Smørrebrød at Hansens Gamle Familiehave

It is unfortunate that until few days ago, I haven't visited this institution in Copenhagen, or to be correct, in Frederiksberg. I've been walking or driven around Frederiksberg Castle, CPH Zoo and other landmarks in the neighborhood so many times... and yet...

This restaurant dates back from about 1623 and it has started serving Danish cuisine, Smørrebrød in particular, "only" last century or so. Literal translation of Smørrebrød is buttered bread and for more info see the other post.


The entrance of the garden...


and it's rustic/traditional interior.


Danish style of sweet sour herrings with onions...


Danish style meatballs (frikadeller) and prawns salad with asparagus...


egg, tomato, chives and onions, with home made mayonnaise.

I've been twice in just couple of days, and I already love it. Looking forward to check the dinner menu as it's sounds quite tasty. Not to mention the comprehensive wine and aquavit menu...

If you are up for very danish frokost (lunch), serious old-timer waitress, and good place to have fun, go for it.

Rating: -

Hansens Gamle Familiehave
Pile Allé 10-12
2000 Frederiksberg

Elgar cello concert at DR's Koncerthuset

Cellist Andreas Brantelid received a price from the Danish court and he had played Sir Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85.

The DR's new concert hall is astonishing, everything around is monumental and still organic and human; I've never until now, experienced better acoustics and visual setting; and not only inside. I consider this as a new, unique architectural landmark in Copenhagen.


Large scale concert hall...


with a fabulous sight all around you...


so cool that Christina adores Edward Elgar because...


unfortunately, food experience in the bar hasn't been quite comparable with the surroundings.


DR Koncerthuset is amazing to see and "hear", just take my word for it.


As an opening; Salome dances from Richard Strauss opera Salome, conducted by James Gaffigan.

Sir Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 is his last notable work, so romantic, passionate, delicate... of course, a milestone of the all solo cello repertoire. Cellist Andreas Brantelid has a memorable musical debut with his fine execution, musical excellence and emotions.

Exceptional experience.

Gourmet dinner at M-Bar

Well... M-Bar again. Alright, this time with out text.


l'Equipe, Sanae, Emi and I


Starter...


Main course...


Desert...

In short, delicious looking and delicious tasting.

Apotekergården Mad & Leven, Grimstad

Grimstad is a small, cosy seaside town situated on the south coast of Norway. Among other things, it has a really good gourmet restaurant, namely Apotekergården.

I've visited the restaurant few times and I've always had a perfect dinner accompanied with a good glass of wine.


Cane chicken...


dover sole, white fish with a unique flavor...


fillet steak, from a Storegra beef a farm in Grimstad, washed down with


Onix Priorat 2006, Spain. Spicy and mineral. Very good value from sometimes pricey Denominació d'Origen Qualificada Priorat.

Besides the extensive wine selection, the menu at Apotekergården is limited with an emphasis on seasonal food. Everything was cooked good, probably bit rustic, but quite delicious.

If you're visiting Grimstad, don't miss a thing.

Rating: -

Apotekergården Mad & Leven
Skolegata 3,
NO-4876 Grimstad

Tartufo Club

The Truffle hunting season continues... this time at M-Bar :-)


The Chef


Tasty and delicious vegetarian tartufo risotto a la Paul, washed down with


2006 Sebastien Riffault Sancerre Rouge Raudonas
Eye: Somewhat light read
Nose: Ripe, very nice and spicy...
Palate: Ripeness, acidity, minerals and spices...
Finish: Not so long but very nice and refreshing.
Decanted: -
Note: This is my first red from Sancerre, it is amazing Pinot Noir and I'll look for more. (87 pts.)


And tortelini a la Zoran, with spinach, carrots and tartufo...

Both dishes are simple, fresh, glorious ;-)

My picks for September ...

This is my wine picks for September.


2006 Sebastien Riffault Sancerre Rouge Raudonas
Eye: Somewhat light read
Nose: Ripe, very nice and spicy...
Palate: Ripeness, acidity, minerals and spices...
Finish: Not so long but very nice and refreshing.
Decanted: -
Note: This is my first red from Sancerre, it is amazing Pinot Noir and I'll look for more. (87 pts.)


2006 Laurence Féraud Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Eye: Dark red
Nose: Ripe black fruits, strong pepper and alcohol. Alcohol notes vanished with air after 10-15 minutes...
Palate: Vibrant and very precise cigar box, black pepper. Rounded, silky....
Finish: Long and strange(in a positive way).
Decanted: -
Note: Very nice effort (89 pts.)


2001 Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas
Eye: Dark red
Nose:Grenache aromas with dust and spice...
Palate: Fresh and well balanced.
Finish: Medium
Decanted: -
Note: Excellent food wine (87 pts.)

Nazdravje!

The World Is Yours

It's hard to ignore rumblings about art...


and the result is The World Is Yours, the biggest contemporary art show at Louisiana, Copenhagen in years.


especially if you want to enjoy art at -10[degrees]C...


singing microscope...


wooden/metal skeleton...


or toilet platforms.

Don't miss it.

The World is Yours
5 september 2009 - 10 january 2010

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Gl. Strandvej 13
3050 Humlebæk

Copenhagen Cooking 2009

What’s Cooking in Copenhagen? Well, quite a lot actually.

Copenhagen holds in total 14 Michelin stars, two belonging to the famous Noma. If you like, you can read more about it here Dinner at Noma: A total hedonistic experience and The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Anyway, this time around, I've focused on some of the city’s best mid-price restaurants. And I've tried quite a few like for example Ebisu at Custom House, Tire-Bouchon and Fifty Fifty Sushi.

A trivia on popularity of this event; 800+ tickets were sold out in less than 15 minutes after the sales opened...


Antipasto dish @ Tire-Bouchon


Classic French stew @ Tire-Bouchon was a bit blunt...


@Fifty Fifty Sushi


My first Kaiseki dinner outside Japan @ Fifty Fifty Sushi


Marinated tuna sashimi @ Fifty Fifty Sushi was quite tasteful


Pork cheeks @ Fifty Fifty Sushi


Desert @ Fifty Fifty Sushi

Copenhagen Cooking 2009 was a success and I'm looking forward to the next year.

The Truffle hunting season begins...

I've been lucky to have first Tartufo dish this year...


Nice salad with carrot, spinach and orange peels


Marinade deer tenderloin with polenta and tartufo, a tasteful dish; simple and well-put-together.

Washed down with... well... we tried 1993 Pommard Robert Ampeau & Fils at first. Unfortunately bottle was spoiled (oxidized) :-/ So, we continued with Gigondas...


2001 Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas
Eye: Dark red
Nose:Grenache aromas with dust and spice...
Palate: Fresh and well balanced.
Finish: Medium
Note: Excellent food wine
Decanted: - (87 pts.)

That's all and looking forward for more.

Grand Cru 2008

For the first time I had opportunity to taste a new vintage, a Grand Cru wines from Bordeaux 2008 vintage.

Tasting unbottled barrel samples, once was a domain of hard-core enthusiasts. These days, barrel samples tasting are one of the most popular events.


At the Château Labégorce table


Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2008 has been a pleasant surprise


Absolute star of the day Château Coutet 2008 and 1998. The 2008 is so fragile at the moment that it must be protected from the light... But both vintages are so lovely...

What about rest of the Bordeaux 2008? Well some guys call this ordinary vintage and some are comparing to 2005 vintage... meaning; this is a controversial vintage, or it seem like...

Personally, I don't have opinion. For that mater, I don't have experience to access young wines, still in barrel, perhaps not even finished their malolactic fermentation and one year before final product.

Some of these wines were quite tannic and... well unpleasant. In any case, I had interesting... and educational experience, if you like. I had also a nice talk with Véronique Sanders from Château Haut Bailly :-) You can read about her 2005 vintage here.

What I have tested:

Haut-Médoc
Château Camensac 2008 2001
Château Cantemerle 2008 2007

Margaux
Château du Tertre 2008 2006
Château Giscours 2008 2006
Château Labégorce 2008 2001
Château Labegorce Zédé 2008
Château Marquis d’Alesme 2008 2006

Saint-Julien
Château Lagrange 2008 2004
Château Beychevelle 2008 2006 2002
Château Branaire-Ducru 2008 2004
Château Léoville Poyferré 2008 2004

Pauillac
Château Armailhac 2008 2003
Château Clerc Milon 2008 2001
Château Grand Puy Lacoste 2008 2006
Château Pontet Canet 2008 2004

Saint-Estèphe
Château Phélan Ségur 2008 2004

Pomerol
Château La Clémence 2008 2004 1999
Château Gazin 2008

Saint-Emilion
Château Angélus 2008 2006
Château Canon La Gaffelière 2008 2007
Clos de l’Oratoire 2008 2007
Clos Fourtet 2008 2006
Château Destieux 2008 2004 1998

Pessac-Léognan
Château Haut Bailly 2008 2007
Château Carmes Haut Brion 2008 2007
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rg. 2008 2007
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Bl. 2008 2007
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge 2008 2002
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2008

Sauternes
Château Coutet 2008 1998