Gothenburg’s great grub
Lasse Maja: So it’s not strictly Gothenburg, but this restaurant on the nearby Marstrand island (two-minutes ferry from the city center) is worth a little extra effort. The sail-covered courtyard is rampant with glossy green vines, while the smell of bread cooking in the wood-fired pizza oven induces diners in to a ravenous frenzy. Luckily, the food doesn’t disappoint. Thin-sliced, raw organic salmon was a perfect appetizer while mackerel caught that morning was divine, three delicate fillets resting atop Moroccan-spiced rice. Raspberries picked fresh from the vines that run rampant on the island proved an inspired finishing touch.
Sjobaren: A little less revelatory but a lot more central, Sjöbaren is nestled into a tranquil courtyard in Gothenburg proper. With an 85 krona (US$12) three-course lunch menu, make Sjöbaren a pretty handy spot to test Swedish cuisine’s place in the world gastro landscape. First-course, all-you-can-eat salads are far from earth shattering, though breaded and grilled haddock and sautéed new potatoes works the simple-but-good equation to full effect.
Details:
Lasse Maja - www.tre.vastsverige.com/templates/product____753.aspx?prodId=42347
Sjobaren - www.sjobaren.se