I am more and more willing to part with pennies for the comfiest pillow, softest sheets and snuggest pyjamas.

Hastens make beds for Kings and Queens, and after trying out their beautiful bedwear I believe their pyjamas and duvet boots are royalty worthy too. Hastens products are appealing both visually and to touch. With a obvious focus on quality, Hastens bedwear is made from 100% natural materials, most often featuring the classic blue check synonymous with their brand.

The pyjamas are the ultimate nightwear indulgence… exceedingly soft, lightweight but warm. They are best worn in a loose fit, but do come out large so I’d suggest buying a size smaller than you’d expect. The shirt looks nice enough to wear out with a rounded collar and a useful top left hand pocket. The trousers are slouchy with a comfortable elasticated drawstring waist. Made from 100% cotton and available in sizes XXS – XXL (as well as kids sizes) …the whole family can be matching!

The Hastens down boots are the most luxurious footwear around. Filled with 75% white down and 25% sea bird feathers these amazing duvet boots ensure your feet are cosy and warm all night long. I fell in love instantly when I saw these unique boots, encasing your feet in comforting warmth, they would be the ideal gift for anyone and everyone. One size fits all.

For head to toe night fashion I’d recommend the Hastens night cap. Also made in the familiar blue check with a cute hanging bobble it will complete the handsome Hastens look!

See the whole range online here: www.hastens.com/en/

or buy in store at the London flagship shop: 66-68 Margaret Street, W1W 8SR

LUX STOCKHOLM, Stockholm

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LUX Stockholm is located in Lilla Essingen, a short taxi ride from the hubbub of the city centre. A former Electrolux canteen, it is an unusually cool setting for a Michelin starred eatery and yet seems to suit Lux’s quirky style and adventurous take on food.

On entering we noticed a lack of young diners in the restaurant, odd perhaps considering the inventive, contemporary cooking; however when you remember the location and hefty prices it makes more sense. All food and eating out in Stockholm is expensive so you can imagine, fine dining is extortionate.

The tasting menus are recommended and are available in a 6 or 9 course option. You do get your money’s worth as Lux are very keen on amuse-bouches and we were treated to numerous tasters from the chef before the actual meal commenced. Tiny savoury profiteroles, micro salads, miniature mouthfuls of soup all arrived, immaculately presented and uniquely arranged. I was impressed with the clever design and polite tidiness of the food, but although the plates always looked beautiful the food on them didn’t always look appetising.

Chef Henrik Norstrom is not afraid to be bold and brave in the kitchen, defying convention to create technically sophisticated food with lots of flair. He uses almost exclusively organic, unusual and locally produced ingredients. Without a menu I would not have been able to guess some of the fascinating dishes placed in front of me. Between us we tried almost everything from the tasting menus:

– Dill flavoured herring from Gothenburg with cockles from Grebbestad, pickled gherkin, garden sorrel and sour cream

– Parsley simmered langoustine from Fjallbacka with Ivergard’s parsley suede, parsley cream and steamed crayfish parcel

– Lightly smoked and blackened reindeer from Overtornea with Ivergard’s broad beans, fried chanterelles, cress cream and pickled green cabbage

– Tomatoes from Hornudden’s garden

– Fir tree smoked mallard from Vastmanland, Ivergard’s fennel, pickled currents, black pudding biscuits and ginger

– Juniper berry fried roe deer buck from Sodermanland with cep, salt pork, parsley suede and chicken crisp

– Cream ice cream made of autumn raspberries from Stenhuse farm with hazelnut cream, almond milk and frozen coffee mousse

– Garden chocolates and marmalade

The fish courses were the most radical: some raw, others cooked lightly and served with eccentric choices of vegetables and pickles. Intriguing for the palate but not necessarily comforting. The meat was more hearty, we particularly enjoyed the deer, a lovely flavoursome cut of meat cooked to perfection with a salty rich and delicious sauce and served on a bed of soft sweet vegetables. Dessert was a lovely contrasting dish with red fruits and silky smooth mousse.

The service was good but I was disappointed not to see more smiles from the waitresses, they all looked a little glum and absent.

Lux Stockholm offers exceptionally attractive experimental food that pushes the boundaries of Michelin starred cuisine whilst showing off Stockholm’s finest produce and traditions.

More information here: http://luxstockholm.com/

Thanks to visitstockholm.com follow them on twitter for news and information, @visitswedenuk

Gold Bar and Caina restaurant, Nobis Hotel, Stockholm

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The Nobis Hotel is one of the grandest and most prestigious places to stay in Stockholm; aside from its luxurious rooms, this Swedish landmark is known for its elaborate cocktails and top class food.

While visiting the Scandinavian city, we took a trip to the Nobis to discover the appetising world of food and drink in the opulent Gold Bar and gorgeous Italian restaurant, Caina. Feeling immediately underdressed in our casual attire, we entered the world of Stockholm’s elite: tall, blonde and beautiful. We perched at the glorious golden bar and spoke to a polite waiter who offered us the venue’s favourite concoctions.

The cocktails we tried here were among the very best I’ve ever tasted: well balanced, imaginative, presented beautifully and seriously scrumptious. You can’t help but feel glamorous and superior whilst drinking in this amazing bar. I’d strongly recommend the following cocktails:

Queens Park Swizzle : this is an epic variation of the standard rum swizzle, originating from Trinidad in the early part of the 20th century, it is similar to a Mojito. Light and sweet with a wonderfully refreshing taste, it is served in a tumbler with a silver Indian tea straw, a lovely cold sensation on the lips but also useful for keeping out unwanted pieces of torn mint leaf. A few drops of Angostura Bitters add a touch of oriental excitement.

Southern Winds: this is a refined blend of afternoon tea culture and modern mixology. Served in a humorous teacup martini glass, the gin and citrusy flavours are perfectly balanced to create a smooth and delicious cocktail.

The Mexican Wrestler: is a more manly cocktail, a short drink with a mix of Tequila, French orange liqueur and chocolate bitters. Seriously chilled thanks to the giant ice ball cube this drink changes continually as the ice melts, the strength lessens and different flavours emerge.

Downstairs the lighting is dimmed and numerous waiters deliver tasty traditional recipes to hungry diners. All the food is prepared to a level of excellence though some dishes stand out more than others.

We were given no choice, instead plates were delivered with matching wine to complement. Ravioli stuffed with minced beef and duck liver and served with butter and sage sauce was my favourite, a comforting and richly flavoured pasta dish. The recipes were impressively innovative: blood pigeon with roasted hazelnuts and cherry gravy and chocolate pudding with extra virgin olive oil ice cream. Some experiments worked, others were less appetising, but it was a lovely meal nonetheless.

The Nobis Hotel is a palace of food, drink and luxury… and the Gold Bar is unmissable.

More information here.

Thanks to visitstockholm.com follow them on twitter for news and information, @visitswedenuk