Under the Bridge: Fancy Feasts from Noma's Pop-Up Restaurant
I've always dreamed of having a taste of what Noma, the world's best restaurant in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014, has to offer. It would be a taste of the best of the best! Known for its experimental cuisine by chef, René Redzepi, as well as its hard to book tables and high price point, it was a surprise to learn about Noma's new pop-up restaurant, Under the Bridge. While Noma’s main location is undergoing renovation and reopening in February 2018, the staff have been hard at work maintaining the standards of superb culinary craftsmanship at their pop-up location. Lucky me! I arrived in Copenhagen just in time to be included in the evening’s festivities.
Unlike Noma's traditional fare, there is an international group of sous chefs who created a menu highlighting different cuisines from all over the world. “The essence of it is that while we are waiting for the new Noma to open, the Noma staff will be collaborating on a menu of simple delicious food that they would eat themselves on a summer night,” the team explains. (Eater.com)
After much inner turmoil as to whether or not I should splurge on an evening of luxury dining, I decided to bite the bullet and buy my ticket. I'm so glad I did because the food, company, and the talent in the kitchen set the mood for a once in a life time experience. Everyone was seated around a long wooden table, beautifully decorated with handmade plates, dim lighting and cozy chairs. In attendance were Noma fans from all over the world waiting for a taste of delectable dining.
It felt like a big Nordic Thanksgiving Feast with everyone at the table talking, tasting and drinking. This was a family-style affair with shared plates and handpicked wine pairings to set the mood for our perfectly planned out dinner.
To find out more about Noma and the chef behind this incredibly restaurant, René Redzepi, you can watch Vice's Mini Documentary or My Perfect Storm now streaming on Netflix.
Now for the food! Enjoy these pictures I took during our meal:
Cozy, Cute Setting in 20 Degree Weather. Pour the wine!
Noma's version of a Tostada and the perfect first bite to our meal.
Baby Courgette / Wild Mushroom Broth / Spinach / Mint / Dill / Blueberries / Wood Ear fungus
Stamped out Lettuce / Various Herbs / Spiced Roasted Shrimp / Pesto / Chili Oil
Cabbage Tacos / Various Herbs / Spiced Roasted Deep-Fried Shrimps / Pesto / Chili Oil
Roasted Chestnuts / Potatoes / Smoked Hay
Roasted Cod Tail wrapped in Cabbage Leaves / Ramson Capers /Lemon Butter Sauce
A little taste of everything!
Poached Pear / Pear Sorbet / Olive Oil / Roasted Dried Seaweed
Almond Tart / Freeze Dried Lingonberry Powder / Dried Ants
No meal at Noma would be complete without some ants! Wonderfully tart and citrusy these little critters added the perfect bit of seasoning to these sweet cakes. Don't knock it till you try it!
Would you ever splurge on a fine dining experience? Which dish looked like your favorite? Let me know in the comments below and make sure to check out my review HERE on LA's little American-Danish town Solvang for more good eats.