Kristian Mortensen

Selma is good
Danish Smørebrød (smorgasbord) is a cultural institution, which for a long time was not changed. And for good reason, it was a good thing in itself (See my visits to the classical Schønnemann). But when Adam Aamann opened his Aamanns Deli, the whole scene changed, a new direction on smorgasbord was laid. Aamanns is amazing, Selma is better. Selma is headed by Swedish chef Magnus Pettersson and opened in 2018 – a collaboration with the ever present beer empire Mikkeller. Mikkeller awared Selma a Bib Gourmand in 2019 and even Søren Frank (renowned danish food critic) gave it top grade in 2020. And with good reason, Selma is a creature for itself. There are takes on the classics, but there is also new ventures into smorgasbord, I had made it a point to try their vegetarian options the couple of times I have tried the place, they are amazingly good.
I have been there a couple of times and I will come back. Will recommend
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Relæ was an institution in Copenhagen, in Danmark, and as a restaurant it was part of the whole New Nordic kitchen. Christian Puglisi started Relæ (and Manfreds across the street) in 2010 – and in 2012 it got a Michelin star. But not only that the restaurant was one of the first organic restaurant in the world, truly ahead of its time. In 2020 Michelin introduced the Sustainability Emblem
This was my third and final dinner at Relæ, since the restaurant closed at the end of 2020. And this loss to the restaurant community was speculated immensely at the time. Puglisi had a golden calf, why would he close it? Well this final dinner might explain why. I had some amazing experiences at Relæ, but Puglisi had won much more than he bargained for. The tastes he created with Relæ (and from his experience with quite a few high profile restaurants, like Noma) have become something to experience at quite a few restaurants in Copenhagen. And the concept became tired, with the place and the staff. It was amazing a few years ago, this last dinner was great.
The from farm to dinner was exceptional a few years back (like Blue Hill in New York), now it’s the standard. And the world is a better place.
Relæ was cheap, nice and will be missed. But maybe it is best in memory.
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We found ourselves a couple of days in Lisbon, and one of these days was on my birthday. So naturally we found ourselves gravitating towards fine dining. No tables at any of the Michelin restaurants, this restaurant seemed interesting.
Opened in 2019 (as far as I can see) – this restaurant is lead by Vincent Farges a French chef that have worked in over 10 years in Portugal before opening Epur.
Interior we were amazed to see so much inspiration from the kitchen we know form Copenhagen. The furniture was wood, and as far as I understood from the waiter it was from the Nordics. The less is more decoration was also quite like back home. White walls, with painting and decorated tiles (maybe more Portuguese then Danish)
Food wise there was also a reminiscent of the danish kitchen. Local produce, seasonal and beautiful presented.
We had a pleasant time with good food and wine. Not much to our surprise, the restaurant received its first Michelin star quite shortly after our dinner at the restaurant.
Should I find myself in Lisbon again, and with no table at the other rewarded restaurant in the city I would come back. I have heavily recommend the place
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Toto Winehouse is quite unique. A finer dining experience so long from the city center of Copenhagen. On Amagerbrogade there is mostly kebab and burger places (there is a burger place literally next door) and then there is Toto.
Toto have a set menu and a la card menu. This day we took the a la card menu. Since, why the hell not, I got the cote de boeuf with (a bowl of) bearnaise. We got some of the other menu items they make. Its good, really good food. But maybe someone should tell them that sometimes less is more. Quite a lot is happening on the plate and the fat flavors can take over the pallet.
They had some decent beers on tap. We had some wine as well, mostly old country and normal tastes, no funk.
Toto is very pleasant food, to affordable prices, I have eaten there quite several times. Mostly because its convenient and cheap. Will come back, but do not expect a exceptional meal.
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