The Stockholmtown Blog

The italian gourmet restaurant Per Lei moves to Hotel Stureplan on Birger Jarlsgatan 24 on January 15.

Photo: City/Johan Jeppson
One of my christmas weaknesses is the typical swedish saffron bun (lussebulle/saffransbulle). The daily news City lists the best places in the city for a saffron bun. And I couldn't agree more with them "more is more". The place with the highest score is Saturnus wellknown in Stockholm for their gigantic pastries. Here is the top six list.

Saturnus, Eriksbergsgatan 6

Vetekatten, Kungsgatan 55

Thelins Konditori, S:t Eriksgatan 43

Stinas Bageri, Frejgatan 46 A

Grillska Huset, Stortorget 3, Old town

Vurma, Bergsunds strand 31

Photo: Collage
The culinary scene in Stockholm is exciting. During the past years Stockholm have recieved several new interesting restaurants. This autumn there are at least 10 new favorites.  Here we have listed seven of them 

• Lydmar Hotel, Blasieholmshamnen by Nationalmuseum is comfy, home and away, bar and restaurant. 
• Collage, Ingmar Bergmansgata 2. Midluxury restaurant, coctailbar and nightclub on Östermalm.
• 19 Glas, Stora Nygatan 19 in Gamla Stan, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fixed menu + pizza.
• Lilla Hotellbaren, Scandic Hotel Malmen, Södermalm - bar and restaurant with a SoFo-atmosphere.
• Rue du Pont Nouveau, Nybrogatan 38, Östermalm is runned by the legendary Tösse bakery and combines pastry with french inspired food menu.
• Le Bon Palais, Barnhusgatan 12, Norra Bantorget, is a restaurant and disco with room for a thousand. The music played is mainly from the 70s, 80s and 90s.
• Asia Trading Co, Tegnérgatan 37, serves asian food in a cool hightech environment.

Have been curious about the Franzén-Lindeberg restaurant in Gamla Stan for some time. Its situated in former Guide Michelin star restaurant Mistrals premisses, and have only got room for some 20 people. Last week I got invited to try the new restaurant and I must say - it surpassed all my expectations.

The food tasted fantastic and was presented in a very innovative, creative and fun way. The restaurant is a "dream come true" for the two chefs, they told me. They had been searching for a venue for the past four years and have during the time tried and collected their favorite recipes in order to start the restaurant. This fact is obvious for every guest: The food is made with nr 1 ingrediences and prepared with love and care. The creative presentation is just one way for them to express their whole concept and love that they put into this restaurant. I must say, I was amazed. And I will not reveal any of their presentation secrets - that would spoil the whole idea.

The Franzén Lindeberg also offers a "chambre separé", a separate entrance with its own table with room for ten people, private bathroom , bar and sommellier.

The former Meat Packing District Slakthusområdet in the southern part of Stockholm City is turning into a center for gastronomy named Matstaden (Foodcity). The Restaurant academy will move to the area in 2009 and by 2012 the new area will be filled with food suppliers and attractions of all kinds, some open to the general public.

One of Stockholms top of the line restaurants Vassa Eggen have just opened a deli and bakery on Skeppsbron in Gamla Stan. According to Vassa Eggen the Albert & Jacks deli and bakery is like a small quality food hall with lunches and breakfast. The first Albert & Jacks opened on Engelbrektsgatan 3, close to the Vassa Eggen restaurant and the new is located on Skeppsbron 24

Photo: Cornelia Nordström/Scanpix

The traditional Crayfish premiere takes place August 8 all over Sweden and also in Stockholm. Mid August is a time when Swedes invites or get invited to crayfishparties. Swedish Crayfish are boiled with dill and salt which gives them great taste. The typical swedish crayfish party includes "knäckebröd" (crisp bread), cheese and with "snaps" (dram) and beer to go with it. And yes, swedes do wear those hats and sing songs during their Crayfish party

Why not try eating crayfish the swedish way on your visit in Stockholm.
Ulriksdals Wärdshus serves swedish crayfish and smörgåsbord all august - monday to friday during the evenings.
Grands Veranda  serves crayfish from thursday August 14-24

Photo: Strandbryggan
Fiore is the name of a new outdoor restaurant by Djurgårdsbrunnsbron-bridge on Östermalm in Stockholm. The menu is simple italian and the atmosphere relaxed. And the popular Strandbryggan on the other side of the Djurgårdsbrunnsbron-bridge have got some competition.
Fiore is situated on Strandvägen 56

Operakällaren

, Mathias Dahlgren, Rolfs Kök and Långbro Värdshus are new members of the  Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an international gastronomic association dedicated to bringing together both professional and non-professional members worldwide who appreciate and share a mutual interest in cuisine, wine and fine dining. Some 20 restaurants in Stockholm are members.

Photo: Allt om Stockholm
Where do the regular commuter Stockholmer go for a cup of coffee on a sunny day? The readers Stockholm daily tabloid PunktSE  have chosen their best out door café in Stockholm. Here goes:

1. Mälarpaviljongen, Norr Mälarstrand 64, Kungsholmen 

2. Vurma, (Three cafées, Gästrikegatan 2, Vasastan/Polhemsgatan 15, Kungsholmen/Bergsunds strand 31, Södermalm

3. Rosendal, Djurgården
4. Lasse i parken, Högalidsgatan 56, Södermalm
5. Blå porten, Djurgårdsvägen 64, Djurgården

6. Chokladkoppen, Stortorget, Gamla Stan

7. Kaffebar, Hornsgatan 80, Södermalm

8. Nyfiken gul, Hammarby Slussväg 15, Södermalm
9. Street, Hornstullstrand, Södermalm

10. Hermans, Fjällgatan 23, Södermalm

Start the day of in an inspiring enviornment at Nordic Light Hotel. From April 6 you can enjoy an american brunch with smothies, minihamburgers, sallads, pancakes between 12-16 every Sunday for 245 SEK.

Photo: michelin
Stockholm has two new star restaurants according to the french gourmet guide Guide Michelin Main cities of Europe 2008, which means 7 star restaurants in Stockholm. Mathias Dahlgren at Grand Hotel and Leijontornet restaurant in Old Town are the two new restaurants. The Mathias Dahlgren restaurant got recognised as a "rising star" which means that a second star is within reach. Restaurant Edsbacka Krog in the Stockholm area is the only Swedish restaurant with two stars according to Michelin Guide and they are keeping it. Operakällaren, Fredsgatan 12, Lux Stockholm and Esperanto are all keeping their star. Mistral restaurant in Gamla Stan closed in the autumn of 2007 and is therefore not included in the list.  Read also about White Guide awards, Dagens Nyheters gulddrakar

Guide Michelin also manifests restaurants with good food to a reasonable price, so called Bib Gourmand. New restaurants are Per Lei, Proviant, Ulla Winbladh and Carl Michael, all situated in Stockholm.

Photo: White guide / Lux Stockholm people
Six restaurants in Sweden were chosen in the White Guide category "international master class" - All of them situated in Stockholm. White Guide is Swedens equivalence to Guide Michelin.

International masterclass
Esperanto was chosen best restaurant from a foodexperience perspectiv and
Lux Stockholm as the best restaurant from a total experience perspecitve.
The other six international master class restaurants in Stockholm are:
Edsbacka Krog, F12 Restaurant, Mathias Dahlgren, Oaxen skärgårdskrog. Mathias Dahlgren, Matbaren was also chosen "The Best Environmental Experience" and Lux Stockholm awarded "Best service"

7 Stockholm Restaurants chosen Swedish master class

Vassa Eggen, Pontus!, Operakällaren,1909 Sigtuna Stadshotell, GQ, Leijontornet and Divino. Sigtuna stadshotel in Sigtuna was also chosen "Star of the Year",

Photo: from Chaikhana
The weather in Stockholm today is grey - Im longing for a nice comfy sofa, a hot cup of tea and some scones. I would love to spend the afternoon at one of these four places:

Esters The och Kaffehandel, Folkungagatan 95, Södermalm. Swedens oldest serves lovely afternoon tea (friday-sundays). choose between 114 different types of tea and so for 95 SEK.
Chaikhana, Svartmannagatan 23, Gamla Stan. Lovely tearoom in Old Town serves sandwiches, scones or fruitcake and tees costing 120-160 SEK.
Cadierbaren, Grand Hotel, S Blasieholmshamnen 8. Top class afternoon tea incl sandwiches and pastries, including a glass of champagne. 325-445 SEK.
Berns Asian, Berzelii Park. Try the Asian Yum Cha afternoon tea costing 175 SEK.

The upper part of Drottninggatan has been a bit dull the past few months, I think. The reason is that the fabulous Grill bar and restaurant have been closed due to fire. The restaurant will open again soon, March 4, and hopefully we who love Grill will be able to recognise the atmosphere though the website says that they have had an  "Extreme Grill Makeover"

The eventmagazine Nöjesguiden has chosen winners for the Stockholm Prize 2007. Carl Michael restaurant on Djurgården was chosen the best restaurant in Stockholm, followed by Le Rouge and Xe Ôm. Here is their entire top ten list.

1) Carl Michael, (swedish traditional) Allmänna Gränd 6, 667 45 96,
2) Le Rouge, (Popular bar, french inspired) Österlånggatan 17, restaurang:  Brunnsgränd 2-4, 505 244 30,
3) Xe Ôm, (Vietnamese) Gästrikegatan 3, 34 15 15,
4) Frantzén/Lindeberg, (new gourmet) Lilla Nygatan 21, 20 85 80,
5) Restaurang 1900 (swedish tradition) , Regeringsgatan 66, 20 60 10,
6. Matbar, (Mathias Dahlgren's less expensive) Grand Hôtel Stockholm, Södra Blasieholmshamnen 6, 679 35 84,
7. Leijontornet (neo swedish) , Lilla Nygatan 5, 506 400 80,
8. Om mat och dryck , (personal) Birkagatan 14, 30 60 07
9. Berns asian, (their own asian style)  Berzelii Park, 533 322 22,
10. Vassa Eggen, (gourmet) Birger Jarlsgatan 29, 21 61 69,

Photo: Xoko and Ejes Choklad
Chocholate has antidepressive ingredients and sets anandamin free, which makes you more happy. Why not use winter as a good excuse to enjoy some nice homemade chocholate in Stockholm. And if this is not enough you can try chocolate massage at Ellies Hudvårdssalong and at M Beauty . Here are five chocolate favorites

Robert E's Choklad , Odengatan 72/ Åhléns City - Sells lovely quality chocholate with different essences added.
Xoko, Rörstrandsgatan 15, is a dessert bistro which sells bread, cakes, icecream and chocholate. The place it self is also a treat.
Ejes Choklad, Erik Dahlbergsgatan 25 - is a classic and traditional place to buy quality chocholate and purveyor to the Royal court.
Chokladfabriken, Renstiernas gata 12/ Regeringsgatan 58 sells their own lovely chocolates.
NK Choklad, NK, Hamngatan 18-20 - Traditional place for chocolate and pastries.
Lux dessert och choklad, Patentgatan 7, Lilla Essingen - By the waterfront, a great place for food and desserts.

Semlor are immensely popular in Sweden, this time a year. Traditionally, Semlor should be consumed

on Fat Tuesday (Shrove Day) or "Fettisdagen" as its called in Swedish, which is the day before the Christian Lenten fast begins, which falls on February 5 this year.

A semla is a wheat bun fi lled with marzipan and whipped cream that is sometimes served in cold or warm milk. Stockholmtown suggests classical cafées for a great semla:

Vetekatten, Kungsgatan 55, City
Riddarbageriet, Riddargatan 15, Östermalm
Tössebageriet, Karlavägen 77, Östermalm
Sturekatten, Riddargatan 4, Östermalm

Tom Sjöstedt, chef at "Från Pontus" in Stockholm, was awarded Chef of the Year (Årets Kock) in Sweden - at the yearly competition in the City Hall.

Photo: Wallpaper
The Mathias Dahlgren restaurant in Stockholm, is the worlds best new restaurant according to Wallpaper Magazine.