London's best review, food and drink news
By Jenni Muir
'When a woman said it was too cold in here the other day I thought: “Yeeeeees!”' So enthused the chap behind the counter at this new West End café and grocer. The Scandinavian ability to maintain a sunny outlook when it's grey and cold and thoroughly miserable is truly enviable. What have they got that we haven't? I mean besides an impeccable sense for interior design. Maybe it's the herring.
Health advisors are keen to promote the nutritional benefits of oily fish such as herring, and here you'll find it in Danish and Swedish styles, served in little dishes with rye or crispbread on the side. Choose that and a couple of smørrebrod (Danish open sandwiches) - topped with smoked salmon, prawns, or meatballs and beetroot salad - and you have a light, varied lunch for just £4.50. If you're really hungry, you can choose five items for £6.50. Wraps Swedish-style are not made with Tex-Mex tortillas but tunnbröd, a soft wheat and rye flatbread. Alternatively, opt for hot dogs (£1.75), also available in both Danish (red pølse) and Swedish (varmkorv) varieties.
Espresso-style coffee is sourced from Monmouth but the authentic option is filtered Gevalia - the secret, the guy behind the counter assured us, of his good looks - served in Ole Jensen's trendy white Familia mugs. On the grocery shelves that act as wallpaper at this smartly designed spot, Zoégas, another popular Swedish coffee, is also available. In the chiller cabinet are huge wedges of good traditional semi-hard cheeses including prästost and herrgårdsost, plus Pucko, a popular chocolate drink. Cartons of rosehip syrup and Vilmas knäckebröd (Swedish oatmeal crackers) also help make this something of a destination for expats. And of course they have Abba - seafood products that is. On the CD player it's the Beatles, Beach Boys and Elton John.
Time Out London Issue 1933: September 5-11 2007
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London's best review, food and drink news
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My new fave place in London - best coffee, yum food. Worth a visit and wont break the bank.
This place would be great anyway just because of its food, great proper tasting coffee, cakes and groceries to buy. And I admit I'm slightly biased towards the produce as a Scandinavian.
BUT - the staff make it go from great to simply outstanding. They must be some of the happiest people in London! Simply so welcoming and genuine. In fact, the whole cafeteria is very warm and inviting; if I find out they have free wi-fi, I might abandon the office and move in!
I have been a weekend regular at this cafe since Shrove Tuesday, when I devoured two scruptious Swedish Semlor (the bun they traditionall eat on this day) with my friend. We ended up staying for over 4 hours! It is undoubtedly worth the 1 hour round trip, the food is second to none; healthy, fresh and served with the warmest welcome you will find in London. You cannot fail to leave this place without feeling relaxed, or having smiled at Henrik's dancing or Sebastian and Camilla's singing! It doesn't matter if you are not Scandianavian - I'm English - stop reading this and come down and enjoy this fantastic cafe. See you there!
A little gem away from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street. Nice people. Good value food for lunch. Recomended.
I stumbled across this little cafe by chance - and I'm so happy I did. I'm a Dane living in London, and this place has all the food I miss from home. The people there are so welcoming and friendly. I'll be going back for more.