A
city where history splendor and modern design come together and create an atmosphere
of minimalist chic. Today a small piece about Copenhagen.
Impressively, though a bit unexpected perhaps, it's one of Europe's great dining destinations and Scandinavia's most creative test kitchen.
The picture above is from Noma.
"In an effort to shape our way of cooking, we look to our landscape and delve into our ingredients and culture, hoping to rediscover our history and shape our future" - NOMA
Dining in Copenhagen reflects the city's rarefied aesthetic sensibilities and its constant itch for the new. What turned Copenhagen into a serious dining destination—now flaunting 12 Michelin-starred restaurants—is its increasingly patriotic emphasis on local Nordic sourcing and New Danish cuisine. At Noma, the pioneer of this purist movement, the whole Scandinavian ecosystem is dished up for dinner. The rise of local culinary pride isn't just limited to high-end kitchens: Traditional smørrebrød (open-faced sandwich) restaurants have won new respect, and Danish brasseries such as Madklubben and Restaurant Nimb have made herring plates, fish cakes, and meatloaf stylish again. International restaurants that reflect the city's new multiethnic face are also driving Copenhagen's dining scene. Kiin Kiin, for example, draws foodie crowds for its ambitious Thai cuisine, and Umami fills up with scene-stealers who know their unagi from their anago.
Despite all this very busy eating, none of the city's statuesque natives seem to have gained a pound.
Strøget is one of Europe's longest pedestrian streets with a wealth of shops.
Are you interested in something a bit less pricy, then go to Vesterbro or Nørrebro where many upcoming designers sell their clothes. Try one of the many designer shops in Elmegade on Nørrebro where designers are present who will gladly fit the clothes to make a perfect match.
These days the Danish capital is blossoming. There is a spring in its step borne from a mixture of some brave new architecture, continued prosperity and a burgeoning confidence in its own charms
Copenhagen is clean, safe and ridiculously easy to get to know, the locals all speak superb English and the transport system makes London’s look like it’s on the verge of a nervous breakdown. It usually makes the top five, if not the top spot, in those ‘most liveable city’ lists.
The winter is rough on the green patches in the city, but when spring is just around the corner, the colours are slowly starting to show. The leaves on the trees are on their way back, and here, there and everywhere the colourful flowers are popping up. Rosenborg is one of the many places in Copenhagen that has a beautiful garden where you can really soak up the spring. Crocus and other spring flowers are gracing the lawns.
Torvehallerne, an upscale covered market that opened in September and is the first of its kind in the city. A glass walled indoor market in the working-class-turned-cool Norrebro neighbourhood, Torvehallerne is a mix of organic bakeries, coffee shops and fruit and veg vendors. It essentially showcases the best of all of Copenhagen’s boutique cafes, bakeries and brunch houses. And is home to my favourite, The Coffee Collective. This is a great article on the place.
Copenhagen is a great city when it comes to exploring the uniqueness of Danish design, the timeless simplicity, quality materials and functionality. Danes are among the leaders in world design.
Whether you are looking for royal porcelain or the latest AV technology, Copenhagen is home to many flagship stores of Danish interior design and furniture.Go explore the huge showrooms – many of which are exciting combinations of museum, gallery and shop.If you do not have time for it all, remember to visit Illums Bolighus, GUBI and CasaShop.
“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson -
