Noma - a pilgrimage

In our first year in Finland, I discovered a re-run cooking series on TV, called New Scandinavian Cooking and became a devotee. The chefs are really innovative with local and traditional cuisine from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Claus Meyer, the Dane, has a restaurant in Copenhagen called Noma, in partnership with the chief cook (so they call him), Rene Redzepi. When I learned I would be visiting, I immediately got on their website and found one time slot open so I grabbed it for a solo lunch. It was an amazing experience for all the senses - a huge extravagance but one I couldn't resist. Each bite gave a medley of flavors and the presentation was so special that they brought each item one by one, on simple felt chargers usually so one could concentrate on that particular dish. Here are just a few of the several courses I had: a smoked, pickled quail's egg on a bed of smoking hay in a decorative wooden egg opened before you so the sweet aroma met you first; radishes transplanted from a fertile spot in Denmark, I had to pick to eat - everything edible except the pot, though I only ate the veggies; a cracker bridge with roe mayonnaise, fresh herbs and vinegar powder, and the main course was a small cut of ox cheek, such a tender morsel. I got a set menu - that was costly enough, but if price were no object, you can order a 12-course meal that the chef chooses - all of it a surprise and I really think that would be fabulous. The service was sublime, really, not overboard, and I was not shunted off in a corner either, as a solo diner. Everyone serves you, the chefs, maître d’, waiters, and they all know the cuisine thoroughly. They took very good care of me. It was so worth it. I found out afterward that Noma was awarded two Michelin stars and I am not surprised. This few hours on a Tuesday in March now forms a significant part of my farewell to Europe. More on that in the next post...