Friday, June 5, 2009

Dinner at Noma: A total hedonistic experience

For long, Copenhagen has been considered leading in terms of design and somewhat fashion. However, that has dramatically changed last couple of year as Copenhagen restaurant scene grows and right now, it is arguable one of the best scene in Nord Europe. One can find any type of restaurants around here… from topnotch… to inferior…

One thing is certain, at least for me. In this particular moment; the Nordic cuisine begins and ends with Noma. The name is a concentration of the two Nordic words "nordisk" (Nordic) and "mad" (food).

This is a restaurant specialized in Nordic cuisine, has two Michelin star rating, just a few months ago named as a 3rd best restaurant in the world and Chef René Redzepi, who previously worked for example at El Bulli, received the honorary prize as "Chefs' Choice" based on votes from the head chefs of the fifty restaurants on the list (The World’s 50 Best Restaurants).

What we had (including appetizers):


We started with warm smoked and pickled quail eggs...


The wavy crackers with sprinkled fresh herbs and horseradish dust...


Another crackers variation, this time with crystallized chicken skin and flavored with fish roe...


Macedonian l'equipe and radishes in the soil and yogurt in flowerpot. The waiters said everything in the pot is eatable... even the "earth".


and me....


Langoustines... this is still appetizer


Razor clam dipped in jellied parsley and chilled horseradish dust


Grilled cucumber & leek and crystallized chicken skin


Asparagus, egg, wood-sorrel and fresh herbs...


Fresh herbs, seaweed, red beet, stock from marrow bone and actual tender marrow bone (small scallops look-a-like)


Tender pork belly, onion sauce and grilled cucumber. We also needed a special knives...


Sorbet made from sweetened weeping birch and flavored with... well... something that astonishingly reminds me of guarana...


Dessert with a perfect balance of sweetness, berries and red beet flavor which are released in our mouth.

The wine star of the day:

2006 Mâconnais Pouilly-Fuissé Denis Jeandeau
Eye: Rich and golden
Nose: Complex, cigar box, toasty, citrus...
Palate: Beautifully balanced, with opulent aromas and flavors intense and same as on the nose, plus some minerals.
Finish: Very long and nice feel with a crisp finish.
(90 pts.)

This was incredible dining experience and I couldn't help but smile at the brilliance of the rich colors, subtle aromas and complex flavors.

Noma is in serious gastronomic league, so, dinner here doesn't come any cheap. But, at about 300€ per person, including glass of delicious Champagne, 7 course menu, matching with 7 different wines, followed by coffee and avec... I believe the price tag is justified. Don't miss the restaurant and Redzepi's cookbook: Noma - Nordic Cuisine.

Rating: 9.7 (out of 10.0)

Noma,
Strandgade 93,
Copenhagen

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Viva Zoranism! :)

jokke said...

Nice!!