This is what lunch at the number 1 restaurant in the world looks like

So last year when we came to Copenhagen we had booked lunch at what was then the number 1 restaurant in the world only to have them give a restaurant of diners food poisoning and we instead found ourselves eating at the number 2 restaurant. Well this time around we booked number two, only for it to be promoted in the weeks leading up to the reservation. 20 courses, and almost as many glasses of wine later, here is what the food looked like.
We started with red currant and lavender

Next up was a Nordic coconut. It was essentially a warm broth inside the beetroot.

What is lunch without some fried moss?

Elm seeds and yeast (a reprise from last years lunch)

Flower tarts. This was one of my top two courses for the day.

Pickled and smoked quail eggs.

Green asparagus and scallops. The asparagus themselves were cold and the scallop fudge was almost frozen.

Caramelised milk and cod liver.

White cabbage and samphire "sandwich".

Aebleskiver, lovage and parsley. These were my other fav. They are Danish doughnuts and the center was cooked greens.

Lumpfish toast. Mmmmmm duck fat.

Burnt leek and cod roe (another respirsal and one we were very happy to see again).

Shrimp and ramson. They were like little ravioli. Almost too pretty to eat.

White asparagus, black currant leaves and barley.

Beef tartar and ANTS.

Beetroot, sloe berries and aromatic herbs.

Egg and fresh greens (the salad course).

Turbot and nasturtium with cream and wood sorrel

Rhubarb and sorrel with creme fraiche and Spanish chervil.

Armenia berries and sol.

Happily, the chocolate covered pork fat made a come back with the coffee. Can't think of a more perfect way to end a meal than chocolate covered pork fat...

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Copenhagen Crazy

First country of this trip is down already! Denmark, done and dusted.

Rather than stay in Malmo (where Eurovision was being hosted this year) we decided to go 14kms down the train tracks and instead stay in Copenhagen. That was an awesome decision. The hotel we picked was in a superstar location. From my window I could see the central train station. Made for an easy trip home when you got off the train tired and with aching feet from standing for the past 5 hours!

The buildings in Copenhagen are beautiful. My fav being the town hall - though I suspect that has more to do with watching Danish crime tv shows and seeing it featured in those!

For the most part, the weather was stunning. It was warm and sunny and perfect for wandering around aimlessly. On Saturday in particular I did just that. I went to check out the marble church - which was one of the lovelier churches I have been in over the years.

I turned around and found the royal palaces behind me. Point of note for fellow Australia's - Danish people want to know one thing "do you know Princess Mary?". Australia is a big country folks, and whilst we are proud to have donated one of our own to be the future Queen of Denmark, we are not all BFFs! Mary does however have a royal guard.

I kept wandering along the canal. After all I was on a mission. I wanted to go see the famous little mermaid statue. On my way there I started to notice there were a LOT of people around. I put that down to it being Saturday, there being glorious weather, and carnivale... Then I walk up a hill and see THIS

No, that is not one cruise ship, nor is it two - it was FIVE cruise ships all in a row. All parked near the statue I wanted to see. %#*£¥.

Maybe it is not so bad, I tell myself. Maybe they are all on field trips in town. Nope - they all at the statue!

Took forever to get a shot of the statue with so many people around. But I got it in the end.

We spent an awesome evening at Tivoli gardens. This was someplace I really wanted to go. I learned last year at DisneyWorld that Tivoli was Walt Disney's inspiration. Inspiration might be a bit much. Dude pretty much ripped the place off! It was pretty magical at night. Lots of fairy lights.

Alexa and I skipped the rides (Jo and Tim braved the Demon coaster) but there were pommes frites (hot chips) and Belgium waffles for dinner. Is that an awesome Friday night or what?

One of the main reasons I am looking forward to going back next year (after for the first time in as long as I can remember the song I loved the most actually won!) is for the food. Is the anything better than a Danish open sandwich?

Speaking of food and drink - they had Eurovision water at the arena - water with, wait for it, elderflower and rhubarb!

Weather turned to rubbish on Sunday - just in time for the Copenhagen marathon. We braved the cold and rain to go and cheer a few runners at the 17km mark (okay, we were searching for coffee - but we did clap, and listen to the band).

So after yet another awesome Eurovision, it was time to leave Copenhagen. Whilst this was made easier by knowing I would be back there next year - it did mean leaving Jo and Alexa as they headed for Paris, whilst I headed to Amsterdam. Seeing Gerald and Sofia again was also awesome (and my head didn't hurt for a few hours because I had Swedish speaking company!). The amusing part of the trip (the cruise!) starts today :)

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I ate ants

My birthday was pretty ordinary this year - spent most of it looking at the inside of an aircraft - but I got a do over. At the second best restaurant in the world. It was number 1 til about 2 weeks ago when it got knocked down a peg thanks to that little food poisoning issue...

Anyway - this is about my meal at Noma. 

Just to set the scene - this is a 4 hour meal. No menu. You are served whatever the chefs have foraged locally. The only item that they disclosed as "purchased" were the coffee beans at the end of the meal. Oh, and it was 20 courses. Yup, 20.

We started with an aperitif - a Nordic coconut to be exact. Once you drank the (warm) cocktail you got to eat the straw.

Next up we had malt flatbread and juniper. Only we couldn't see the food - until the waiter pointed out it was in the floral arrangement on the table...

Next up - deep fried moss. This stuff was so crispy and light...

Anyone for some elm leaves dragged through roasted yeast? Tastes like Vegemite...

Next up was a cheese cookie. This thing was about the size of a 50cent piece in reality

Perhaps you would like some berries in pickled rose petals? Bit bitter for me, but the others all loved it.

What about some dried carrot in ash with sorrel?

This is where I became a chicken - LIVE RAW shrimp. The other three were all braver than little old me...well, Tim was kinda brave...

The pickled and smoked quail egg was more my speed

Next up was some sorrel and nasturtium. This is what green tastes like...

To finish the entrees - leek with cod roe (this was awesome).

Every meal needs bread right? So how about fresh, hot sourdough, home made butter and some pork fat?

Now for the mains, would you like some fresh milk curd with wild blueberries?

How about some dried scallops and beech nuts with bio dynamic grains and watercress?

How about onions with fermented pears and ANTS!!!!!!!

Not into ants? Maybe dried beets and plums are more your style?

How about potatoes and bleak fish roe (caviar)

Or maybe some pike perch and cabbages with verbena and dill? What's a trip to a fine dining restaurant without foam?

Next up was a slow roasted beef rib with blueberry glaze and freeze dried ligon berries.

Time for dessert - dansk ice cream!

Dessert number two included mashed potato - it was good - I promise!

Time to retire to the bar for coffee and bar snacks (because we are not full enough already...). Would you like some chocolate covered pork fat? (This was AWESOME!).

Maybe beetroot candy?

All in all an awesome meal and well worth the price. You feel a little like they are challenging you, but there is nothing wrong with that.

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