Loading... Please wait...
« February 2011 | Main | April 2011 »
We know Lina and we really like her. More than being just an amazing all round Swedish lady, she is also a super duper talented designer. We just wanted to make you aware of these amazing candle holders that you can now buy in up market places such as Selfridges. Oh yes.
You can see more about Lina's studio here
Rebekka got angry again today. It seems the Veg Man is out to get her. Not only did she have to look at that rude horseradish earlier this week - today, it was the carrots.
Plus, Victor and Seb are both around and they can't stop sniggering. Boys will be boys.
We are used to people sniggering when they come into the shop sometimes: there are quite a few products we stock that may have slightly different meanings in the English language than it does in Scandinavia.
Taking the number one spot has always been:
This product from Denmark is a box of salty liqourice.
Spunk is an old product on the Danish market - from the late seventies. It was made in homage to Pippi Longstocking; innocently, in one chapter of the Pippi books, she invents a new word and goes searching for something that fits the word. And that word is spunk. And so the sweets were named.
Except nobody checked the UK market.
Perfect for leaving on a colleague's desk, bringing to the pub to amuse your mates or offering to people in supermarket queues.
You can buy the product online here for only £1.18 a pack - or pop into the shop and stuck up on Spunk.
In 1993, 60 Minutes (the tv show) did a segment of depressed Finland, their alphabet soup words and their obsession with the Tango.
We welcome comments from Finns who remember if life in Finland really was this depressing 18 years ago or if this is gross misrepresentation.
Time and time again he proves that he is almost human.
We heart Henri
One Year in 90 seconds from Eirik Solheim on Vimeo.
Always keep an eye on where you ski. You never know what might run out in front of you.
Filmed in Holmekollen in Norway 2011.
This is how they all dance in Norway. Maybe.
Taken from Norway's got Talent 2011.
Our Rebekka is very serious about what she does. No swearing (almost) in the kitchen, it is all very organised and sorted and proper. Adn then, well, then the Veg Man goes and delivers something like this.
It's a horseradish, in case you wonder. We use a lot of horseradish but they don't usually look like this.
Poor Rebekka was just happy Victor was off today; he would have had a field day winding her up about it.
We've been open on Sundays now since end of Feb and it is going very well. People pop by, read the Sunday papers, enjoy a coffee or four and we all have a nice chit chat and enjoy a brunch platter or pastries. In fact, it is so very relaxed and chilled compared to the hustle and busy-bustle of Saturdays.
We've had some great feedback on our Sunday Brunch menu - if you have not tried it yet, pop by on Sundays between 10 and 16 (last food orders at 15).
See you soon
Love
The Sunday Team x
WEEKEND BRUNCH AT SCANDI KITCHEN
Scandinavian Brunch Platter (Sundays only)
Scandinavian pickled herring, Swedish ham, Scandinavian cheese, Boiled egg and Kalles Kaviar, Swedish mini sausages, Fruit Salad, Swedish "fil" Yogurt w home made rye granola, selection of rye bread, sourdough toast, spreads of your choice 7
Vegetarian: Scandinavian sliced cheese, creamy brie with grapes, Egg salad with chives, mushroom pate, fruit salad, Swedish "fil" yogurt with home made rye granola, selection of rye bread, sourdough toast, spreads of your choice 6
Smoked Norwegian salmon, scrambled egg and sourdough toast 6.5
Swedish mini sausages (‘Prinskorv’), scrambled egg and sourdough toast 6.5
We’re sorry, but we’re unable to substitute items on the brunches.
The usual suspects (also available during the week and Saturdays):
Warming oat porridge with stuff on top (honey, cinnamon & cane sugar, jam, homemade fruit & berry compote) 3
Fresh Fruit salad with seasonal fruit and berries 3
Home toasted muesli with nuts and seeds – served with Swedish yoghurt 3
Homemade crunchy rye granola with seeds & cranberries – served with Swedish yoghurt 3
Good-for-you bread basket 3
Choose from wheat free organic dark rye, light rye, Scandinavian high fibre crisp bread, rolls... Help yourself to toppings from the daily selection of Scandinavian jams and spreads.
Arctic bread open sandwiches – a soft bread made with wheat and rye 3
Swedish ham and Scandinavian cheese
Egg & crispy bacon with mushrooms
Scandinavian cheese & salad
The Stud Muffin - a perfect breakfast choice. 2
Our Secret recipe Blueberry muffin made with spelt flour, sweetened with apple and banana and nuts. Lower in sugar.
All-butter Croissant filled with Swedish ham and Scandinavian cheese and vine tomato 3
Freshly baked cinnamon buns and pastries from 1
Please note some items contain pork (ham, meatballs, liver pâté – ask if in doubt. All food has been made in a kitchen where nuts are present and we cannot guarantee nut free.
Coffee by Monmouth. Double shots as standard. Free hug with every 5th coffee, every 10th is free.
For those of us old enough to have witnessed Twin Peaks when it aired in the late eighties, the BBC 4 screening of the Danish crime series The Killing has brought back a welcome whodunit series – without the dancing dwarf speaking backwards. We’ve been at the edge of our seats for ten weeks now – and tomorrow, Saturday, we’ll finally know who killed Nanna Birk Larsen.
The Killing (called “Forbrydelsen” in Danish) first aired in Denmark in 2007, to much the same hype as here. People started wearing Faroese jumpers as if they were high fashion. Perhaps even removed light bulbs to create the same atmospheric darkness that portrays Copenhagen through the whole series (it isn’t that dark, in case you were wondering).
These last few days we’ve seen a steady stream of people popping by to pick up stuff for Danish themed dinner parties they are having in preparation for the final two episodes tomorrow (BBC 21:00-23:00). Rye bread, herring, Danish beers, crisps, liqourice, aquavit...
Here are some The Killing facts for you guys – and don’t worry, we won’t tell you who the killer is... In fact, at SK, only our Rebekka knows because she’s been so nosy and asked her friends back home. Now she’s spent the last 7 weeks being annoyed with herself that she knows.
Facts about The Killing – and surrounding info
For those of you thinking about having a bit of a Sarah Lund soiree: pop to the shop and pick of Danish goods: we’ve got a big Danish delivery coming in tomorrow FRIDAY afternoon, so we’ll have plenty of stuff to fill your basket with.
And now for the American TV Trailer - seriously, when will they stop ruining our great movies and TV series?
Bronte's bike was nicked the other day. This means that lately, she's been thinking a lot about stolen bikes.
In Denmark this week they decided to scrap an anti-bicylce-theft project. Why? Despite spending 3,2 million kroner on the project, the result was simply they had reunited TWO people with their bikes.
Then they had the cheek to ask for another half a million to "finish the project". The answer was a "no". Read more here
There are 18,000 bike thefts in Copenhagen annually.
60,000 bikes are stolen in London each year.
The best place in Denmark to have a bike is Bornholm. It has the lowest number of bicycle thefts. Possibly because it is a small island. Well, that would make sense.
Where do they all go, our poor bikes? Bike heaven? The Wrong Side of the Tracks?
Boras is a quiet place in Western Sweden. Except when you let the old people race on the motorway.
Last week, a 70 year old man was convicted of reckless driving and driving wihtout a licence. The reaosn for this was an afternoon trip to get to the caravan shop before it closed - a journey he undertook at speeds of up to 170 km/h.
During his journey he managed to undertake oncoming traffic, fly past a mini-bus full of off-duty police officers and speed around blind corners.
Crazy Swedes.
We've decided to have a little soiree - and what better way to introduce some new foods, have a tasting session, drink a few glasses of vino and meet other people?
So, calling the serious food bloggers / lifestyle bloggers. We'd like to put some faces to the names of all you guys who have written about us over the years - and those of you who don't know much about us yet. Do you have a food blog that woudl fit with what we do? Do you write about Scandinavian stuff? Lifestyle?
The event is INVITE ONLY. We only have a very limited amount of space. Therefore, if you feel your blog is serious enough for you to want to pop over, do a bit of a tasting and listen to Bronte talk about Nordic Food Trends, then let us know.
The event takes place at 19:15 on Wednesday 30th March at Scandi Kitchen. To apply for tickets, please mail bronte@scandikitchen.co.uk by end Thursday 24th March.
Please note - if you are not on the list to get in, we can't let you in on the night, this is a closed event.
Love
The Kitchen Team x
Hmmmm... Those Swedes. Last year, they tried to do a blood bank drive by having photographs of 'vampies' with blood dripping from their teeth delivered to all households. It didn't work very well.
Now, an online dating agency is in trouble for this poster, part of a bus-stop advert campaign:
It says, literally translated: 'Are you married? Liven up your life: have an affair.'
The campaign is from the Norwegian firm Victoria Milan. The ads went up on bus stops all over Stockholm. The CEO of the company is not planning to remove the ads. People are talking. Lots are complaining.
It is not known if the ads are effective, but it certainly a talking point.
NOMA in Copenhagen was crowned as the Top Restaurant in the world last year by the San Pellegrino guide. Rasmus Koefod was crowned as the "world's best chef" (he's working at the Geranium Restaurant).
Both restaurants say they were unfairly treated by the Michelin guide inspectors who refused to give NOMA it's third star and left out Geranium too. Read more (in Danish) here
Still, no time for sour grapes, we say. SorenK, the most excellent restaurant in Copenhagen, was given a well deserved Bib Gourmand.
We say pants, pants, pants to all the uproar in Denmark right now about the Michelin guide: sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. That's about it.
In our opinion, the fact that Scandinavian restaurants across the world are gaining momentum - and that Sweden and Denmark both have record number of Michelin stars this year - is a fantastic indication that Nordic food is on its way to having its moment in the sun.
Whether you serve Michelin star food or whether you are (as us) a little cafe that offers open sandwiches to the masses - it is all about celebrating the Scandinavian way of eating.
And that, dear friends, no amount of hats or stars can take away.
Now, time for lunch....
Next time you are in Copenhagen and realise you're not going to get a table at NOMA, why not try Soren K? It's very good.
David Jorgensen travelled to Sweden for this year's Swedish Eurovision Entry decider and reported back:
Schlagerfiasko was right there in Stockholm for the culmination of this year's Melodifestivalen. So what did we learn?
- Stockholm City Hall is the best place for a party in the world. It even has naughty mosaics.
- Swedish popstars knew who I was. This was, of course, amazing.
- Eric Saade is a really nice guy. He won, by the way, although it could have been me who told him that he couldn't do the glass-breaking in Düsseldorf. But this may have changed now, and they may let him.
- Keep an ear out for a brand new STAR to emerge - Loreen. My Heart Is Refusing me was the breakout success of the event.
- Finnish singer and one-time politician Arja Saijonmaa is a diva.
- Lena PH is also a diva. And she knows it.
- Shirley Clamp loves to party.
- Le Kid wore real Licorice Allsorts.
- It's OK to stand next to Fredrik Reinfeldt.
- Linda Bengtzing had a filthy dressing room.
- Sanna Nielsen is extraordinarily tall.
Read much more on the fantastic site www.schlagerfiasko.nu
Eric Saade: the WINNER!
Did you know there was a Danish gospel Choir in London? Nor did we until last week - but they are Gospel Wrokshops at the Danish Church in London - and how about popping along to see them in action too?
You can join the group here on the Facebook page
We’re Scandinavian Kitchen and we’re a deli/grocery shop/café for anyone who likes Scandinavian food. We’ve been open since 2007 and have gone from strength to strength. Our shop in Great Titchfield Street W1 is a hub for ex pats and Scandophiles alike.
Our cafe is full of great people: from our customers to the people who work here. We pride ourselves in being not just about the food, but also about surrounding ourselves with super duper people.
We’re looking for a Kitchen Angel to join the kitchen team towards end March. On a day to day basis, the team preps all the open sandwiches for our café, prepare the salads, bake an array of super cakes and sometimes also make food for out of house orders (anything from buffets to canapés). The role offers great scope to get involved and not only make great food and cakes - but also use your initiative and help make the Kitchen Team even stronger.
Responsibilities include:
The person we’re looking for has the following skills and qualities:
A lot of our Scandinavian customers miss home and any applicant who has been away from ‘home’ (meaning country) for a while gets bonus points as it brings an understanding of what it is like to live abroad. We welcome in particular applications from people who have already been customers of ours so you know what we’re all about (although this is not essential).
Please note that this role requires weekend work most weekends because we’re now open 7 days a week. If you are not committed to weekend work, this job is not for you.
Hours of work are Wednesday through till Sunday either 6:30-15:00 or 8:00-16:00 (shifts depending). As this is a full time permanent role we are unable to accept applications from people wishing to do summer jobs or similar: we are looking for someone who is going to stick around ideally for a year. The longer, the better, really.
To apply, please send your current CV and a little note about you and why you want to work at Scandi Kitchen to: bronte@scandikitchen.co.uk. Deadline is 17 March 2011
We’re sorry, but if you have not heard back from us a week after the deadline, the job wasn’t quite right for you this time around.
We had Chris Windsor the photographer in here today do take some new exciting photographs for us. We got all very excited and played food stylists and models the whole morning.
Emmeline, our PR Gal, helped out and we are sure there are some ace photos in the can. So, watch this space for exciting new updates to the websites - especially the one for the Scandinavian Food Online shop www.scandikitchen.co.uk/shop (yes, to those of you who did not know, you can now buy all your Scandinavian groceries without leaving the comfort of your own sofa. Hoo haa).
Today 8th March 2011 is International Women's Day all over the world. Today, we celebrate women who have made a difference socially, politically and econimically. On top of that, it is the 100th anniversary.
There are many Scandinavian women we want to celebrate. Ranging from the amazing Karen Blixen, who did so much for Danish women in literature - to Ann-Marie Orler who last year was appointed Police Adviser for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations at the UN, which makes her the first woman to hold the top rank. Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir who is the Prime Minister of Iceland. Norway has one of the highest ratios of women board members in the world. We feel that Scandinavia has a good share of kick-a** ladies who rock. We are super proud of that.
We love the International Women's Day and the mountains women in unison help move around the world. We celebrate women who make a difference - but more than that, we celebrate PEOPLE who make a difference.
Still, we can laugh at the little things that seperate us all. Like these pictures - thanks to Maria for sending these in: IF WOMEN RULED THE WORLD:
Sweden is the last Nordic land to decide its Eurovision entry this Saturday. Before then, however, Melodifestivalen has to overcome a difficult few days caused by a technical problem that caused some people to vote for the wrong performers in the 'Andra chansen' (second chance) round. It was a schlagerfiasko (ahem) all round, as the four favoured acts (at least in the Harcourt) were all knocked out. Even über-producer RedOne's Love Generation girls failed to win.
So we're left with The Moniker (annoying Pop Idol contestant dressed like George Harrison in his Indian period channelling the very worst of Eurovision 'humour' - yes, even more so than Jedward) and Sara Varga, singing a lovely, bossa nova-infused song. It also happens to be about domestic violence. Anyway, the results are still being debated - if you really want to get into it, pay a visit to Schlagerfiasko.nu - I have been cogitating for days.
So, the two hot tickets for the final are Danny Saucedo's In The Club and Eric Saade's Popular. Danny's on first, Eric's on last. Danny dances. Eric smashes glass - and there's rain.
But can either of them win?
Post by Schlager David. He's the King of Schlagerfiasko - check him out.
Hiya
If you are looking for semlor for Fat Tuesday, Emma has been up baking since crack up dawn and we'll have them in the shop from when we open at 8 am.
See you there
Loe
The Fat Tuesday Team x
"By far, the best semlor I have ever tasted in the world, ever"
"These buns make me feel like I've gone to heaven. I no longer care about anything else"
Right now, all over Sweden, some parts of Finland and some parts of Norway, people are getting ready for Fat Tuesday. Yes, we know Shrove Tuesday is a religious thing, but nowadays in Scandinavia, it is all about Fastelavn, the Faste - and about eating more cardamon buns than humanly possible on 8th March.
A semlor bun is a simple bun flavoured with cardamon, filled with a yummy marzipan and vanilla creme filling, topped with whipped cream and dusted with icing sugar. Some people in Sweden like to eat them topped with hot milk - in a bowl - but that is only for the die-hard Semlor eaters and those who ignored the fact that Sweden once had a King who died from eating too many semlor this way (okay, so he DID eat 17 of the large buns, but still).
Every year in Sweden on Shrove Tuesday, more than 5,000,000 semlor buns are sold. And that is just on the actual day.
We've been baking Semlor since mid Janaury now and we'll be doing them until next Sunday 13th and then that is it until next year.
So, if you've not yet had your fix this year, pop by and stick a few on your hips.
If you are reading this and you know a few Swedes and you want to make them happy, bring them a few semlor on Tuesday: Fat Tuesday is about as big as it gets - it's up there with Midsummer, Christmas and Eurovision.
Larger orders catered for, but PLEASE order in advance iwantfood@scandikitchen.co.uk
We're baking a shed load of semlor on Tuesday, but if you want to guarentee yours, reserve, please.
£2.25 each to take away - £2.75 to eat in.
We also have all the ingredients you need to make your own - fresh yeast, vetemjol, marzipan and everything else. Oh, and a good recipe. Just ask.
"I wish Scandi Kitchen did semlor all year round - they make February worth getting through"
"simply divine, the semlor at Scandinavian Kitchen: soft, fluffy, with the most amazing filling - better than semlor I have had in sweden and that is saying a lot because I LOVE semlor"
Well, you said it, not us. Thank you. Rebekka, Emma and Victorious are at the ready in the kitchen to bake till they can't bake no more.
Our super favourite shop in London, Kidsen, is looking for full or part time staff for their store in Kensal Rise. If you're into Scandinavian Children's wear and toys - and you are looking for a job - then have a peek at their advert here:
Kidsen is located in NW6 on Chamberlayne Road. They stock everything from Miniature to Hummel to MiniRodini and they have loads of Pippi Longstocking goodies too. They are a must for buying children's shoes as well, offering not only a super range of kids' shoes but also a measuring service by trained staff - check them out online www.kidsen.co.uk
Eurovision fever - and most of Scandinavia has by now decided who they are sending to Germany for the final.
Here's Denmark's bid. For more stuff about Eurovision, there is only one place to go: http://www.schlagerfiasko.nu
Denmark.
Well, not really the whole country, but Susanne Bier got it and accepted it on behalf of whole whole of Denmark and we'll all get to share it, hopefully.
Big hoo haa about this - it is a great film and a well deserved winner. Congratulations. To the whole of Denmark.
This means that Denmark now has won an Oscar three times. The same as Sweden. Norway hasn't won Best Foreign Language Film, although Anette says that one of the Assistant Lighting people on The King's Speech was indeed from Norway and that makes them pretty much a winner too.
It was all very exciting and for a second there we even forgot all about Eurovision.
repetition, lift one, two, three... one, two, three...
Tel. 020 7580 7161
info@scandikitchen.co.uk
61 Great Titchfield Street
London, W1W 7PP
Monday - Friday: 8 - 19
Saturday: 10 - 18
Sunday: 10-16 (food 15)
Scandinavian Kitchen 2010
