Enjoy - Food & Travel

Hotel Luna - birthplace of A Doll's House

2009-11-11T08:00:00.008+01:00

Henrik Ibsen, the famous Norwegian playwright, loved the Amalfi coast. He wrote his famous play "Ghost" while staying at the Imperial Tramontano hotel in Sorrento. Another famous play was created on a hotel further down the coast.

As my friends John and Øystein passed the Hotel Luna Convento in Amalfi, they spotted these memorial plaques. The hotel used to be an old monastery dating back to around 1200, and is located on a cliff overlooking the crystal clear Mediterranean waters.

Henrik Ibsen - a man before his time

The plaque tells that in 1879, Henrik Ibsen wrote "Casa di Bambola" - or a doll's house, while being a guest at Hotel Luna Convento.

A doll's house tells the tragic story of Torvald and Nora Helmer, and how their apparent love for each other breaks down as lies and deception are exposed. As a result of this, Nora breaks out of their marriage, leaving Torvald and their children to fend for themselves.

A doll's house challenged marriage as an institution, and caused a public outcry. The reaction was so strong that it forced Ibsen to write an alternate ending, where Nora is led to her children after having argued with Torvald. Seeing them, she collapses, and the curtain is brought down. Ibsen later called this a disgrace to the original play and referred to it as a 'barbaric outrage'

The plaque also tells that Ibsen the story of the scene where Torvald made Nora into a fisher's maid and dance a tarantella, a local dance inspired by his stay at the Amalfi coast.

Another plaque reveals that one year later Richard Wagner wrote second act of Parsifal. The Hotel Lina Convento may boast of having hosted a long list of celebrities as Humphrey Bogart, Roberto Rossellini, Ingrid Bergman, Otto von Bismarck and Samuel Morse.

Hotel Luna Convento - rates

The Amalfi coast is an expensive high-class destination. Traveling during low season, though, you may get accommodation at much lower prices, and you may enjoy an extra bonus in the form of less tourists and more pleasant temperatures than during summer.

Traveling to the Amalfi coast during low season? See story here!

If you consider staying at Hotel Luna Convento, you will find that this is an exclusive alternative you have to pay a large sum of money for, both during high and low season. Money better spent at other, more affordable hotels.

But Hotels like the Luna, is still a place of the special occcasion. As when my friend Ketil and his wife spent their 50th anniversary at Hotel Imperial Tramontano in Sorrento. These hotels are venues for the perfect honeymoon or a romantic once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

See story from their stay at Tramontano here

Here are the present rates for different rooms during low season (January 3rd - April 30th and from October 1st - December 27th) and high season May 1st - September 30th and December 28th - January 2nd)

Standard room: Low season:€ 190,00, Peak season: € 250,00
Cost in your currency use XE-Full currency converter
Superior room: Low season:€ 240,00, Peak season: € 300,00
Deluxe room: Low season:€ 280,00, Peak season: € 340,00
Junior Suite: Low season: € 380,00, Peak season€ 440,00
Suite: Low season:€ 530,00, Peak season:€ 590,00
SPECIAL Suite: Low season:€ 590,00, Peak season: € 650,00
Suites LUNA & TORRE: Low season: € 780,00, Peak season: € 840,00

See images of rooms at Hotel Luna Convento here

You can book your romatic vacation at Hotel Luna Convento here

Capris - a great Italian deli

2009-11-10T08:00:00.010+01:00

As I wondered around at Saluhallen in Göteborg a cold day in March, I ended up by Capris a great Italian deli. It reminded us that there are countries to escape to, during cold Scandinavian winters, countries by the warm sunny Mediterranean sea. We ended up taking a little of the warm Mediterranean culture home with us. Salami with black truffles, and the most exquisite Parma ham. Here are a few other delicacies you can buy, if you visit Capris.

Pasta in all shapes and flavours

Seeing such a range of pastas under offer, I feel Norway is very far away from Europe, whereas Sweden is definitely closer, as a working member of the European Union.

I will guarantee you'll never find anything like this in Oslo. At Capris you can choose from tortellini and ravioli with different filling as ricotta and spinach, or Gorgonzola. Another intriguing filling was a paste made from porcini, walnuts, pistachio nuts, pecorino and Parmesan cheese.

You would have to pay around SEK 18 (€1,75) per 100 grams. Not bad for such a range of quality foods.

How to make your own ravioli - see how to do it here

Parma rolls!!

Parma, located in the Po river valley is widely renowned for its high quality ham. You may enjoy it just as it is, in a salad or made into delicious appetizers.

And what could be better than these Parma rolls, where the delicious ham are folded around creamy rich mozzarella, and sun dried tomatoes, and allowed to infuse in olive oil.

These appetizers can be taken home at SEK 25 / €2,70 each. It would be perfect for an evening where you could combine them with other antipasti, and at Capris there were certainly much more to choose from.

Markus Molitor Riesling Trocken 2007 is a perfect wine to Parma ham - see story here

Assorted antipasti

As these containers with other high quality products.

In the foreground there are three different varieties of marinated artichoke hearts. The core of these large flower buds are considered a delicacy, and is often served in naturel or filled with cheese. They can also be used on a hot pizza.

In the background you see parma rolls, baby mozzarella and home made pesto.

The art of enjoying an artichoke - see story here

Salami Cacciatore

The Italians make delicious salamis. This, is finely ground, and according to its name prepared "hunter style".

At Capris you find a large selection of different salamis. If you are not buying a whole sausage but a smaller quantity, do ask them to slice it for your you.

Finely sliced cured meats are perfect for your sandwich, in a salad or as a part of a plate of different cold cuts. Beware, though, that sliced cured meats have a shorter shelf life, than a whole sausage. It must be consumed within a short period, preferably 1-2 weeks.

A country lunch with Italian coppa, pancetta, and ham - see story here

Adress:

Capris Italienska Delikatesser is located at Stora Saluhallen in Göteborg, Sweden.

Capris Italienska Delikatesser
Stora Saluhallen 65-69,
SE-411 17 Göteborg
Phone / fax: +46 031-13 83 33
Website: www.capris.se

More to do in Göteborg?

See map with sights, restaurants and hotels here

Enjoy Food & Travel 2008-2009

2009-11-09T08:00:00.006+01:00

Enjoy Food & Travel has been running since August 2006, and after a slow first year, I am happy to see that more and more of you return to read my assorted mix of travel and food stories. After I changed to Google Analytics November 5th 2008, I have seen that the number of visits have increased from a humble 7000-8000 in 2007 to close to 50 000 the last 12 months .

Enjoy Food & Travel started as my personal culinary and travel diary, but has evolved into much, much more. At present I and my friends have published more than 1340 stories, from all over the world.

Here are a few data on the visits to the site.

Visits and visitors are going up and up

October 2006 was the first month I monitored the traffic om the site. At that point I had published 40 stories, and I had an average of 9 unique visitors every day. October the following years unique visitors rose to 67 (2007), 106 (2008), 123 (2009) per day. The peak monthwas February 2009 when I had an average 305 daily visitors, due to an inexplicable storm of very short visitors from Austin TX, and Rahway NJ.

Page views have increased similarly, even though the number of pages visited have decreased somewhat as traffic has increased. First month each visitor read three pages. November 2009 you only read 1,5 page.

Here are the basic data on visits November 2008- 2009. Enjoy Food & Travel had:

47424 visits (129,9 per day)
41602 visitors (113,9 per day)
66104 page views (181,1 per day)

RSS and subscription

I started to register RSS feeds April 2008 and since then the number reading feeds have increased from 27 to 48 per day, meaning an additional 1488 visitors in October 2009. This means that the total number of visitors exceeds 5300 for October. 23 of you have even chosen to get daily news to your e-mail address.

Enjoy Food & Travel all over the world.

I am proud to say that we are going worldwide. Last year I had visitors from 164 countries or territories in all corners of the world.

65% comes from either number one on the list, the United States or number 2, Norway my native country. The following top ten countries are all European countries except number four - Canada.

In spite of the strong traffic from Europe and North America, I am very pleased to see that I have had visitors from, for me, unlikely places as Ulanbataar in Mongolia, Rangoon, Burma, and Nuuk in Greenland.

I know that there are readers in Tehran (image), Chennai, India, and Pretoria, South Africa that follow me regularly. I am deeply honoured.

Visitor on Enjoy Food & Travel are coming from all continents, including:

All US States and Canada
All countries in South and Latin America except Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Nicaragua
All countries in Europe except Liechtenstein and Serbia
All countries in Asia except Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Laos, Cambodia, Papua North Guinea and North Korea
All countries in Northern and Southern Africa, fewer in eastern and western Africa

Here are the 10 countries with most visitors 2008-2009.

USA (18359)
Norway (7595)
United Kingdom (3854)
Canada (1464)
Sweden (1383)
Germany (1343)
Denmark (1102)
Spain (949)
France (945)
Netherlands (768)

If you break the figures down to cities there have been visits from 5617 cities worldwide. Number 2 and 3 on the list came after the sudden storm of visits in February 2009.

I am very proud to see that my hometown, Oslo, is number one on the list, and I have wonderful memories from all the other cities on the list from number 4 and down.

London - the taste of a great red wine in the cellar of Rudyard Kipling's house. New York - the nightly view from Empire State building. Barcelona - pintxos at Bilbao Berria. San Francisco - waking up in a Castro Street flat to the smell of freshly ground coffee from the café below.

I am privileged to have seen so much, and I hope to see much, much more.

Here are the top ten of cities.

Oslo (NO): 4833
Rahway (US): 3900
Austin (US): 3529
London (UK): 1721
New York (US): 733
Bergen (NO): 600
Copenhagen (DK): 501
Barcelona (ES): 402
Paris (FR): 305
San Francisco (US): 302

Enjoy Food & Travel - what now?

Enjoy Food & Travel has turned into something bigger and much more, that I expected, when starting to write. The size of the site has meant that I may have stretched blogger that host my site, to a certain limit. I have recently found that the search on top of the page, does not find stories I know I have published.

Even though placing another search for you to use, I have found that it does not find all I know is on the site. I am currently considering what to do in the near and more distant future.

I cover a wide range of stories, from my own culinary adventures to historic sights, and travel information. With all my visitors, I hope I may use the site to get in touch with my readers, and even publish your stories. This may include what you prepare for dinner, your favourite restaurant, and sights where you live? I would love to know your story.

The easiest way is to send a mail to johnsen.tor@gmail.com, and do enclose some pictures.

I would like to thank you all that drop by, and I hope you'll stay tuned for new travel and food stories the coming year.

(Photo Tehran: Apcbg)

Odd Fellow Palace anno 1755

2009-11-08T08:00:00.006+01:00

"Da den nye Bydel rejste sig paa Kongens Bud opførte C. A. Greve af Berckentin paa sammes opfordring dette Værk for sig og Efterkommere 1753." This is the inscription on the small plaque outside the Odd Fellow Palace in Copenhagen

Close to Nyhavn and Kongens Nytorv you find a few monumental buildings that were constructed when Fredriksstaden, a new part of the city was developed during the reign of the Danish kings in the 17th and 18th century. One of these buildings is the palace that Viscount C. A. af Berckentin built for him and his descendants in 1755.

The Viscount af Berckentin (1694 - 1758) was a German born diplomat and Geheimråd i.e. royal advisor. He also served the Danish king as diplomat at the Austrian Court in Vienna.

He married a German noblewoman Susanne Margaretha von Boineburg zu Honstein and they had one daughter, that married Christian Sigfred von Plessen.

At the end of his life, he asked the famous Danish rococo architect Johann Gottfried Rosenberg to design a large palace. The work started in 1751 and it was finished in 1755.

It was taken over by his daughter. Christian Sigfred von Plessen and Louise von Plessen had no children, leaving the viscount with no heir. She moved to Germany and died in Celle in 1799, 74 years old.

It is a remarkable building easily mistaken as a wing of the nearby Amalienborg Palace, the royal residence, that dates from the same period.

It was in private hands until 1900 when the Danish wing of the Odd Fellow Order took over, and they still conduct their meetings in the grand residence. In 1993 a large fire damaged the building seriously, but the Odd Fellow Palace has since then been restored back to its former glory.

Close to the Odd Fellow Palace you'll find:

See map of Copenhagen here

Vis Copenhagen on Enjoy Food & Travel 2007-2009 i et større kart

El Rincon del Artista - tapas in heavy traffic

2009-11-07T08:00:00.009+01:00

June 14th. Returning from Barcelona Botanic Garden to pick up our suitcases, and then head for the beach. We needed a quick snack before we should catch our train. What about tapas on a busy street corner. No? Well we thought it was a great idea. Welcome to El Rincon del Artista!

Location: BBBB-

We literaly sat down on a street corner under two large sycamore trees. Cars, lorries, and motor cycles roared as they passed us. Other guests did not mind the noise, as the bar was packed with people, a very good sign for those in need of good tucker.

El Rincon del Artista is located C/ Nou de la Rambla 105, a short walk from the Paral-lel metro station, and a short walk away from La Rambla itself, really!

Service: BBBB+

Very busy staff, with no need of small talk. They seemed rather uninterested, really, but served our drinks very swiftly. El Rincon del Artista had a short menu, and halleluja - in both Spanish and English.

Interior & Atmosphere: BBB

We sat outside, and the seating was not very comfortable. Hard garden chairs placed on cobble stones placed close to each other. When looking in we could see a traditional Spanish bar interior. No nicely decorated tables, rather the completely opposite. No glass, china or cutlery.

Food: BBBBB

We started to smile when the tapas were served. This was the real thing. We ordered Grilled mushrooms (€ 3,20), Croquetas Caseras (€2,50), Calamaris Romana (€4,80), and Patatas Bravas (€2,50). Lunch for two at €14 - a price difficult to match. Here is a short presentation of the dishes:

Grilled mushrooms

Champigñones de la Plancha. Doesn't it sound great? The most delicious little dish is plainly button mushrooms lightly fried until soft in olive oil with salt and pepper and garnished with parley.

An extremely simple dish to make. Deliciously soft and tender, but still with a little bite to them. And with that special mushroom taste.

A bargain at IEl Rincon del Artista for a little over three Euros.

Croquetas Caseras

If you make a simple search on Enjoy Food & Travel - you will find that that I love croquetas, and the croquetas at El Rincon del Artista were no exception.

Made from a smooth, thick white sauce / mash flavoured, in this case, with ham, then rolled in bread crumbs and fried in oil. A delicious combination of soft smooth filling underneath a crisp shell. Very good taste from the cured ham.

Try, them, you will not be disappointed and priced at 2 Euros only, you do not talk any chance at all!

Patatas Bravas

This is another traditional tapa, I have enjoyed many times during my stays in Spain. The trick with these is to get them as crisp on the outside (while not being too greasy), while keeping the potatoes tender inside. Perfectly prepared at El Rincon del Artista.

Patatas Bravas are usually served with a pink, mayonnaise based sauce, flavoured with a little garlic and, I guess, paprika powder, so familiar to Spanish cuisine.

Calamaris Romana

Another specialty separating the professional from the amateur. Two snags are: 1) Dry the calamaris on kitchen paper so they are not soaking in oil. 2) Do not over cook. The squid shall be tender, not tough as rubber.

Another perfectly prepared tapa. Different sized bits, not only rings, soaked in batter and fried. These were certainly made by professionals - dry, crisp, and mouth-wateringly tender.

Beverage: BBBBB

What is better than a pint of Estrella Damm, Barcelona's local beer. Perfect to fit the different dishes, as well as the ultimate drink for a thirsty tourist after a long walk in a summer warm Spanish city.

Rating Rincon Del Artista experience: BBBB (4,176 points)

Lunch served on the pavement, with city traffic roaring only yards away. Decent service, but definitely the place for excellent Spanish tapas, offered at ridiculously low prices.

Address:
El Rincon del Artista
c/ Nou de la Rambla 105
ES-08004 Barcelona
Phone: 93 442 12 40

Tortellini in red pesto - a dinner in 5 minutes

2009-11-06T08:00:00.003+01:00

After a busy weekend, socially, my choice for Sunday dinner was an easy tortellini. This is literally a dinner in five minutes, or can be, if you precook the pasta., and I used a spicy chorizo, a Spanish sausage to make an aromatic tomato sauce. The red pesto from Barilla is one of the best products in its category adding even more aroma to the sauce.

Tortellini with red pesto sauce

I have discovered a speedy way to prepare tortellini, or any pasta. I cook a whole package tortellini with cheese by Barrilla, until al dente, and then I dry and rinse them in cold water.

When cold, I place the tortellini in a container or a zip lock bag, and freeze them. Then I can take out the amount I need for a dinner. One bag is enough for 2-3 meals.

For this dish, place frozen tortellinis into a casserole, add boiling water from a hot water kettle, and allow them get warm. Then prepare the sauce.

Here is the ingredients that went into the sauce:

2 tbsp olive oil
1 chorizo sausage, finely chopped
3 gloves of garlic, minced
3 tbsp Barilla red pesto
10 cl red wine
sugar to taste

Fry garlic and chorizo in the hot oil, until golden. Ad red pesto and red wine, allow to reduce. Add sugar to balance the acidity.

Mix tortellini with sauce in you pan.

Serve immediately.

(Photos: Barilla website)

From March 2010: More flights Oslo - Milan

2009-11-05T08:00:00.005+01:00

Scandinavian Airlines, has, until now, been the only air carrier between Oslo Airport and Milan Malpensa Airport. Norwegian Air Shuttle will break its monopoly, as they launch four weekly flights, starting March 2010. This according to Daniel Skjeldam, Norwegians Commercial Director.

Milan, Italy's second largest city, is famous for its shopping, good food and wine, as well as being a gateway to the Alps in the North and the classic culture of the Po river valley in the south. Norwegian Air Shuttle will open up for more travelers from Italy and Norway alike, at a lower and nicer price.

The airline will fly to Malpensa, Milans second and largest airport outside the city.

One way flights will be available for Norwegian travelers at a low price starting at NOK 349 (€41).

This will be Norwegians fourth destination in Italy, as the airline operates all-year or seasonal flights from Oslo to Olbia, Pisa and Rome.

Did you know that Milan has a third airport?

Orio Al Serio is located close to Bergamo, 50 km /31 miles away from Milan. It is a major airport for Ryanair flights.

More stories on flights to Orio Al Serio:

More non-stop flights from Oslo and other Norwegian airports

Vis International non-stop flights from Oslo Airport - status November 2009 i et større kart

On special maps you find non-stop flights operating from Europe to the largest Norwegian airports. Here you have non-stop flights from Oslo Airport to destinations in Europe, Middle East, Asia and the United States.

On these maps you will find markers that display status on different non-stop flights to Norway. A red marker means that flight is seasonal and not in operation or that an earlier non-stop flight has been canceled. A green marker shows that there is a new non-stop flight planned to this destination. A yellow marker means that there is a seasonal flight still operating to this airport. An airplane button means that service is in operation all year around from the destination to Oslo international airport.

More non-stop flights from Norway to the continent

Bergen Airport Flesland (November 2009)
Haugesund Airport, Karmøy (November 2009)
Kjevik Airport (November 2009)
Langnes Airport, Tromsø (November 2009)
Rygge airport, Moss (November 2009)
Stavanger Airport, Sola (November 2009)
Torp Airport Sandefjord (November 2009)
Værnes Airport, Trondheim (November 2009)

(Photo: Andrej203 and G.dallorto)

Amalfi-style Cannelloni à la Crespelle

2009-11-04T08:00:00.004+01:00

I am by no means a master of Italian cuisine. I rather think that any genuine Italian foodie would scream in pain seeing how I mess around with their high quality products. Non-Italians do, however, tend to like my brand of fusion cooking. As the evening I prepared my culinary prelude for two happy ladies on their way to Cinque Terre.

In a program on BBC Food, the British TV-chef Sophie Grigson took two guys to the Amalfi coast, and helped them to recreate that Italian feeling in a party for their friends back in their own home.

Sophie Grigson prepared crespelle, thin pancakes filled with Italian cheese, and Parma ham baked in a rich tomato sauce.

The whole idea seemed so intriguing to me, that I just had to try it myself, back then. As the busy man I am, I bought my pancakes, and used the same ingredients as Sophie Grigson to create the most mouth-wateringly delicacies I have eaten in a long time. I served them, and other appetizers at a National Day reception in my flat.

As my friends Laila and Gerd Ester came to stay the night, my first idea was an encore. But did the store have ready made pancakes (without sugar)?

Nope!

My idea was to use cannelloni tubes as a substitute. It worked great, hence this recipe for Amalfi-style Cannelloni à la Crespelle.

Amalfi-style Cannelloni à la Crespelle (Serves at least two)

Filling
1 jar of ricotta (300 grams / 11 oz), stirred
1 mozzarella di bufala (100 grams / 3,5 oz), mashed
100 grams / 3,5 oz Parmesan cheese, finely grated
100 grams / 3,5 oz Parma ham, thinly sliced, then chopped in very thin morsels
Salt
Pepper

1 package Cannelloni tubes

Sauce
5 anchovies fillets
3 cloves garlic
3-4 tbsp olive oil
1 can Italian pomodorini (small cherry tomatoes)
Mediterranean herbs, dried
Salt, pepper and sugar to balance taste.

Topping

Finely grated parmesan cheese
Mozzarella di bufala, finely sliced

And here is what you do!

Mix ricotta, mashed mozzarella, grated Parmesan and Parma ham thoroughly. Add salt and pepper. Allow to rest in refrigerator.

Add olive oil in a skillet. Add anchovies and garlic. Allow the fillets to dissolve and garlic to get lightly brown. Add pomodorini, herbs, salt, pepper and sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Simmer for 5-10 minutes over low heat. Allow sauce to cool.

Take out cheese mix. Squeeze mix into the cannelloni tubes and place in an oiled, square, oven proof dish. Pour over tomato sauce. Sprinkle sliced mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Bake in moderately hot oven 200C / 400F for 25-30 minutes. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving. Serve with good bread and a good red wine.

Enjoy!

UPDATED NOVEMBER 2009: Oslo - bars with free wireless internet access

2009-11-03T08:00:00.009+01:00

View Wireless networks Oslo in a larger map

For us addicted to our laptop, and in need for free wireless access, it is always nice to know where to sit down and surf for free, or at the price of a meal, a beer, or a cup of coffee. Here is a short list over where I have found, or have been told that there is offered free wireless access in Oslo per November 3rd. This list will be continuously updated. Kindly contact me if any of these restaurants can not offer a free wireless service or if you know other restaurants or bars in Oslo that offers free WLAN.

New in November 2009

Bagel & Juice specialize in fresh and healthy products as bagels, smoothies, juice prepared when you arrive. You can enjoy your food in the café or as take-away.

If you visit the Bagel & Juice at Haakon VII gate in Vika, you will also find that they offer free wireless access as well as good food.

Another place to enjoy a coffee and a free surf is Eger Café in the new trendy Eger shopping centre at Egertorget. You can read more on this new shopping centre here.

(Photo: GeeJo)

More bars and restaurants with free wireless access in Oslo

A

Andrea's Pub*: Schweigaards gate 12 0185 Oslo

NEW: Bagel & Juice: Haakon VII's gate 5,0161 Oslo
Baker Hansen Catering & Kafe: Grenseveien 50, 0579 Oslo
Baker Hansen St. Hanshaugen: Ullevålsveien 45, 0171 Oslo
Bibliotekbaren: Kristian IV's gate 7, 0164 Oslo‎
Burger King****, Majorstuen: Valkyriegata 11, 0366 Oslo
Burger King****, Oslo Central Station: Jernbanetorget 1, 0154 Oslo
Burger King****, Oslo City: Stenersgate 1, 0050 Oslo
Byråkrat: Grensen 10, 0159 Oslo

Café Barbera: Filipstad Brygge 1, 0250 Oslo
Café con Bar: Brugata 11, 0186 Oslo
Café di Roma: Sofienberggt. 6, 0551 Oslo
Café Dus, Akersgata 35,0158 Oslo
Café Fiasco: Schweigaardsgate 4, 0185 Oslo
Café Kaos:Thorvald Meyers gate 56, 0552 Oslo
Café Leru: Granbergstubben 16, 1275 Oslo
Café Lille Asia: Markveien 35B,0554 Oslo
Café Marhaba: Keysersgate 1, 0165 Oslo
Café Mono: Pløens gate 4, 0184 Oslo
Café Opus, Oslo Central Station: Jernbanetorget 1, 0154 Oslo
Café Stenersen, Munkedamsveien 15, Oslo
Carinas Smak til Behag*, **, Monradsgate 1, 0577 Oslo

Den gode cafe: Fredensborgvn. 13, 0177 Oslo
Dolly Dimple's, Majorstuen****: Kirkeveien 64, 0364 Oslo

Edvards Kaffebar: Schous Plass 1, 0552 Oslo
NEW: Eger Café, Karl Johansgate 23, 0159 Oslo
Etoile Bar: Karl Johansgate 31, 0159 Oslo (Grand Hotel)

Foxx: Stortingsgaten 24/26, 0117 Oslo

Gastro Café: Kongens gate 23,0153 Oslo
Godt Brød: Theresesgt. 33, 0308 Oslo

Hannibals Hybel: Stranden 10, 250 Oslo
Hard Rock Cafe**: Karl Johans gate 45, 0162 Oslo
Herr Nilsen*: C.J. Hambros Plass 5, 0164 Oslo

Kafé Bakeri & Delikatesser: Pilestredet Park 5, 0176 Oslo
Kafé Caffé: Parkveien 21, 0350 Oslo
Kafé Mir: Toftesgate 69, 0552 Oslo
Kafé Onkel Donald: Universitetsgata 26, 0162 Oslo
Kaffe Gram, Stockflethsgate 60, 0461 Oslo
Kaffepilen: Pilestredet 15, 0164 Oslo
Kristiania, Oslo Central Station: Jernbanetorget 1, 0154 Oslo

La Baguette, Oslo Central Station: Jernbanetorget 1, 0154 Oslo
Last Train: Karl Johans gate 45, 0162 Oslo
Lyst Kafé og Restaurant: Sørligata 40C, 0577 Oslo

Mabou: Hegdehaugsveien 28, 0352 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Frognerveien 1, 0257 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Grorudveien, 0976 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Grønland 12, 0188 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Jernbanetorget 1, 0154 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Karenslyst allé 9, 0250 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Karl Johansgt 3, 0154 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Klingenberggata 4, 0161 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Lilleakerveien 16, 0283 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Nedre Slottsgate 21, 0157 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Storgata 15, 0155 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Stranden, 0250 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Strømsveien 245, 0688 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Tevlingveien 17, 1081 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Thorvald Meyersgate 55, 0555 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Torgny Segerstedtsvei 11, 0372 Oslo
McDonalds Familierestaurant****: Valkyriegata 13, 0366 Oslo
Ms Innvik: Langkaia, 0150 Oslo‎
M3 Mat & Bar*, ***: Maridalsveien 3, 0178 Oslo
Muddy Waters: Grensen 13, 0159 Oslo

Oslo Mikrobyggeri, Bogstadveien 6, 0355 Oslo

Pan Galleri og Brasseri, St. Olavsgate 7, 1065 Oslo
Peppe's Pizza****: Aker Brygge, Holmensgate 5, 0250 Oslo
Peppe's Pizza****: Frogner, Frognerveien 54, 0266 Oslo
Peppe's Pizza****: Grønland, Tøyengata 2, 0190 Oslo
Peppe's Pizza****: Hegdehaugsveien, Hegdehaugsvn. 31, 0352 Oslo
Peppe's Pizza****: Karl Johans gt, 0154 Oslo
Peppe's Pizza****: Løren, Lørenveien 42, 0580 Oslo
Peppe's Pizza****: Nydalen, Nydalsveien 36, 0483 Oslo
Peppe's Pizza****: Oslo Central Station: Jernbanetorget 1, 0154 Oslo
Peppe's Pizza****: Sinsen; Konghellegaten 3, 0569 Oslo
Peppe's Pizza****: Skøyen, Karenslyst Allé 18, 0278 Oslo
Peppe's Pizza****: Solli plass, Drammensveien 40, 0255 Oslo
Peppe's Pizza****: Stortingsgt, 0158 Oslo

Qba: Olaf Ryes pl. 4, 0552 Oslo

Ruinen Bar & Café: St. Halvards gate 2, 0192 Oslo‎
Ryes**, Thorvald Meyers gate 59,0552 Oslo

Sagene lunsjbar: Maridalsveien 153, 0461 Oslo
Sangam Café: Thorvald Meyers gate 70, 0552 Oslo
Scotsman, Sportspub: Karl Johansgate 17, 0159 Oslo
Scuba Bar: Thorvald Meyers gate 89, 0550 Oslo
Sidesporet, Oslo Central Station: Jernbanetorget 1, 0154 Oslo
Skuret Bar og Scene*: Christian Kroghs gate 2, Oslo
Sound of Mu: Markveien 58, Oslo
Stopp Pressen: Akersgt. 55, 0180 Oslo
Südøst: Trondheimsveien 5, 0552 Oslo

T.G.I. Friday's: Karl Johan 35, 0162 Oslo
T.G.I. Friday's: Stranden 39, 0250 Oslo

Venner Restaurant & Bar: Smalgangen 31, 0188 Oslo
Vinterhaven: Kristian IV's gate 7, 0164 Oslo‎

Wayne's Coffee: Essendropsgt. 9, 0368 Oslo
Wayne's Coffee: Henrik Ibsensgt. 90, 0255 Oslo
Wayne's Coffee: Haakon VIIs gt. 10, 0161 Oslo
Wayne's Coffee: Lille Stranden 40, 0252 Oslo

Z Clubs Café & Restaurant: Karl Johans gate 33, 0162 Oslo

* Password available from staff
** Plugs for computers available
*** Network in place, but out of order when visited
**** Nationwide chain

Italy - culinary memories

2009-11-02T07:00:00.002+01:00

Less is more in Italian cuisine. These gnocchi de quattro formaggi is a good example. Boiled potato, eggs and flour dumplings served in a sauce with four cheeses. My friend John is a gnocchi fan, and these were enjoyed at Navona Notte in Via del Teatro Pace in Rome. Here are a few other culinary memories from their visit in Roma and Amalfi.

Melanzane alla parmigiana

Eggplant parmigian is a great dish. Thinly sliced aubergine, layered with tomato sauce and cheese.

Melanzane alla parmigiana does not come from Parma, but probably from Sicily, that introduced aubergines to the Italian cuisine.

This is a dish that is easy to make, but it is time consuming, as you have to slice the eggplant, flour them and fry them lightly in olive oil before you assemble the dish.

Wanna try it? You'll find a recipe on Divine Eggplant here

Frito Misto

A frito misto is made from different ingredients, turned in flour or batter and then deep fried in hot olive oil.

A wide range of ingredients may be used in a plate of frito misto. Meats, fish and even sage leaves and slices of mozzarella cheese may end up in the sizzling oil.

This plate frito misto of seafood was actually the best one John and Øystein had during their Italian vacation. It was served at "Pizzeria Da Maria" in Amalfi.

Spanish fried bait - see story here

Insalate Caprese

This traditional salad originates from Campania, the region in which Amalfi is located. Its name means salad from Capri. It consists of sliced mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil leaves drizzled with olive oil.

Making this dish at home, you are recommended to use only the best ingredients. Try to find sun ripened fresh Mediterranean tomatoes, high quality Buffalo milk mozzarella, and extra virgin olive oil. Without them the salad may end up bland and boring.

My ultimate Insalata Caprese moment took place in the ancient Tuscan city of Lucca 10 years ago. The pungent aromas of the fresh, thinly sliced, deliciously sweet Italian plum tomatoes, the rich and soft mozzarella, and fresh basil made me nearly cry.

No wonder why non-Italians use so many ingredients in our home-made Italian food - to get more flavour! With high grade ingredients you are taught the fact that in genuine Italian food less is more - than enough!

John’s insalata Caprese was ordered at Rome airport. I do not know whether he had one of these Lucca moments there. He did not say, but I’ll ask him.

Bufala mozzarella and other delicious cheeses - see story here

Vin Santo and biscotti

And then to the sweet end of the culinary journey. The title of this picture is RomeAirportComplementaryDrinkWithCookie. That explains it all, doesn't it?

You often get a small surprise after a good meal, a cookie or rather biscotti, a sweet crisp delicacy with almonds, and what I think is a classic Vin Santo.

These sweet wines originates from Tuscany, and are not unlike a French Sauternes or an Hungarian Tokaji, and is served with desserts, blue cheese, or even foie gras.

I love the crispy almond cookies. They are very sweet, even compared to the vin santo. I had my first taste in Siena in the year 2000 and I loved it so much, that I brought two packets home with me. They are a perfect end to a good meal, served with ice cream or just by themselves.

Vin Santo and Versinthe - see story here

How to make this food yourself - see films on YouTube:

Cheap stay at Thon Hotell Bergen Brygge

2009-11-01T08:00:00.003+01:00

If looking for budget as well as a bargain, Thon Hotell Bergen is definitely not the place for you. In spite of the low price and a great location, it had a more than a few cheap features. Pay a little extra and enjoy more comfort elsewhere.

Location: BBBBB-

Thon Hotel Bergen Brygge has a brilliant location, with Bergenhus Fortress as nearest neighbour and the historic Bryggen and Mariakirken (Church of St Mary) within a few minute walk away. It easily reached if you take the Airport express bus. Take it to the last stop at Radisson SAS Hotell Bryggen. Thon Hotel Bergen Brygge is located a few minutes walk away.

Service: BBB

Staff at the reception made a mixed impression. I was given a rather impersonal or uninterested greeting on arrival, and had to wait for a long time to check in. The staff present during day was slightly kinder. The service delivered in the breakfast room was in no way satisfactory. Dishes were either removed before you had finished, or was partly left on the tables when people had left.

Rom: BBBB-

Both room and bathroom were tiny. There were very little space for much more than a bed, a desk and a small chair. TV on an adjustable arm, with 5 channels. Little storage space, just one shelf and one rack with hangers.

Very little space in bathroom. Toilet squeezed in between sink and wall. Small shower on the floor with a outdated curtain.

Interior can be described as moderately designer style with neutral light brown and gray shades on walls and ceiling, gray carpet. Tiled bathroom with wooden trims and ceiling. One lipstick red wooden chair and one chrome chair with textile seat.

Good hygiene, very little dust on surfaces.

The room had moderate needs of maintenance. Yellow spots on walls, cracked tiles on bathroom, and bathroom ceiling slightly damaged by damp.

Bed was very good to sleep in and there were two small halogen lamps providing good light for reading.

No wireless access on the room. You had to pay a card valid for 4 hours from first access in the reception at the cost of 10 NOK (1,20 EUR). Offering a service at such a low price, the hotel should either consider including this extra (and often much needed service) in the price of the room, or (even better) be offered free to the guests.

Be aware that rooms at the 1st floor (I stayed in room 259), you are within the reach of the free wireless zone on the ground floor and may surf as much as you want. Choose the network Belkin54, instead of Telenor and just log on.

Breakfast (Not included NOK 69 / EUR 8,15): BBBBB

The breakfast was not included in the price, but was relatively cheap compared to many other hotels I have stayed in.

A good sized breakfast buffet, with hot and cold food to any taste. A large selection of all kind of breads. Hot food as; scrambled eggs, meatballs, cocktail sausages, no bacon! Cheese, cold cuts, mayonnaise based salads, patés, and herring. Health nuts could choose from cereals, yogurts, and fresh fruit.

Cold apple, orange juice and milk from dispensers. Tea, coffee, regular or espresso, cappuccino, from coffee machines easy to operate.

Facilities: BBB-

Thon Hotel Bergen Brygge is certainly not the hotel for those of you that expects in house facilities.

Entertainment: BBB
You can may buy wine or beer in the restaurant. In house restaurant serving breakfast only.
Exercise: N/A (Meaning none)
Well being: BBBB-
Cozy seating by a fire place by the reception. Extra PC by reception, well functioning wireless access in reception area, in rooms for an extra charge. Good ventilation in the rooms.
Hygiene and maintenance: BBB
Good hygiene, but the hotel seems a little run down. The lifts were clearly not in good working order on arrival, as the receptionist had to restart them several times. I was locked in the lift in the 9th floor, but the lift started quickly after I had sounded the alarm.

Price: BBBB

The price of the hotel room was NOK 745 per night (88,6 EUR). Breakfast (NOK 69 / EUR 8,20) not included. Not a high price for a room. If you look around, however, I bet I could beat this price at a better hotel, and maybe get breakfast included in the price.

Rating the Thon Hotel Bergen Brygge experience: BBBB+ (3,57 points)

A budget hotel at the lower end of the scale, budget as in feeling a little cheap, as well as inexpensive. Great location. Good breakfast you have to pay extra for. Low in inhouse facilities.

Address:
Thon Hotel Bergen Brygge
Bradbenken 3
5003 Bergen
Tlf: +47 55 30 87 00
Faks: +47 55 32 94 14
Hotel website

Few non-stop flights to Santa Claus

2009-10-31T08:00:00.002+01:00

Vis NEW: International non-stop flights from Tromsø Airport Langnes - status November 2009 i et større kart

Santa Claus is said to live close to the North Pole, but no exact location has been given. Rovaniemi in Finland has managed to attract most of those looking for the generous Father Christmas, but if you want to find Santa in Norway, you can start your quest in Tromsø, Paris of the north.

Tromsø is the largest city in the northern part of Norway, and is, with its 65 000 inhabitants the major commercial and administrative centre in northern Norway, and a vibrant university city, housing one of the major national campuses.

Northern Norway has, in my opinion, not fully discovered and accepted its potential as a major tourist destination, and have sadly missed out on the Santa Claus traffic to our neighbours - the Finns.

For those of you looking for new explorations, the Norwegian polar region has many assets, being a large, scarcely populated wilderness bathing in light from the midnight sun in the summer, and clouded in eternal night during winter.

Northern Norway can also offer a good infrastructure with several major airports close to the larger and smaller centres in Finnmark and Troms county.

In order to travel non-stop to Northern Norway to find Santa Claus, you may try to find a seat on a chartered flight from Europe, if you want to visit Tromsø and its surrounding area.

If looking for regular direct international non-stop flights to the Paris of the North from where you live, you will , most probably, be looking in vain. Two out of three direct flights to Tromsø are operated by Aeroflot to destinations in Russia, to Arkhangelsk and Murmansk, two equally exotic cities off the beaten tracks.

There is one weekly non-stop connection to western Europe only, to London Gatwick, operated by Norwegian Air Shuttle. This means that you most likely will have to travel to one of the larger Norwegian airports and catch a domestic flight to look for Santa and his reindeer. Preferably Oslo Airport, Norway's main hub.

But if changing from international to domestic flights, be prepared to have to take your luggage through customs, and then check it in again. This even apply if your bags have been checked in to your final destination in Norway. Then you have to wait for a new corresponding flight that will take more than two hours to reach the land beyond the polar circle.

More stories from beyond the Polar Circle on Enjoy Food & Travel

More non-stop flights from Norway to the continent

Bergen Airport Flesland (November 2009)
NEW: Haugesund Airport, Karmøy (November 2009)
Kjevik Airport (November 2009)
Oslo Airport (November 2009)
Rygge airport, Moss (November 2009)
Stavanger Airport, Sola (November 2009)
Torp Airport Sandefjord (November 2009)
Værnes Airport, Trondheim (November 2009)

Finnegården anno 1702

2009-10-30T08:00:00.006+01:00

Finnegården in Bergen was built after the devastating fire in 1702, that left 90% of the city in ruins. This beautiful building house the Hanseatic Museum, showing the legacy of the powerful German merchants league that ruled the city from 1360 until it closed in 1754.

It is maybe the most original of all houses at the UNESCO Heritage site, but it is isolated from the row of wooden houses it once belonged to. Between the old Bryggen and Finnegården you will see a row of newer, and much larger stone buildings - called "nye Bryggen", buildings from the turn of last century. They have the same appearance, with gables facing Vågen, but Finnegården is completely dwarfed by the newcomers.

If it had been up to the city planners, there would have been a another large building as the once seen at Nye Bryggen replacing Finnegården, but this beautiful wooden merchant building was saved from demolition by Christian Koren Wiberg (1870-1945), the first director of the Hanseatic Museum. This museum is made up by furniture and artifacts collected from the different houses at Bryggen.

As the museum grew, more room was needed and an extension designed by Conrad Fredrik von der Lippe was built. He is also the creator of the neighbouring building Kjøttbasaren, or the meat hall.

Standing by Vågen in Bergen, you sense the age of this beautiful city. In my opinion, Bergen is the only truly medieval city remaining in Norway. Apart from the old churches and other remains, most of the present buildings have been built the last third centuries. The old age itself is felt through the building traditions and the ancient street pattern that criss-cross the old city centre hand has been preserved through all the fires that have ravaged the city.

More from Bergen

See map of Bergen and surroundings 2007-2009 here

More UNESCO World Heritage sites

The UNESCO World Heritage sites in Norway

Heritage Tourism on Susi's Blog

Lyon through 2000 years

Ida Davidsen - Copenhagen

2009-10-29T08:00:00.012+01:00

Few restaurants in Copenhagen have such a reputation as Ida Davidsen. Here her grandfather offered open sandwiches to his customers over a century ago and Ida has turned this small basement tavern into a legendary culinary heaven.

Location: BBBB+

Ida Davidsen is located in Store Kongens Gade, close to Kongens Nytorv and Nyhavn. Very easy to find, but hardly the most romantic or scenic location.

Service: BBBBB-

At Ida Davidsen you order what you will drink by the table and then you have to wait by the counter to be served.

Here you may ask all you want and as the clientèle is international you are given the same instructions in English. And you may need it as there are 150+ sandwiches on the menu.

This time Ida Davidsen, in person, served our sandwiches, with her white uniform including a tall cook's hat. If that isn't personalized service, ask me what is.

Atmosphere and interior: BBBB+

It is very difficult to rate Ida Davidsen in any traditional context. This is a restaurant that has been in business for over 100 years. The interior is hardly creative or inventive but should not be rated as such.

The presentation at the table is neither elegant nor chic, but the whole atmosphere here is wonderfully informal. The minus here is therefore for those of you that may not like it.

Ida Davidsen is very Danish, very dark and filled up to capacity, as tables here are in great demand.

This time, however, we were seated by the table of another couple, and the closeness made us fell rather uncomfortable.

All in all, the restaurant felt more cramped this time, compared to the other times I have been there. If that is due to us sharing table or whether it was something else, I do not know.

Food: BBBB

As this was the third time, I decided to try some of the other sandwiches offered on the extensive menu. Choosing food based on how it looked, is the only option when standing in front of the large selection on display.

This time I chose less traditional sandwiches. Let me emphasize that they were in a completely other league than most sandwiches served elsewhere in the Danish capital, but compared with the more traditional bites I have enjoyed at Ida Davidsen, they did not match them neither in presentation nor taste.

Sandwich with raw salmon roulade and Japanese wasabi: BBBB+

This must be Ida's sushi sandwich, using raw ingredients - thin slices of raw salmon crayfish tales and trout roe, combined with the quintessential wasabi well known to those in love with these bite sized delicacies.

The thin slices of salmon was made into a roulade with the wasabi in the middle. Beautiful presentation.

Wasabi, can, if used in its original form be very overpowering. Here it was diluted until it being a loud cry away from the pungent original.

Deliciously tender, thinly sliced raw salmon, creamy wasabi, the large, coral coloured trout eggs popped in the mouth. Personally I found the taste slightly disappointing, and I wonder whether the tastes were too subtle to me, and whether I would dare to recommend Ida add more seasoning in order to lift the tastes.

Sandwich with calf's liver, onions, and mushrooms: BBBB

Another large sandwich. So large, in fact, that the topping completely covered the slice of bread underneath.

Large succulent slices of calf's liver, garnished with fried mushrooms, bacon on rye bread.

Calf's liver was perfectly prepared, slightly pink succulent and very tender. Crispy bacon, and creamy fried mushrooms.

Good taste of liver, but Ida could have lifted the taste even by adding a little more salt and pepper.

Beverage: BBBBB-

And what to drink to all these delicious sandwiches. You could ofcourse choose red or white wine to what sandwich you choose, but if you want to follow Danish custom, there is actually no alternative to a pint of beer and a Danish aquavit.

I chose a traditional Danish lager, fresh and sparkling, that both follow fish and meat. I asked Ida to surprise me on the akvavit and she served an interesting variety made by the famous Aalborg distillery.

A great choice, as I might have had a difficult choice in wine to two such different sandwiches.

Rating the Ida Davidsen experience: BBBB+ (4,50 points)

Still a recommendable place to enjoy the traditional Danish specialty. A little low on taste this time, but the open sandwiches served are still a feast for your eyes, and you get topping in abundance.

Address:
Restaurant Ida Davidsen
Store Kongensgade 70, 1254 København K
Phone: 33 91 36 55
http://www.idadavidsen.dk/index.php?page=8

More on Ida Davidsen?

See earlier story: Lunch with Queen Ida!

More on open sandwiches

Open sandwiches - a Scandinavian Food story

A New Year Brunch

New direct flights Trondheim - Gran Canaria

2009-10-28T08:00:00.008+01:00

Norwegian Air Shuttle is extending its non-stop flights, offering citizens of Trondheim new weekly flight from the far north to the subtropical beaches of Gran Canaria, Spain, starting October 31st.

The flight leaves Trondheim every Saturday at 10.00 AM, arriving Gran Canaria Airport 3.00 PM. The return leaves 3.50 PM, arriving in Trondheim 10.50 PM.

Prices will vary from around 1200 NOK to 3000 NOK, with a total cost of a return ticket from 3000 - 4000 NOK per person, included state taxes and fees. Norwegian Air Shuttle may charge extra for luggage, seat reservations etc.

More on what Gran Canaria has to offer

See story Gran Canaria from A-Z

More on what Trondheim has to offer:

See story and map of Trondheim, Norway on Enjoy Food & Travel

More non-stop flights from Norwegian Airports to Europe and beyond

Vis International non-stop flights from Trondheim Airport Værnes - status November 2009 i et større kart

On special maps you find non-stop flights operating from Europe to the largest Norwegian airports.

On these maps you will find markers that display status on different non-stop flights to Norway. A red marker means that flights is seasonal and not in operation or that an earlier non-stop flight has been canceled. A green marker shows that there is a new non-stop flight planned to this destination. A yellow marker means that there a seasonal flight still operating to this airport. An airplane button means that service is in operation all year around from one or several European destination to this specific airport.

Bergen Airport Flesland (November 2009)
Kjevik Airport (November 2009)
Oslo Airport (November 2009)
Rygge airport, Moss (November 2009)
Stavanger Airport, Sola (November 2009)
Torp Airport Sandefjord (November 2009)
Værnes Airport, Trondheim (November 2009)

(Photo: Grobuonis, and Elisabeth B. Thomsen)

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009 - hotels from A-Z

2009-10-27T08:00:00.006+01:00

To make it easier for you, I have compiled all the hotels on Enjoy Food & Travel for the year 2009 on this page. Enjoy!

COMING UP:

- Conrad Brussels*****, Brussels (BE) (November 2009)
- Armada Hotel****, Istanbul (TU) (December 2009)

Highly Recommendable BBBBB: (5,00 - 4,51 points)

1. SAS Radisson Hotel Scandinavia, Göteborg (SE): BBBBB- (4,69 points)

Highly recommended by Enjoy Food & Travel. A professional run business class hotel to a economy class price. A bargain in Göteborg.

Good BBBB: (4,50 - 3,51 points)

3. Santa Maria Hotel, Sitges (ES): BBBB+ (4,38 points)

Santa Maria is still a great bargain in Sitges. The lower score compared to the last one, is due to stricter and improved evaluation in the Bargain rating system. This to emphasize that our stay this year was as good as last year. The Enjoy Food & Travel team will certainly return here again.

4. Stora Brännbo, Sigtuna (SE) (4,36 points)
Stora Brännbo is a professionally run hotel in a scenic setting. Both the tranquility of small town Sweden, as well as the Stockholm metropolitan area is within reach. Good overall standard, excellent service, and a buffet breakfast to die for.

5. Hotel Acta Millenni Hotel, Barcelona (ES): BBBB+ (4,35 points)
The best stay I've had in Barcelona until now. Would particularly thank the very nice reception staff. Would have been a great plus to have breakfast included in the price, and an air conditioning in working order.

6. Hotel Cathédrale, Strasbourg (FR): BBBB+ (4,34 points)
Hôtel Cathédrale is good choice when staying in Strasbourg. It has character, charm, and an unbeatable location. A little low on indoor facilities, some needs of maintenance and certainly not suited for elderly or disabled.

7. Economy Class, M/F Crown of Scandinavia: (DK) BBBB (4,29 points)
Traveling budget in Japanese style. Tiny, but well organized room, at a low price. Good bargain for money.

8. Radisson SAS Hotel Oslo Airport, Oslo (NO): BBBB+ - 4,28 points

An excellent choice for those that want to catch an early plane. Very professionally run hotel comfortably located by the Oslo Airport terminal.

9. Park Inn Arendal (NO): BBBB (4,19 points)
Another good Park Inn hotel, providing good value for money on the south eastern coast of Norway. Recommended by Enjoy Food & Travel.

10. Commodore Class, M/F Pearl of Scandinavia (DK): BBBB (3,79 points)
Traveling in a Commodore class cabin is a very expensive experience, and by no means a bargain. This sum could have been better spent on two flight tickets to a European destination.

11. Thon Hotel Bergen Brygge, Bergen (NO): BBBB- (3,57 points)
A budget hotel at the lower end of the scale, budget as in feeling a little cheap, as well as inexpensive. Great location. Good breakfast you have to pay extra for. Low in inhouse facilities.

Room for improvements BBB: (3,50 - 2,51 points)

12. Apartementos Las Gacelas, Playa Del Ingles (ES): BBB+ (3,4 points)

The Las Gacelas Apartments is a cheap accommodation at Playa Del Ingles in more than one sense of the word. I would hesitate to recommend it any other than to those who are looking for a inexpensive place to stay and do not care about comfort.

Bad BB: (2,50 - 1,51 points)

Waste of time and money B: (1,50 - 1,00 points)

Coming up in October - Thon Hotell Bergen Brygge

2009-10-26T08:00:00.010+01:00

I am traveling to Bergen to attend a conference this month. I have booked a room at Thon Hotell Bergen Brygge, located in the heart of old Bergen.

It is located at Bradbenken, by Bryggen, the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, and the old Medieval Bergenhus Fortress.

Thon Hotel Bergen Brygge is described as a Budget Hotel, a low price hotel, serving a breakfast buffet (not included) with a selection of cold and warm meals, fresh fruit. The hotel has no restaurant, but you may buy beer, wine, and snacks in the local bar.

The hotel offers a service station with PC, printer and internett, and a free wireless connection on all rooms. The rooms has no mini bar or hotel cinema.

I booked over the www.hrs.de, and got a room at NOK 745 or 89 Euros. Enjoy Food & Travel will evaluate the Thon Hotel Bergen Brygge experience and see whether you get bargain as well as budget for money or whether it is only budget.

See the hotel website here

More Bergen hotels

More hotels

Enjoy from A-Z: Rated Hotels 2006-2009

More on Bergen

See map of sights, restaurants and hotels in Bergen, Norway.

View Bergen and Surrounding areas 2007-2009 in a larger map

Église Saint-Nizier - Lyon

2009-10-25T08:00:00.002+01:00

Église Saint-Nizier is one of the major church buildings in Lyon. This impressive late 15th century building is located in the heart of the old merchant quarter. The church represented the burghers principal authority in contrast to the religious canons of Saint John Cathedral on the other side of the river Saône. Église Saint-Nizier was the location on which elections of consuls and oldermen were proclaimed.

It has been places of religious veneration on this location for 2000 years. The first was probably a Roman Temple dedicated to Attis, a deity originating from Anatolia, venerated throughout the Roman Empire. From the 5th to the 13th century there were several churches buildings on the site, the latest burnt down in 1253.

One famous member of the congregation in this late period was Peter Waldo, (c. 1140 – c. 1218), the founder of the Waldensians, a Christian spiritual movement of the Middle Ages, descendants of which still exist in various regions.

Église Saint-Nizier was rebuilt as late as the 15th century in a flamboyant Gothic style and in the late 16th century got the addition of a marvellous central portal with its Renaissance coffered open vault decorated with angel heads.

Finally in 1855, the architect Benoit the central tower and the spire of the southern bell tower. Among the treasures to be seen inside, see the clock perched in the middle of the vault.

(Photo facade: Groumfy69)

More sights of Lyon

See this map of sights, restaurants, hotels and bars of Lyon

Vis Enjoy Food & Travel in Lyon, May 2008 i et større kart

Alsatian snacks

2009-10-24T08:00:00.008+02:00

On and off you are highly surprised when the food you have booked arrives at the table. As I was, when ordering a sandwich at Le Roi et son Fou, a small bistro located at 37, Rue du Vieil Hôpital, just a stone's throw away from Strasbourg Cathedral. Here a sandwich is served the way you make it at home....

You wander around at you destination, and suddenly you feel the urge for a small snack, nothing filling, rather enough to keep you going until a lunch or even a dinner.

I sat down at Le Roi et son Fou (The King and his Jester), a small bistro, looked over the menu and found just what I wanted - a sandwich with jambon or ham. I ordered it (and a glass of red wine), under the impression that it would be a traditional sandwich, i.e. a thick slice of ham, maybe a little mayonnaise and a cornichons, squeezed in between two soft slices of fine white bread.

Surprise, surprise! I was served three slices of plain, whole grain bread, with a thick slice of boiled ham, a few salad leaves, and a hard boiled egg. Just like the sandwiches you care to make in you own kitchen. Unexpected, but good in all its simplicity. And the red wine was good.

Address:

Le Roi et son Fou
37, Rue du Vieil Hôpital
F-67000 Strasbourg
+33 3 88 23 22 22

Quiche with goat's cheese at Place Gayot

Alsace is widely known for its pies or quiche. The neigbouring province, Lorraine, has even one named after it. At place Gayot we found Restaurant La Table du Gayot, a small tavern and bar, and we decided to order to try one type of this Alsatian specialty.

We looked through the small lunch menu, and decided to try a quiche with goat's cheese, a nice surprise.

It had that agreeable taste released by these cheeses, some like them, others do not. A delicious creamy consistency, often difficult to achieve, and the price? Equally agreeable. The quiche served at Restaurant La Table du Gayot that day was a great bargain at lunch.

Address:
Restaurant La Table du Gayot
8 Place du Marché Gayot,
67000 Strasbourg
Phone: 03 88 36 30 27

More restaurants, sights and hotels in Strasbourg

View Enjoy Food & Travel in Strasbourg 2008-2009 in a larger map

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009: Travel stories from A-Z

2009-10-23T08:00:00.008+02:00

To make it easier for you, I have compiled all the travel stories on Enjoy Food & Travel for the year 2009 on this page. Enjoy!

A

A Bus4You? Absolutely! (April 12th 2009)
A living memory from Gran Canaria (April 4th 2009)
A Passage to Cinque Terre (August 6th 2009)
Air Baltic - fly free if flight is delayed (September 4th 2009)
Aqaba: Exotic and friendly! (January 28th 2009)

Beware - airports off the beaten track (February 4th 2009)

Check different airlines - get cheaper fare! (September 6th 2009)
Check in at Oslo Central station offered from August 2009 (June 3rd 2009)
Cimber Air open new non-stop flight Oslo Ålborg (September 5th 2009)
Comfort on road to compete with domestic air travel ( February 21st 2009)
Comfortable transatlantic crossing (August 28th 2009)
Coming in February - Gran Canaria (January 12th 2009)
Coming up: Castellammare del Golfo and Palermo (April 23rd 2009)
Coming up: Copenhagen spring 2009 (April 26th 2009)
Coming up on Enjoy Food & Travel - Fall 2009 (August 17th 2009)

Eat you heart out, Michael O'Leary (July 3rd 2009)
Enjoy Food & Travel heading south (February 17th 2009)

Favourable transatlantic air fare available fall 2009 (August 21st 2009)
Feel Air - a new long haul airline with a fresh breath (October 9th 2009)
Ferry services operating from Europe to Norway 2009 (August 20th 2009)
Financial massacre at sea (January 19th 2009)
15 Airports off the beaten tracks (September 21st 2009)
5 Scandinavian airlines among Europe's 9 most punctual (August 7th 2009)
Five star airline – five star price? (March 13th 2009)
Fjord Line back with service Kristiansand - Hirtshals spring 2010 September 26th 2009)
Fly even further with Norwegian Air Shuttle from 2010 (October 16th 2009)
Flying Icelandair Fall 2009 (October 12th 2009)

Gran Canaria - a botanical mystery solved (March 16th 2009)

Important news if traveling to the US (September 20th 2009)
Impressions of Italy - the Amalfi Coast (October 20th 2009)
International non-stop flights from Norwegian Airports - status August 2009 (August 15th 2009)

Last supper for British Airways? (July 31st 2009)
Lord of the fees says: Stay during flights and travel free! (July 10th 2009)

More flights Oslo - Milan (November 5th 2009)
More stories on Enjoy Food & Travel - Fall 2009 (September 29th 2009)
My experiences with hotel booking sites (August 23rd 2009)

New direct flights Trondheim - Gran Canaria (October 28th 2009)
New international non-stop flights to Oslo (May 2nd 2009)
New non-stop flight Oslo - Arbil, Iraq (September 13th 2009)
New non-stop flight from Oslo to Bangkok (April 22nd 2009)
Non-stop flights Oslo - Olbia this summer (May 15th 2009)
New non-stop flight Stavanger - Salzburg January 2009 (August 31st 2009)
Norwegian Air Shuttle ends most seasonal flights from Norway October 2009 (October 22nd 2009)
Norwegian Air Shuttle squeezed out of the Russian market (May 27th 2009)
Norwegian Meeting and Travel Fair 2009 (January 9th 2009)

Recession hits SAS transatlantic flights hard (April 21st 2009)
Ryanair: Higher luggage fees from October (September 25th 2009)
Ryanair establish second Norwegian hub at Rygge Airport (August 11th 2009)
Ryanairs O'Leary asks travelers to hold water during flights (June 10th 2009)

SATA introduce non-stop flight Oslo to Azores 2010 (October 5th 2009)
Sigtuna - the city by the water (September 28th 2009)
Sky Team Alliance deal makes Schiphol major hub for Norwegian travelers to the US (June 2nd 2009)
Some travel stories - spring 2009 (March 18th 2009)
Strasbourg - getting there (May 28th 2009)
Successful pre flight booking for Air Berlin for new service Oslo Berlin (March 17th 2009)
Sunrise over the Atlantic (September 30th 2009)

The best airport and airliner review sites (March 28th 2009)
The 2009 season is here (April 8th 2009)
36 hours in Oslo with New York Times (September 14th 2009)
Traveling with fluid medication (February 16th 2009)
Two new non-stop flights from Haugesund Airport (May 7th 2009)

UPDATED AUGUST 2009: Europe's most punctual airlines - scoreboard (October 1st, 2009)

Norwegian Air Shuttle ends most seasonal flights from Norway October 2009

2009-10-22T08:00:00.005+02:00

Norwegian will end most of their seasonal non-stop flights from Norwegian airports during October 2009.

This means that a majority of non-stop flights from larger Norwegian airports end, and travelers from Bergen, Stavanger, and Trondheim will have to travel to Oslo Airport in order to get connecting flights to destinations in Europe and beyond.

US Airways will have its last non-stop flights from Oslo to Philadelphia in October, leaving Continental as the only air carrier with direct flights from Norway to the US.

Direct flights from Bergen - updated November 2009

Vis International non-stop flights from Bergen Airport Flesland - status November 2009 i et større kart

On this map you will find markers that display status on different non-stop flights from Bergen Airport to destinations in Europe. A red marker means that flights is seasonal and not in operation or that an earlier non-stop flight has been canceled. A green marker shows that there is a new non-stop flight planned to this destination. A yellow marker means that there a seasonal flight still operating to this airport. An airplane button means that service is in operation all year around from one or several European destination to this airport.

More non-stop flight maps.

Kjevik Airport (November 2009)
Oslo Airport Gardermoen (November 2009)
Rygge airport, Moss (November 2009)
Torp Airport Sandefjord (November 2009)
Værnes Airport, Trondheim (November 2009)

Restaurante La Lonja - Puerto Mogan

2009-10-21T08:00:00.007+02:00

The Canary Island is an excellent winter destination, but it is hard to find restaurants serving good food. At the picturesque Puerto Mogan, we enjoyed one of our best meals while being on the island. Restaurant La Lonja had great food and a location to die for.

Location: BBBBB

Restaurant La Lonja is located in the centre of the beautiful Puerto Mogan. It is located an hours journey west of Playa del Ingles. It is easy to get to this destination as there are good bus connections to nearby Puerto Rico, Arreguineguin, Playa Del Ingles and beyond.

The restaurant is located in a small house in the local style, by the small, beautiful harbour. It is difficult to find a more beautiful spot for a restaurant on these islands.

Service: BBBB+

Good service. You could choose your food from a menu translated to English and other major languages. You did not have to wait long to get your food.

Interior & Atmosphere: BBBB

We were seated outside. Restaurant La Lonja had a traditional interior. We were seated under fishermen's net, copper lanterns and other maritime objects.

We were comfortably seated around a small table set for two. There were many tables squeezed in on a small space. As the restaurant was packed with people we felt less comfortable during our meal.

Food: BBBBB-

The restaurant is specializing in local Canarian cuisine and seafood and can offer a wide variety of fish, shellfish, meat, salads, and paellas.

We ordered swordfish steaks, a delicate fish with a white, firm meat. I ordered my steak with asparagus sauce.

I was pleasantly surprised by the meal. The large slice of swordfish was served with a creamy sauce with whole white asparagus, oven baked potatoes AND rice and vegetables.

It was well presented on a wide white plate with room for all the ingredients.

The fish was well prepared, firm and not over cooked, potatoes , asparagus, and rice cooked to perfection. Other vegetables slightly over cooked. Perfect creamy sauce.

Very good balanced tastes throughout the whole dish. All was well seasoned food. The sword fish was probably one of the highlights of our visit to the Canary Islands, one out of very few highlights.

Drink: BBBB

We ordered a bottle of Vina Sol, very good for this dish, with its, fresh, fruity aromas. Smooth, rich and crisp on the palate, with plenty an abundance of apple and pineapple aromas and a touch of fennel.

Rating La Lonja experience: BBBB+ (4,39 points)

One of the best meal during our week on the Canary Island. Great location, but the terrace was overcrowded.

Great, tasty seafood meal accompanied by delicious cold white wine.

Address:
Restaurante La Lonja
Playa de Mogán
ES- 35139 Puerto de Mogán
Phone: 928 56 54 76
Web presentation with images here

Impressions of Italy - the Amalfi Coast

2009-10-20T08:00:00.002+02:00

I got a mail from two friends, John Wroughton and Øystein Rian, with impressions from an out of season journey to Rome and the Amalfi Coast. Here is a short account on what they did.

To get to Amalfi, Øystein and John took the train from Rome to Salerno (about 2.5 hours) . From Salerno to Amalfi the local SITA bus service took about an hour.

They had booked L'Antico Convitto, their Amalfi hotel, at www.venere.com. The site describes the hotel as:

"The hotel L'Antico Convitto is located in the old quarter of Amalfi, a few steps away from the cathedral and from the sea. It is close to the city center, and yet offers a very quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

The property is very confortable and welcoming: the building has an elevator and its entrance is on the principal road, via dei Curiali."

Guests booking the same hotel over the website, has given it a very good rating after their stay (9,4 points out of 10!)

At L'Antico Convitto - Øystein and John experienced every travelers dream, being upgraded to "Junior Suite" at no extra cost (i.e. €100 per night) - probably due to it being low season.

During peak season, upgrading like this may be out of the question. Their experience shows the advantage traveling out of season.

Their hotel in Amalfi, was VERY nice for the price: great view from their "Junior Suite" (recommended), good coffee and breakfast, beautiful rooms, very nice staff, and a great location in Amalfi.

They would certainly consider staying at L'Antico Convitto again and found the period of travel, i.e. late September / early October, ideal this year.

Going to famous tourist locations as Amalfi and Cinque Terre in October you can get bargains you else would have had to pay much for, at a fraction of the price. And the weather may be as good as during peak season.

They certainly experienced that the weather was great. We (my friend Terje and I as well as Øystein and John) were staying at the same hotel in Sitges this June, and they found the Amalfi weather in October at least as good as what we all experienced back then. You may, however risk the opposite, during a travel during fall.

They stayed 5 days in Amalfi with day excursions to Capri, Positano, and Ravello. They found Positano disappointing (aside from the picturesque setting) - a "Disneyland for the rich traveler" with too many shops and lacking in local culture.

Amalfi, which historically preceded Pisa, Genoa and Venice in importance is a very fascinating world heritage sight town with plenty of local restaurants and local culture and swimming possibilities.

They accidentally bought tickets for the "deluxe" boat ferry from Amalfi to Capri. It included an amazing tour of the rocky cliffs, caves, and rocky islands (one of which has a huge archway that their boat went through) as they approached Capri on the Marina Piccola side (the most beautiful side of Capri).

They also visited Ravello - well worth getting to know.

More Amalfi stories:

Ghosts of Enrico Ibsen

More out of season stories

Ten good ways to get cheap airfare - for just for you!

A Passage to Cinque Terre

(All photos: John Wroughton)

New England A-Z

2009-10-19T08:00:00.010+02:00

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I visited New England September 17th to September 29th 2009. This was my 28th trip to Northern New England since 1988. I stayed, as ever, with my family in the small cities of Salisbury MA on Boston’s north shore and Scituate MA located on Boston’s south shore. It has been a great trip and I have much to share here on Enjoy Food & Travel. Here is a complete list of stories from New England from my three journeys in the years 2006 to 2009.

Food stories

A tribute to a great cook
Boston: Food of the world at Quincy Market
Breakfast in America
Chinatown, Boston MA
Crispy Chines Poultry, Chinatown, Boston MA
Corn on the cob
Dunkin' Doughnut - an American food story
Grub for Hockey Mams
Grub for hockey mams (and dads)
Harvest of the sea
Italian specialities, Quincy Market, Boston
Jack Daniels Tennessee Whisky, an American classic
Long roast pre-marinated beef from Market Basket
Mac'n cheese - three variations of an American specialty
New England fish chowder, Fisherman's net at Quincy Market, Boston MA
Omaha steak tips and spicy prawns
Pizza from Salisbury House of Pizza
Say cheese!
Seafood, Quincy Market, Boston MA
Serious home cooking
Succulent chicken and pork dinner

Hotels

Restaurants

A1 Deli, Haverhill MA
Assaggio, Boston MA
Barker Tavern, Scituate MA
Bec Rouge, Hampton Beach NH
Bell in Hand, Boston MA
Bertucci’s, Derby Mall, Hingham, MA
Blue Moon, Norwell, MA
China buffet, Salisbury MA
China Pearl, Boston MA
Darwin's Ltd, Cambridge MA
Dunkin Doughnut, Seabrook NH
Eastmans Docks, Seabrook NH
Feng Shui, Cohasset MA
Green Dragon Tavern, Boston MA
Greenhouse Coffee Shop & Restaurant, Cambridge, MA
Gretas Great Grains Bakery and Cafe, Newburyport MA
Jake's Seafood, Hull MA
John Harvard Brew House, Cambridge MA
Luigi & Roscoe's, Boston, MA
Massimino's Cucina Italiana, Boston MA
Master Wok, Boston MA
Mill Wharf, Scituate MA
Olive Garden, Newington N.H.
Park Lunch, Newburyport MA
Piccola Venezia, Boston MA
PJ's Country House, Scituate, MA
Polcari's Bridgewaye Inn, Scituate MA
Riva, Scituate MA
Rustic Kitchen, Hingham MA
Spud's, Rowley MA
TK O'Malley, Scituate MA
Uno Chicago Grill, Cambridge MA
Yenching, Cambridge M
Z Square, Cambridge MA

Sights:

Acorn Street, Boston MA
Barker Tavern, Scituate MA
Beaches of New England, Salisbury, Nantasket, and Scituate MA
Boston Common, Boston MA
Bunker Hill Monument, Boston MA
Chinese Masonic Lodge, Boston MA
Clough House, Boston MA
Copp's Hill Burying Ground, Boston MA
Deacon Larkin House, Boston MA
Ebenezer Hancock House, Boston MA
Eighty-Seven Mount Vernon Street, Boston MA
Faneuil Hall, Boston MA
First Burying Ground, Salisbury MA
Founders Stone, Scituate MA
Freedom Trail, Boston MA
Granary Buriel Ground, Boston MA
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Boston MA
Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library, Cambridge MA
Hollis Hall, Cambridge MA
Holworthy Hall, Cambridge MA
John Hancock Residence, Boston MA
Kings Chapel, Boston MA
Kings Chapel Burial Ground, Boston MA
Location of house of Nathanel Eaton and house of Edward Coffe, Cambridge MA
Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge MA
Masonic Lodge, Haverhill MA
Memorial plaques for wrecked ships, Scituate MA
New Town anno 1638, Cambridge MA
Old North Church, Boston MA
Old South Meeting House, Boston MA
Old State House, Boston MA
Old Townhouses of Charlestown, Boston MA
Our Lady of the Bathtub, Scituate MA
Paul Revere House, Boston MA
Paul Revere Statue, Boston MA
Pierce-Hichborne Building, Boston MA
Quarterdeck, Scituate MA
Rebecca and Abigael Bates House, Scituate MA
Saint Francis of Assisi Garden, Boston MA
Saint Leonard Church, Boston MA
Satuit Brook, Scituate MA
Scituate lighthouse, Scituate MA
66 Banks Street, Cambridge MA
66 Mount Vernon Street, Boston MA
Skinny House, Boston MA
State Capitol, Boston MA
Stoughton Hall, Cambridge MA
Ye Olde Union Oyster House, Boston MA

Hotel Principe Eugenio - Rome

2009-10-18T08:00:00.012+02:00

I got a mail from two friends, John Wroughton and Øystein Rian, with impressions from an out of season journey to Rome and the Amalfi Coast. If you consider staying at Hotel Principe Eugenio, here is a first hand account of the hotel, in their own words.

Our hotel in Rome was the "Hotel Principe Eugenio" (which gets a rating of 9 with Venere) had great, clean & spacious rooms and nice hotel staff. They even welcomed us with a bottle of cold wine! Our first room faced a beautiful internal garden area with balcony.

See the description of the hotel www.venere.com here.

The breakfast itself was adequate (except for horrible coffee - sorry to have to say), but the breakfast room was so cramped it was not a place one would want to "relax and enjoy a breakfast. The meal included thin turkey slices, cubes of cheese, hard boiled eggs etc. - nutritious but not a whole lot more.

It was a very OK hotel for the price (€120 per night). The hotel is in a somewhat shabby neighborhood near the Termini station - which we were aware of before we went. It was near two metro stations so it was no problem getting around.

On Hotel Principe Eugenio

See hotel website here

See reviews of Hotel Principe Eugenio on Tripadvisor

More hotels on Enjoy Food & Travel

Enjoy from A-Z: Rated Hotels 2006-2009