Recommend September 2011 - (Page 30)

Dining Stockholm has justifiably earned a newfound reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting, diverse and creative gastronomic destinations. And no wonder, with its enormous range of world-class restaurants and many award-winning chefs who create exciting food, inspired by Swedish history and traditions as well as the surrounding world, all resulting in the opportunity for visitors to indulge in dining experiences that are out of the ordinary. And the city itself offers wonderful settings to enjoy a meal. You can sit lakeside in one of Stockholm’s many outdoor restaurants or in a medieval cellar in Old Town. A unique twist in many Swedish kitchens is the tendency to embrace locally produced and pure natural ingredients. From north to south, different kinds of ingredients are produced where today’s ecological focus means the production of the freshest and healthiest selections of berries, vegetables, fish and meat products. Indeed, some traditional Swedish culinary specialties not to be missed are local cheeses, salmon, herring, and other fish, wild game and berries, most of which you’ll find at some of the dining selections we’ve listed below. On the upper end of Stockholm dining options, there’s F12 with an eclectic mix of different food traditions and with an atmosphere that’s trendy and good enough to rate one star in the Michelin Guide. The Mathias Dahlgren in the Grand Hotel, named after its namesake chef, specializes in managing the heritage of the classic French dining room with only 36 guests served in this two star Michelin restaurant, while the adjacent one star Mathias Dahlgren Food Bar has room for another 64 diners. S4 But fine dining doesn’t have to be expensive. At the moderately priced B.A.R., seafood lovers can head to the restaurant’s aquariums filled with a choice of fish they can pick out for dinner. There’s also an oyster and champagne bar. For visitors seeking classical Swedish dishes, are you up for a little reindeer stew, maybe a nice hunk of ham shank? That’s the kind of hearty fare you can expect at Kvarnen, the city’s legendary restaurant, bar and waterhole with a century-old history, in the old blue-collar district of Sodermalm. Expect to enjoy well-made, classic Swedish fare with a modern touch at Den Glydene Freden, Sweden’s oldest restaurant, located in the Old Town. What’s black and red and filled with an eclectic selection of food coming at you from seven different “bars”? That would be Kungsholmen, a kind of “everymans” restaurant that’s a don’t-miss eating experience. Then there’s Le Rouge, which is a little like stepping into France itself as you pass through the door and become inundated with classic French ambiance and dining choices. The Urban Deli is a relatively new restaurant with draft beer selections and with wonderful deli favorites like homemade sausage, and delicious meat and fish platters. afternoon tea spot. The Icebar Stockholm by ICEHOTEL is the world’s first permanent ice bar. Everything except the liquids in the drinks are made of ice, and the temperature is kept at a constant 23°F. Och Himlen Dartill is a luxurious cocktail lounge and sky bar with spectacular 360-degree views of Stockholm from the top of a skyscraper in Sodermalm. City Parks There are few cities in the world that offer so much world-class nature in the greater city area than Stockholm. It thrives on its green areas, some of which are located in the center of the city and some just outside, and many of them filled with statues and important buildings. The National City Park/Ekoparken is the world’s first national urban park, forming an arc more than six miles long, stretching around and through the city. The park offers a unique blend of nature and culture, including being the home site to four royal palaces. Stretching right through the city-center, it’s a recreation area for both visitors and locals. Guided tours are available by boat, bike or on foot. The Rosendal Garden is a beautiful bio-dynamic garden situated in the center of the green island of Djurgarden, home to some of the city’s most popular attractions. There’s still more, such as The Bergius Botanical Gardens, a park that’s been growing since 1885, and one of the most beautiful places in Stockholm. Nightlife As one of Europe’s most sophisticated capital cities, Stockholm offers an eclectic mix of nightlife and entertainment. Riche is the classic meeting place in the city-center, where Stockholm’s art, fashion and business crowds gather to see and be seen. For a classic Stockholm nightlife experience, head over to the Cadierbaren Grand Hotel with its luxurious, elegantly cozy bar with gorgeous views of the water and the Royal Palace. It’s also a popular weekend brunch and Stockholm’s Gay and Lesbian Scene Stockholm is the perfect destination for LGBT travelers from the U.S., with its mix of modern lifestyle, openness and culture. The gay and lesbian scene here is like the city itself: warm, welcoming, easily accessible and fun. The rainbow flags fly high over much of the city’s central districts—particularly the buzzing and bohemian SoFo on Sodermalm and the Old Town—with many gay and gay-friendly clubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and other establishments to enjoy.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend September 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Abercrombie & Kent
Sunset Key Guest Cottages, Key West
Can't Get Enough of Jupiter Beach, Florida
Hanging Out in the Outer Banks
Aloha to Families in Hawaii's Resorts
Cruise Stockholm
Galapagos Islands- Cruising 101: Back to Basics
The Ultimate Family Adventure in Costa Rica
Flanders Travel Planner
Fabulous Family Voyages
China: A Wonderland for Kids
India: Pure Wonderment
An African Adventure
Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa, D.R.
The Bahamas: Islands of Adventure
Cayman Islands: A Home Away from Home
Mazatlan Reinvigorated
CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort

Recommend September 2011