Minisode Monday: Copenhagen Vlog II

Welcome back to another Minisode Monday, It's been a month since I got back from Copenhagen but boy do I miss the city! So many great places to eat, sights to explore and people to talk too; you'll have to experience it for yourself someday. Until then, enjoy my second Copenhagen vlog and check out the ultimate HeyKatBabe guide to Copenhagen HERE!

On a side note thank you to everyone who watched my Noma video. I can't believe it reached over 16,000 views in less than a month! One of the most enjoyable meals of my life, read more about my EPIC meal.

Copenhagen: Things to Do and Places to Eat

Having been to Copenhagen twice within a few months, once in winter and second in the spring, I have a newfound perspective on the delights this charming city has to offer. Here's the ultimate HeyKatBabe guide on where to eat, drink, and play in the city. Get your scrolling finger ready, it's a long one folks!

Where to Visit

Tivoli Gardens:

A must visit for any tourist, theme park enthusiasts or Disneyland fanatics! Tivoli Gardens is the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world, filled with rides, shows, eateries and amazing Irish coffees, this park has something for everyone! I mention Disneyland fans coming here because Walt Disney himself made a trip to Tivoli, which initially inspired his own theme park creation. Cool fact, right?!

When to Visit

Spring: Having visited Tivoli twice, I was able to experience the parks offerings in both the Spring and Winter season. Spring time offered beautiful views of flowers in bloom, warm weather and a magical evening when the lights come on. There are lots of restaurants to choose from which provide outside seating and views of the park. Watching the rides twirling around with a smørrebrød (Danish open face sandwich) and a beer in one hand makes for a pleasant afternoon.

Winter: Tivoli's Christmas Market opens up November 17th - December 31st so mark your calendars and be sure to make a trip for this magical winter retreat. Every corner of the park is decorated head to toe in lights, ornaments, and over the top Christmas decor. Hot chocolate and Irish Coffee's were a must have beverage for the freezing cold temperatures at night. One of the most remarkable places I've ever visited, Christmas in Copenhagen is a real life visit to Santa's workshop.

Freetown Christiania:

An abandoned military base turned hippie commune and anarchist community, Christiania was founded in 1971 by squatters and artists as a "social experiment". The small self-governing town is full of vibrant graffiti art, home to an all women's welding community, art galleries, music venues and much more! You'll notice no political, commercial or big corperation advertisements allowed on premise. The streets are car free and home to "Pusher Street", Christiania's infamous green light district. To learn more about Christiania's offerings and colorful backstory click HERE.

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art:

Art lovers rejoice, this place is for you! The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is an hour train ride outside the city but so worth it for the paintings, sculptures, and scenic ocean views. My favorite part was walking into the Yayoi Kusama exhibit which had no line and you could stand inside the light exhibition for as long as your heart desired. Read more about my review on the LA Yayoi Kusama exhibit HERE.

Torvehallerne:

A foodie lover's dream, Torvehallerne is popular food hall packed with dozens of little restaurants, bars, fish stands, butcher stalls, vegetable markets and one of the most beautiful flower markets I've ever seen. Come hungry and get ready to sample a little taste of everything!

Rosenborg Castle:

Beautiful gardens surround this renaissance style castle.  Originally built as a country summerhouse in 1606, Rosenborg Castle is an example of Christian IV's many architectural projects. You can tour the inside of the castle for a small fee, where you'll find lavish decor, learn about the cultural history of Denmark and admire the crown jewels. If castles aren't your thing take a walk through the Kings Gardens and admire the flowers in bloom.

Nyhavn:

One of the most iconic places in Copenhagen, Nyhavn is the perfect picture taking spot known for its colorful houses which line the canal. It's a popular tourist destination so get here early in the morning to beat the crowds. If you have time, I suggest taking one of the canal tours which shows you some of Copenhagen's architectural delights and sights of the city. 

Copenhagen Free Walking Tours:

Such a great and affordable walking tour. I went both times during my visit to Copenhagen and could not recommend it more! Educational, enjoyable and easy to comprehend, Copenhagen Free Walking Tours are a great way to meet friends and learn about the city. The company offers three different tours, a morning tour (3 Hrs) which is the grand tour of Copenhagen, afternoon tour (1.5 Hrs) which takes you to Christianhavn and Christiania, and finally a night time pub crawl tour. The pub crawl costs 150 DKK ($24.00) and takes you to four different bars with drinks included. I highly recommend all three tours! If you get a chance, join James's group tour for the morning/afternoon hours, he was funny and gave lots of great information.

Where to Eat & Drink

Noma: 

Four-time winner of the title of World's Best Restaurant, if you can afford the luxury price-tag and book a table far in advanced then it's an experience worth every penny.  Chef René Redzepi is pioneering the way for new Nordic cuisine and every bite of his 19 course meal is a journey of its own. You can find out more about this delectable meal from my previous blog post HERE or you can watch the meal in motion on my YouTube channel. 

Schønnemann:

This incredible locals spot features traditional Danish cooking, open face sandwiches (smørrebrød) alongside a variety of snaps and beer. Only open for lunch, come here early because seating fills up fast! Schønnemann is a fan favorite of Noma's revered chef René Redzepi, you can even try the smørrebrød named after him (I did and it was delicious!): smoked halibut with creamed cucumber, radishes and chives on caraway bread. The fish was so fresh and pure tasting, I highly recommend visiting this spot.

Manfreds:

Located in Copenhagen's trendy hipster district Nørrebro, the area alone is worth the visit. According to its website Manfreds "- (probably) the world's only veggie-focused restaurant famous for its raw meat)" rings true to its catch phrase. As a beef tartare aficionado, I knew I had to come here to try a taste! Every patron in this small cozy restaurant was ordering the famous beef tartare and it looked incredible. Upon first bite the meat was perfectly salted, firm and very tender. The dish is finished off with their signature "egg cream" which I couldn't really distinguish but was still very tasty. I really enjoyed the crumbled rye-bread crumbs on top that gave it a nice spicy bite. We also ordered the couscous which was a nice palette cleanser from the meaty beef tartare dish.

Grød:

Right next door to Manfreds this Copenhagen porridge shop was like a food lovers dream come true. Featuring several different types of porridges and bowls, I decided to get a small to-go cup of the risotto. The Carrot Risotto was by far one of the best first bites of food I've ever eaten. If I ever visited Copenhagen again, Grød would be the #1 spot I'd visit over and over again!

Stefanos Pizzabar:

After a quick savory porridge meal from Grød head over to Stefans Pizzabar right around the corner to grab yourself a pizza pie from this cute local eatery. A hotspot for outdoor dining, this restaurant offers views of the park across the street and a good slice.

Café Du Nord:

Located in the Axel Guldsmeden Hotel, this beautifully decorated restaurant and bar features an aquatic theme fit for the little mermaid. Café Du Nord offers a french inspired menu which you can view HERE. My family and I shared the croque madame and chicken breast which came with some of the fluffiest mashed potatoes I've ever eat. Delicious!

Bistro Royal:

A favorite of my Mother's, we stumbled upon this high end eatery right down the street from the colorful houses in Nyhavn. We highly recommend getting the "Biksemad" Royal Stew, served only at lunchtime, every mouthful of this savory dish was incredible! I had the beef tartare, which was ok but Manfreds was better and my sister enjoyed her Bæuf (Steak Dish) with red wine sauce which was quite lovely. 

Sankt Peders Bageri:

A small cozy bakery founded in 1652 and the oldest in the city, Sankt Peders Bageri offers fresh made pastries every morning and a warm place to hole up during the cold winter months. They offer everything from buttery kringle to bread and sticky cinnamon rolls. Wednesday's is its most popular day known as "onsdagssnegle" ( Wednesday snails/cinnamon roll), which is not to be missed! Their large cinnamon rolls are such a popular pastry that the bakery sells no less than 4000 of them every Wednesday. 

Mikkeller Bar:

Mikkeller first started off as a hobby for two home brewers who in a few years went from hobby brewing in the kitchen to international recognition. Mikkeller's craft beer selection is impressive, consisting of local offerings with a few others from around Europe & the United States. They also offer a great liquor list and the original location is located just a few blocks from Warpigs, another popular brewpub.

Cheap Eats

Danish Hot Dog Stand:

A local favorite and now mine too, Danish Hot Dogs (Pølse) stands are conveniently located throughout the city and offer a budget friendly meal. Try one of the traditional boiled red hot dogs with all the trimmings; mustard, ketchup, remoulade, pickled cucumbers, both raw and crispy-fried onions. The perfect meal for on the go eating or after a long night of drinking.

KFC:

I'm a sucker for American comfort food what can I say? Nothing intrigues me more than trying out well known fast food chains in other countries because no one place is ever the same. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this fried chicken joint late one night because the food was fantastic and decently priced. The chicken meat tasted so fresh and greaseless, I almost forgot I was eating at KFC for a second.

Mcdonald's:

An American fast food chain I cannot live without trying in every city I visit is McDonald's. Another thing that shocked me was how fresh, greaseless and well seasoned all of the menu items were. Although both fast food chains (KFC and McDonald's) have menu items which are significantly more expensive in price from their American counterpart, you can really taste the difference and I guess that's just the price you pay for better quality food.

Like what you read? See it all in action and be sure to watch my Copenhagen Vlog and Copenhagen Vlog II for all my favorite highlights abroad.

My guide on where to stay in the city at every budget is coming very soon! If you happen to visit Copenhagen and try out any of my recommendations please leave a comment below or use the #heykatbabe in your posts. Enjoy!

 

Reinventing the 'Best Restaurant in the World': An Honest Review on Noma 2.0

The title of 'Best Restaurant in the World' might not be official yet but Noma 2.0 is on the right path to success! Watch René Redzepi's Seafood Menu come to life on my vlog and read the full review below!

It was an early Thursday morning in Copenhagen, the cold crisp air nipping at my face as I made the walk from my Airbnb to the bus stop. Just a short 30 min bus ride from Copenhagen Central Station out to the country side where the new Noma resides, I came to a beautiful lake and noticed the restaurant from across waters. Upon closer examination I wasn't sure if I had come to the right spot due to half the restaurant still being under construction. Thankfully the maître d' found me, wondering about the construction zone (I had walked the wrong way) and guided me to the front entrance.

I was one of the first to arrive at the restaurant, when I walked in the door I was greeted by about 30+ cooks to the biggest welcoming applause I had ever experienced outside of graduation. It was a very surreal moment, everything that I had heard about Noma, articles I had read about René Redzepi’s gastronomic endeavor were about to become a reality. After I took my seat at the shared table I had booked for myself, the applause from the cooks greeting in-coming guests lasted for another 10 mins before the luncheon began. I was in complete awe; every time a new guest walked through the door the cooks immediately stopped everything they were doing to give them the big standing ovation and immediately ran back to their work stations.

Since I was dining out solo, I decided to go with the shared table which seated 12 diners together at one long table. I loved the shared dining experience I previously experienced during Noma's pop-up restaurant Under the Bridge and wanted to recreate that family style setting. I also choose the wine pairing, which came with its own surprise with my meal. A choice which I highly recommend making for yourself.  Juice pairings are another option for non-drinkers. My dinner partner was kind enough to let me try his but I'm glad I opted for the latter. The wine pairings, which turned out to be much more than just wine included champagne, beer, sake and even fresh water from a nearby birch tree. I've never been sold on wine pairings before but Noma made me rethink the meaning of what a good glass of wine can do to elevate the meal you're enjoying. (officially mind-blown!) FYI: They do not skimp on the wine pours here, be prepared to have at least 7-9 glasses during your meal.

My only disappointment during the meal was the construction taking place on our side of the building. The view was obstructed by scaffolding and a worker in bright neon orange trying to clean the windows next to us. Not exactly the view l was expecting from such an expensive dining experience. Thankfully the workers left after sometime and it was a much more serene atmosphere where the food could be the star of the show. During our meal we were all hoping that chef René would stop by for a quick greeting but he was very busy as to be expected. I did however, manage to wave to him on my way out of the restaurant and received a smile of acknowledgment back which was good enough for me.

Now for the good stuff! Seafood Season was in full swing at Noma and my taste buds were ready to dive into 20,000 leagues under the sea.

A Visual Breakdown with Descriptions:

VENUS CLAMS

One of my favorite dishes from the meal! I loved the black currant butter paired with the sweet clam meat.

SEA SNAIL BROTH

A perfect start to our 19 course tasting menu. The sea snail broth was so warm and nourishing. It tasted like liquid gold of the sea!

BEST OF THE MUSSEL

 The mussel had a light smokey flavor with a velvety butter finish. I could eat a dozen more of these.

DRIED FRUITS AND SHRIMPS

 The acidic flavors of mixed dried fruits with the raw Norwegian shrimp balanced each other out and created a new wave of excitement with every bite.

CURED TROUT ROE AND EGGS 

An eye-catching dish upon first glare, the starfish dish is made of trout roe with a cream of cured egg yolks, kelp, and smoked trout dashi. It was interesting to look at but not the most rememberable dish.

JELLYFISH

The one dish that texturally wasn’t for me but I wanted so like so bad. It was very difficult to eat on a plate due to its slimy nature, a bowl would have been a better vessel for this dish. The ‘Jellyfish’ is actually squid broth thickened with agar, elderflower oil and cream.

SEAFOOD TOWER

I couldn’t wait to dive into this one!

QUEEN SCALLOP AND MAHOGANY CLAM

Actual gems of the sea, these were the best single bites of seafood I have ever eaten! The rich oceanic flavors paired with all sorts of various toppings transformed these mollusks into edible works of art.

SEA URCHIN AND LIMFJORDEN OYSTER

Clean, crisp gems, plucked from the sea and paired with a refreshing side of dressed herbs.

SEAFOOD TOWER WITH LIVE SEA CUCUMBER

 A very surprising guest joined the dinner, Mr. Sea Cucumber!

DRIED SEA CUCUMBER

Another surprising dish which caught my attention. Sea Cucumber Chicharrón, served with kelp and crème fraîche. If they sold these intensely umami sea cucumber chips in a bag I would order the whole case!

SQUID IN SEAWEED BUTTER

I loved the soft texture of the squid and how it unraveled like a long glass noodle. Paired with the rich brown seaweed butter sauce on top was divine.

SEA SNAILS AND ROSES

Seafood salad reimagined! The soft beeswax cup had a pleasant aroma that paired beautifully with the pickled and dried rose petals, herbs, spiced butter and sea snails

JUICE PAIRINGS

My dining neighbor let me have a taste of his juice pairings. The green one was a celery/seaweed juice which tied the oceanic flavors of the meal together.

HEAD OF THE COD

Glazed pieces of head, jaw and throat are served on the bone which have been cooked for 4 hours.

HEAD OF THE COD

 The accompanying dipping sauces include a ant pesto, horseradish milk and Nordic spices. The ant pesto was remarkably delicious and provided a nice bit of acid for the fish meat.

COD WITH SEAWEED FLAT BREAD

 Another one of favorites from the meal, this one bite flat bread was sensational. I really enjoyed the Grilled cod’s cheek, glazed and served on a cracker with wasabi flowers from Iceland.

PEAR AND ROASTED KELP ICE CREAM

An wildly creative dish, this mussel almost looks to real to eat! A fruit leather shell created with blackened pears is the vessel for the delicious kelp ice cream inside. So fun and playful, I loved the concept of this dessert.

CLOUDBERRIES AND PINE CONES

Cloudberry sorbet, yoghurt snow, and candied pine cones surrounded by a tart cloudberry sauce. The pine cones were sweet with a soft chewy nut like texture. So new and exciting for my tastebuds!

SUGAR KELP TART

Another light bite with a hint of the ocean, whipped cream, pine needles, pine needles praline, and crispy flake of carmelized oysters.

PLANKTON CAKE

Sponge with blackcurrant wood oil, plankton cream and freeze-dried berries Delightfully sweet with a hint a brininess from the ocean. Wish I could serve these at my next tea party.

THE ENTIRE MENU

Our 19 course menu has been revealed and a cute crab ornament has been gifted to us.

THE VIEW FROM OUR TABLE

Looking at the cooks prepare our meals right in front of us. Amazing attention to detail and look at that synchronized work flow.

OCEAN DECOR

Specimens from the ocean aka (Noma’s experiments gone wrong) greet you at the front door. A nice display of pickled sea creatures don’t you think?

OUTDOOR KITCHENS

The outdoor kitchens looked like beautiful green houses inside. Decorated with pictures from previous meals to serve as inspiration for the next big dish to be created.

Overall, I had a very special experience at the restaurant. My palette has been expanded, queen scallops have become my new truffle, ant pesto is the future condiment I wish to have with every meal and I even enjoy sea cucumbers now. Noma continues to be the forefront of turning humble ingredients into transcendental cuisine. Their dedication to cooking, using nature as their sole inspiration for the menu, and finding ways to connect their diners to the earth is no easy feat for a restaurant. Noma's food left me at a loss of words, I wasn't sure if I had the vocabulary needed to describe the way every dish made me feel but I hope I've done some justice with this post.

Festival Futurism: A VidaKush Lookbook in the Making

Festival season is back and better than ever! In need of some last minute festival inspo before Coachella next weekend? Check out my latest vlog post featuring some of the mega babes I work with at VidaKush and get a bts (behind the scenes) look from our latest photoshoot. Inspired by the maximalist trend feat. over the top embellishments, bright colors, and metallic accents, the future of festival fashion is here and ready to make a statement!

To see the final photos, check out the full lookbook I created HERE.

Portland: Am I Hipster Yet Vlog?

Welcome back to Minisode Monday! This time I documented my girls trip to Portland, where we ate, drank, and walked in the rain more times than I could count! It was the perfect weekend getaway where we could explore the city by foot and catch up along the way. Come along for the ride as we check out some of Portlands well known eateries, breweries, and drank more coffee than the daily dose recommends. Enjoy!

Portland: Where to Eat and Drink

It's almost been a month since my weekend trip to Portland but it's hard to forget all the amazing eats I had along the way. From brewery bar hopping in downtown to eating late night noodles in one of Portland's trendiest restaurants, here's a rundown of where to eat and drink in the city.

THE GRILLED CHEESE GRILL

Address: 1027 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

The first stop on our Portland trip, with a line as long as an Instagram cheese pull...this place was worth the wait! The grill's slogan, "Come by for a taste of your childhood. (Unless your childhood sucked, and then we'll let ya have a taste of ours.)" reeled me in with its cheeky satirical slogan. I opted for a breakfast sandwich named The Hunter which had Tillamook Cheddar, Bacon, Ham and Egg on French White with a side of pickles and tomato soup for dipping. This was by far one of the best first bites on a trip! Whatever childhood this sandwich came from transported me to a bougie kindergarten cafeteria full of rich celebrity children aka (this is how I imagine Kylie will cook for her baby) and I am here for the fantasy!

LUC LUC VIETNAMESE KITCHEN

Address: 835 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204

The line for this place was around the corner when my friends and I first tried to come here on a Saturday night. We quickly gave up and came back the following day to try our luck again. Distinguished by its modern asian atmosphere, loud hip hop music blaring in the background, and trendy patrons; I could see why this place was so popular. My friends and I absolutely loved the Beef Brisket Pho, perfect for warming up during the colder Portland months. The Grilled Chicken Vermicelli Bowl was ok and worth trying out but the Pho was the clear winner of this round. Come here early to grab a spot in line!

Pho-nomenal bowls of Pho here

GRAVY

Address: 3957 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227

Located right down the street from our Airbnb, this restaurant was another popular brunch venue with a wait time of 50 minutes in the cold and rain. It's hard to find a restaurant in Portland that didn't have a wait! Thankfully we were rewarded with great food and even better biscuits! The portions here are enormous and the price point was very cheap considering what you'd pay for a small brunch course in LA. We absolutely loved the biscuits and gravy, more so the gravy because was it so rich, meaty, and the perfect savory sauce to pour over everything. We also enjoyed the perfectly fluffy pancakes, country fried steak and eggs dish with a side of crisp hash browns. If you can handle the wait, come here for a damn good meal!

Mind your own bisuits and life will be the gravy

PORTLAND CIDER HOUSE

Address: 3638 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214

What better way to wash down breakfast than with a cider tasting? we're on vacation so it's fine! With 30 ciders on tap, it's one of the largest cider houses in Oregon with some of the most diverse collections of cider in North America. We opted for the cider tasting which allowed us to sample 6 ciders of our choosing for only $10, such a deal! They also offer a full bar menu and weekly events which you can view on their website.

Cider tasting for $10 at Portland Cider House

NONG'S KHAO MAN GAI

Address: 1210, 609 SE Ankeny St C, Portland, OR 97214

I never thought a simple plate of meat and rice from a humble restaurant would be so profound but it was and so much more! Down-home Asian style cooking at its finest (aside from my mothers) this simple Pork and Rice dish (Khao Kha Muu) was like a warm hug in my stomach that left a lingering presence long after my meal. I'm not sure if it was the cold rainy weather that got to me but this dish was the snug, comforting place I needed to be surrounded by that night. Come here to feed your soul and your stomach!

Pork Hog (Carlton’s Farm) braised in coca cola, coco powder, Thai and Chinese herbs and spice on jasmine rice, pickle mustard greens and boiled egg with pickle Thai chili sauce

FAT HEAD'S BREWERY

Address: 131 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Upon first glance, we may have dubbed this place as the Applebees of breweries for it's All-American decor and pedestrian neighborhood hangout vibe but were pleasantly surprised to find good beers and great food! The giant pretzel with mustard and beer cheese dipping sauce (which will not get you drunk) but make your belly happy is a must eat. Wash it down with one of their 42 beers on tap, relax a bit and then hit up your favorite book/vintage store after.

Giant Pretzel: House-made beer cheese, Head Hunter mustard & honey mustard. You’ll need a beer for this

BLUE STAR DONUTS

 Address: 3549 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214

Steps above the novelty donuts you'll see spinning in the glass carousel at Voodoo Doughnuts, Blue Star offers fresh made batches of high quality pastries with gourmet fillings. Known for their famous butter-rich brioche dough, these donuts are some of the best in the city! The donuts manage to taste light, greaseless and well-balanced which makes it hard to say no to just to one. Made fresh every morning, each day 15-20 different flavors are made available for customers to purchase in stores. Not sure what to try? My advice is to taste test at least three different donuts, you can walk it off later.

The perfect first bit of this Oregon Apple Butter donut

POK POK PORTLAND

3226 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202

Creative Thai street food with a modern twist, I was excited to try this place the most during our trip! The cocktails, wings, and coconut rice were my absolute favorite from this meal and if I wasn't leaving so soon after I would have ordered a third round. I'm not a huge fan of wings but this was remarkable! The perfect balance of sweet and savory with a deep caramelized fish sauce coating on the chicken bones had me drooling for more. We also tried the Kaeng Hang Leh (Pork Stew), Naua Naam Tok (Thai Flank Steak Salad) and Khao Soi (Egg Noodles in Yellow Curry) which deserved honorable mentions.

I dare you to Thai and stop me from eating those wings up!

Drinks: Mango Alexander, Drinking Vinegar and Tamarind Whiskey Sour

Naua Naam Tok (Thai Flank Steak Salad)

With so many options to choose from, the city has long supported everything from global food carts to gourmet coffee shops on every block in the city. The food scene has become so much more than just a novelty and Portland is now one of the most interesting places in the country to eat. I've only scratched the surface, but this is a great start for your next visit to Portland.

Do you have any favorite restaurants, diners, coffee shops ect. you enjoy in Portland? Send me a tip so I can check it out during my next visit!

Copenhagen: The Happiest City in the World

Merry Christmas everyone! Celebrating another wonderful year of travel and I'm so happy I finally have my Copenhagen video to share with you all. I loved it so much I booked another plane ticket back to Denmark in April 2018.

Check out some of my favorite highlights from my trip down below!

Copenhagen Street Food: Your MUST Eat Food Guide!

One of my favorite things about traveling is discovering a new place online and finally getting to visit in person. I read about Copenhagen's most popular foodie destination, Copenhagen Street Food, in an article which popped up on my Facebook newsfeed about a year ago. Located on Paper Island and known for its global food trucks, funky decor, and the place to be seen on the weekend, I knew I had to experience it myself.

Perfect day for a pint by the harbor.

It was only a quick 15 min walk across the bridge from our hotel in Nyhavn which lead us to this quirky food hall concept. Full of delicious food samples, bars and even a night of bingo! We arrived at the perfect time to catch all the festivities. According to the Paper Island website there are exactly 39 food stalls, food trucks, containers and bars where you can find Korean, America, Japanese, Brazilian, Indian and many more globally inspired dishes.  Almost everything I ate was delicious! You can enjoy your food outside looking over the Opera house and the harbor of Copenhagen or dine inside one of the kitschy decorated bench areas.

Colorful food stall displays at every corner. Photo by: best-of-copenhagen.com

Make sure to visit Yoko Ono's Wish Tree art installation next door for a chance to participate in something meaningful. Its hard not to notice the dozens of little trees covered in white hanging tags that welcome you to paper island. You write down your wish on a white tag provided to you outside and tie it to one of the trees branches. My mom and I came back later in the evening to put up our own wishes and watch the hundreds of wishes flutter in the night sky. 

With only a few days left till the Copenhagen Street Food closes in 2018, here is your ultimate eating guide if you're visiting Copenhagen for the holidays! Take a look at some of my favorite bites along the way.

OINK OINK

Incredibly juicy pulled pork sandwiches, perfectly situated between two toasted buns, coleslaw and pickled Danish free-range pork roasted in the smoke over for 16 hours. This was one of the highlights of my Copenhagen Street Food experience!

BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich

DUCK IT

At DUCK IT you can taste the popular Pulled Duck Burger. The best quality of Confit de carnard served in a burger and it is melt in your moth delicious!

Pulled Duck on Sesame Bun

ALL ABOUT OSTRICH

All About Ostich loves experimenting with meat! A unique burger filled with smoky meaty flavors, lots of cheese, bacon and their homemade ostrich burger patty. 

All About Ostrich Burger: Lots of cheese smoky bacon and good meat!

INDIA STREET FOOD

You can't go wrong with roasted potatoes, chickpeas, bell peppers and yogurt sauce with a mango chutney on the side. This dish was cool and refreshing for the palette.

Roasted Potatoes with Chickpeas

CHICK KO

IIf you're craving Korean style deep dried chicken abroad then this is the place to be. Lots of Korean students were lined up at this place to grab a taste of home. The chicken was ok but nothing to rave about.

Deep fried Korean chicken with orange sauce

LATIENDA

A Vegan Columbian street food stand which is home of the Happy Burger and offers several other vegan options. Pictured here is the Happy Burger which features a quinoa patty, beetroot mayo, chili salsa, red onions and sprouts with a side of plantain chips. A bit on the dry side but grade A on the presentation.

Happy Burger with Quinoa patty

HANDMADE

I absolutely cannot get enough of these traditional Danish open faced sandwiches aka the Danish  Smørrebrød! You'd be amazed by how much you can fit on a single piece of rye bread. The menu varies according to whats in season so you're always in for a surprise.

Smoked salmon and horseradish on Danish rye bread

Roast pork with potatoes, red pickle, bacon and chives on Danish rye bread

Traditional roast pork with Danish red cabbage and pickles on Danish rye bread

PØLSE KOMPAGNIET

Delicious gourmet hot dogs paired with organic bread and a variety of greens and sauces, there were so many options to chose from. Pictured here is a Danish dog with purple onion, fried onions and pickles. Below is a Danish dog with mayonnaise, pesto sauce and potatoes on top, my personal favorite of the two.

Danish dog with purple onion, fried onions and pickles

Danish dog with mayonnaise, pesto sauce and potatoes

LA FATTORIA

The best place to treat yourself to a nice charcuterie board with imported cheese and sausages.  We opted for this delicious arugula salad with goat cheese, tomatoes and balsamic dressing. Pair it with a glass of red wine at one of the bars next door.

Arugula salad with goat cheese and balsamic vinagrette

BISTRONOMI

My absolute FAVORITE thing I ate were the Duck Fat Fries from Bistronomi! I still dream about these fries and I could have easily devoured several batches of them...but seriously, where can I find these fries in America this good?!?

Photo courtsey of @copenhagenstreetfood

There's something for everyone to be found at the Copenhagen Street Food market. So make sure you check it out before its gone forever!

To see more of what I ate in Copenhagen check out my review on Noma's pop-up restaurant Under the Bridge for more good eats go HERE.

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.

A Day Trip to Solvang: LA to Little Denmark

Missing my Summer trip to Europe and in need of a breather from the bustling city life, my family and I planned a short road trip to visit Solvang, CA. We packed our bags and took a 2 1/2 hour drive to visit this charming Danish-American Town where we ate, drank, and shopped to our hearts content.

Drink some Wine:

What better way to get the morning started then with an 11 AM visit to the local winery! The first stop on our trip began with a wine tasting at Presidio Winery , where we tried six different wines from this delightful little shop. A friend of ours recommended getting the Groupon deal for this place which included a $47 wine tasting for four with two bottles of wine to take home. Originally valued at $98, this Groupon was a steal! The winery offered us glasses of chardonnay, syrah, pinot noir and gerwürztraminer. We really enjoyed the crisp refreshing taste of the 2015 chardonnay and took two bottles to go. You can snag their 50% OFF Groupon here if you're interested in checking out the winery for yourself. I highly recommend bringing home one of their Wholegrain Champagne Mustard or Garlic Balsamic Bread Dipper from their shop. You can also purchase these items from their online store here, your future sandwiches and salads will thank you!

Ice-cream Social:

We made a quick pit stop into the Solvang Trolley Ice Cream Parlor for a cone since it was a pretty hot day in town. Truly a gem, this little ice-cream shop is full of pastel colored walls, kitschy decor and lots of ice-cream flavors to chose from! I opted for my favorite flavor, mint chocolate chip from McConnell's, the same brand this bon appétit article told me to "Buy 25 Pints" of if I ever came across it.  I only left with a single scoop that day but if you ever find it in stores, I recommend buying a pint or two. It was that good!

Walk around Town: 

Copenhagen and Mission Drive are lined with all kinds of cute Danish shops.  It's also the perfect place to pick up some Christmas decorations. Stop by one of the many bakeries you'll come across and be sure to take a picture in front of the windmill. You can also spot a replica of the Little Mermaid Statue, a famous landmark in Copenhagen's harbor. We had lots of fun checking out the boutique shops and bought a few souvenirs to take back home. 

Have some Brews: 

After strolling through town for a bit, we decided to check out Solvang Brewing Company for a few drinks and some light snacks. I ordered the Bloody Mary which was jam packed with toppings and quite the show stopper when it came out, a little to peppery for my taste but it looked spectacular. I also ordered the house made Odin Stout which featured hints of coffee, bourbon and molasses dancing flavors dancing on the tip of your tastebuds. We bough two bottles to take home and enjoy. We enjoyed snacking on the house made pretzel with melted cheese which was the perfect doughy and salty bite to compliment our beers.

Bratwursts and Beer Gardens: 

An excellent place for people watching! Our last stop in Solvang ended with a late lunch at Copenhagen Sausage Garden. We started off our meal with a beautifully presented charcuterie board featuring some of the best meats and cheeses Solvang had to offer. Then we ordered a large bratwurst to split between the five of us. One of my favorite things about this place was the impressive amount of sauces and toppings you could choose from. We also got a pint of the Schofferhofer Grapefruit Raddler to quench our thirst in a simmering California heatwave.

Bonus Bites:

On our way back we made a quick pit stop into Santa Barbra for one last bite at Joe's Cafe, my father's favorite spot in town. Pictured here are the massive deli style sandwiches we enjoyed over drinks before the drive home. A feast for the eyes, enjoy!