Photos of Stockholm Past

Photos of Stockholm Past

I was recently reminded about the amazing experience at the NORTH Festival Los Angeles pop-up at Austere. NORTH happens to be the world's largest Nordic food festival outside of Scandinavia, that I went to this past winter (I know, I know - a bit late....but let me explain).

As my hubby and I discussed vacation plans for this year and beyond, I casually mentioned the food scene and convergence of cultures in Stockholm. Which, as you know, food, culture, and things-to-do, are top on our list when we plan vacations.

The "how do you know?" questions, were followed by asking my hubby to "read my blog." But, alas, nothing there...

Somehow, someway, my experience at NORTH was well engrained in my memory, but not on paper (er, Internet, but you get the gist).

But as my hubby says, it's never too late...

Organized by VisitSweden.com and the Stockholm Tourism Board, NORTH brought celebrated Scandinavian Michelin-starred Gastrologik chefs Jacob Holmström and Chef Anton Bjuhr to create an unforgettable 17-course menu.

MENU

Potato Chips, Swedish Vinegar, and Spruce
Brioche, Cream Cheese, Dill
Meringue, Chicken Liver and Apple
Lichen, Sour Cream and Vendace Roe
Algae Broth and Celery Butter
Smoked Potato, Sour Cream and Dried Cod
Onions and Yeast Cream
Leek and Juniper
Celeriac, Yogurt and Thyme
Tartare of Bison, Malabar Spinach, Horseradish and Cucumber
"Angamat" - Vegetables in Season
Smoked Black Cod, Butter Poached Onions and Kohlrabi
Lamb Shoulder and Beans
Pumpkin
Spruce Ice Cream, Apples and Berries
Emmer Wheat and Smoked Milk Ice Cream
Spice cake, Quince and Bee Pollen

WINES

La Petite Perriere Sauvignon Blanc

La Petite Perriere Pinot Noir
Marie de Beauregard Chinon
Marie de Beauregard Vouvray
Saget La Perriere Pouilly Fume
Saget La Perriere Sancerre
Saget La Perriere Muscadet

The chefs brought various ingredients from Stockholm, such as the spruce and fish, to create the various dishes for that evening, and they also visited the world-famous Santa Monica Farmers Market to bring the fresh and local vegetables to create the angamat, a beautiful and flavorful vegetarian dish.

While some dishes that evening were a bit strange on my palate, such as the celeriac, yogurt and thyme appetizer, the surprisingly simply spice cake, was elevated to gastronomic excellence with the quince paste and bee pollen.

The evening also included a Swedish design overview and lively conversations with folks, that until that evening, were virtual strangers...some, actually many, are now friends.

I loved NORTH and fell in love with a country I had very little interest visiting...until then!

Going back to my original point: it makes sense that we visit Sweden since one evening has already left an undeniable mark in my memory...don't you think?

Ana Lydia