Uncomplicated, delicious food that celebrates Nordic cuisine with inspiration from Central Europe, is what the new restaurant concept that will be launched at a selection of Strawberry's hotels consists of. INRIKES had the opportunity to check in for lunch at Clarion Hotel Stockholm on Södermalm to taste Nòr.
The restaurant is located directly to the left when you enter, a place that used to be a bit messy and impersonal. Here, JOYN Studio has now reviewed the concept and succeeded in making the place both stylish and homely. It should be added that they know this about restaurants and on their list of achievements they have, among others, Astoria and Frantzén, both in Stockholm and in London.
– Inspired by the color palette and shiny properties of Nordic nature, such as the mirror-like surface of water and the soft carpet of moss, we have created the interior for Nòr. The environment is varied with room for both intimate conversations and atmospheric dinners. Nòr is an urban oasis where the classic meets the modern in a relaxed elegance, says Lisa Grape, Interior Architect, Creative Director and Founder of JOYN Studio.
We first end up at the bar there to try the signature cocktail South98, which is a twist on a classic cosmopolitan now sweetened with honey from their own beehives. I choose a non-alcoholic ditto and it's so good that I actually order two for myself. However, they look the same so those who see my progress might think I'm a bit thirsty.
We head further into the venue and I settle into a comfortably upholstered sofa, lean back and enjoy the view. There are also tables just inside the bar, where you can see into the kitchen, but we go a little further into the venue. Here we are now treated to a view of the Globe and the slightly odd location on top of the tunnel that leads both in and out of the city via Skanstullsbron.
The lighting is pleasant, the tables are round, the company is excellent. An almond potato cake with Västerbotten cheese and salmon roe whets the appetite. After this we are served slightly smaller tasting portions from the menu. Veal tartare, slow-baked beetroot and Vichyssoise for starters and then pike-perch, duck and schnitzel for main courses, responsible for the kitchen is Laura Camino in the role of Head Chef.
Excellent wines are served with this, and our waiter speaks warmly about the wine and its origin. The wine countries that get a little extra focus here are those from France, Italy and Spain. However, the non-alcoholic IPA also works really well with the food. The food is super tasty and the concept is based on Nordic and Central European with a focus on local seasonal ingredients.
This is now the fourth hotel in Sweden where a Nòr has opened, the restaurant concept has previously been available in Jönköping, Umeå, Borås and Sundsvall. The hotel chain has previously collaborated with Marcus Samuelsson, among others, but taking it on its own will be both easier and cheaper.
– Nòr is a restaurant for all occasions, something we feel we have been missing in this part of Söder, says Ida-Maja Tejle, General Manager Clarion Hotel Stockholm.
We finish with an almond cake with autumn apples, cardamom ice cream and vanilla cream, before heading out into the city again.
PS, if you like the concept and would instead find yourself on Kungsholmen, we can tell you that the concept will also move in here at Clarion Hotel Amaranten starting November 23rd.
NÒR Clarion Stockholm Address: Ringvägen 98, Skanstull Open: Every day except Sunday. In addition to the bar and restaurant, pop-ups and happenings await you here. After Work every Wednesday, and invited DK every Friday. In addition, the restaurant serves a Cheft Choice Menu, tailored to the season. Collaborations with local players will also appear, as well as truffles from Gotland and the premiere of this year's Beaujolais Nouveau.
