President and Mrs. Obama
We’d like to congratulation President Obama on having been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize today.
Surely this means a trip to Oslo is in his future. As it happens, we’ve dined in Oslo three times this year and thought you might like to read a few reviews from local restaurants. Perhaps the President and Mrs. Obama will have an opportunity to enjoy the same meals we found so appealing.
Restaurant Det Gamle Raadhus
At first blush, Restaurant Det Gamle Raadhus, in Oslo, Norway, might seem a cliché of dusty splendor and stiff service, but lately, regulars have been raving about the revamped, local-inspired menu. The reindeer steak with a ragu of morels is a new take on an old dish – made lighter and given a little port reduction to brighten the flavors.
Any starter featuring the house-smoked red trout is worth ordering; it’s a salty, bracing fillet that’s just right with horseradish cream. Dinner for two, before wine, about $160.
Contact info: Nedre slottsgate 1. Tel: 47-2242-0107. www.gamleraadhus.no.
(Reviewed 4/07/2009 in Passport Newsletter.)
The Gamle Raadhus restaurant in Oslo, Norway.
Argent
Among Oslo’s many fine dining options, the Argent, at the Opera House, stands out. It’s a beautiful contemporary spot with a varied menu of selections that, in our experience, have been uniformly excellent.
Try the veal with mushrooms, the grilled salmon or the herbed glazed pheasant breast, and have alongside, the smoked vegetables. From a tempting array of desserts, we were very happy with a rich chocolate torte. Dinner for two, before wine, about $200.
Contact info: Kirsten Flagstads Plass 1. Tel: 47-21-422-142.
(Reviewed 3/10/2009 in Passport Newsletter.)
Oslo’s 18-month-old Opera House was designed by the same architects who created the Library of Alexandria in Egypt (where they were chosen from more than 1,400 other entrants in a design competition). Their Opera House design won the culture award at the World Architecture Festival in 2008.
Grand Cafe
The Grand Hotel’s Grand Cafe, a meeting place for artists and intellectuals for more than a century, offers a variety of Norwegian and international dishes, and its buffet is the largest in Norway. Dinner for two, before wine, about $100.
The Julius Fritzer, also at the Grand, is the more sophisticated dining room. Named after the founder of the hotel, the restaurant serves a five-course daily menu based on seasonal fresh foods from the market and has an extensive wine list. Dinner for two, before wine, about $170.
Contact info: Karl Johans Gate 31. Tel: 47-23-21-2000.
(Reviewed 1/19/2009 in Passport Newsletter.)
Mr. President and Mrs. Obama: Congratulations, and bon appetit.
– Peg Prideaux, CTC
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