Posted by Mr. Meatball August 23rd, 2007
This time I’m not going to tell you about cuisine. Even though you sure can eat good food here. I have noticed something that looks a bit like me but white and huge. And not made out of meat. I’m talking about the Globe Arenas.
The Globe Arenas were opened in 1989 and consists of four arenas; Globen, Hovet, Annexet and Söderstadion. Even though the actual Globen is the most impressive. The inner height is 85 metres and the volume is 605 000 m3. The Globen Arenas also consist of a big shopping mall and the Quality Hotel Globe. And it is really easy to get there as well since The Globe has its own subway station. Most of the big events and concerts in Stockholm are held in one of these arenas, everything from the world championship in hockey to a U2 show. You should really try to catch some of the events that are taking place during your trip just to feel the greatness of the place. Personally I’m going to catch Sting’s old band The Police on the 30th of August when they hopefully are playing my favourite song ever - “Every Breath You Take”. Well Sting, no worries, one thing you won’t run out of when you’re in Globen is air.
Au revoir
/ Mr Meatball
Globen and Concerts
b a n n e r
Posted by Mr. Meatball August 16th, 2007
You might think that I’m all about fancy expensive food. But think again. I love fast food. As long as it’s properly done and made out of fresh raw materials.
So what is typical Swedish fast food? Well, it’s almost the same as in the rest of Western Europe. That will be hamburgers, kebab, hot dogs etc. But Sweden also offers some unique fast food. After been walking Götgatsbacken, Södermalm up and down, overdrawing your credit card in all the cool boutiques you should make a stop at Slussens Torg and eat fried herring with mashed potatoes and lingonberry preserve for a cheap amount. It’s a true classic and absolutely superb! If you’ve been shopping around Åhlens or PUB you might end up at Hötorget where you can buy some fresh fruit at the crazy fruit market for a “special price especially for you”. After that you should try Kungsgrillen. They are specialists in any kind of traditional Swedish fastfood such as meatballs (Yihoo!) with mashed potatoes, fried herring etc. (And make sure to be real hungry because the portions are measured to please bodybuilders.) Or go down in Hötorgshallen and eat really nice and price worthy fast food mainly from the Middle Eastern region. If you would like to go for a safe card, that will be hamburgers, you should try MAX (Vasagatan or Norrmalmstorg). Heading from the north of Sweden, Stockholm wasn’t blessed with this burger until mid 90’s. Their trademark is “our burgers are always prepared to order” which make them extra juicy and better tasting. If you ask me, this is the best flat meatball you can eat in Sweden.
Your favourite meatball
Mr Meatball
Eating, Slussen, Fast Food, Heering, Meatballs, Max and Hötorget
Posted by Mr. Meatball August 9th, 2007
I’m back, and I’m still dressed up like a meatball! In fact, I now feel so comfortable in my outfit, I’m a little uncertain whether I actually make any impression when I go out in town. That’s why I decided to go a little further the last time I went out for a bite!
I decided to go to a restaurant called Landet, not only because the name actually means “The Country”, but also because it lies a safe 5 minute underground ride outside the central parts of Stockholm. The area of Telefonplan is most likely named so because of the old telephone factory that was built there. Today this 20,000 square metre building is the home of approximately a thousand talented students who study at Konstfack, Stockholm’s very own University College of arts, craft and design. Opposite the school lies Landet. A safe haven outside of town for gastronomic gurus like myself. I wasted no time and took a table by the window. The lovely looking outside serving was unfortunately already seated. I enjoyed a great dinner, with their special summer menu offering me the likes of an Atlantic Halibut starter, a honey-glazed file of pork chop as a main course, and a scrumptious dessert that reminded me of rhubarb crumble. Which just happens to be my favourite dessert, all categories.
Here’s to you,
Mr Meatball
Eating, Landet and Telefonplan
Posted by Mr. Meatball July 25th, 2007
There’s one thing that more than anything else (to me anyway) signifies summertime in Sweden. It’s the smell of grills. You see, whenever the weather permits - everyone who owns a grill will be outdoors preparing a scrumptious meal.
Should you not own a grill, or for some reason forgot to bring it on your vacation to Stockholm - fear not! There’s a terrific alternative right here in the heart of central downtown. On Drottninggatan lies the immaculate dream for anyone who savours meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, and anything else grill-able. The name of the place is naturally Grill. Here you’ll not only find similar grill-loving friends of mine, but also an interesting mix of mingling bar guests. The place is well-decorated and bears a striking resemblance to a furniture store. Incidentally, the space was previously inhabited by a furniture store. Maybe they just bought the interior off them, what do I know? What I do know however is what to order! The food is inspired from all corners of the world, so there’s something great to discover for everyone. Being a meatball I can seldom stay away from the lamb kebab, but the “Mexican Fiesta” is another dear favourite of mine. Unfortunately they don’t grill the desserts, but the Kiwi Carrot-cake probably tastes better they way they serve it. Make sure to eat here!
Feeling stuffed,
Mr Meatball
Eating, Drottninggatan and Grill
Posted by Mr. Meatball July 6th, 2007
I might be dressed up in a Meatball outfit, and that does contain its oddities. But when it comes to getting around the narrow old alleys of Stockholm’s Old Town you can trust me, there’s no quicker way!
Not that this beautiful old part of town is one to hurry through however. Around every little corner one can find the most intriguing part of history, a store, or a restaurant that serves food worthy of the buildings in which they reside. One of the finer in this category would have to be Gyldene Freden. (The golden peace) This restaurant more or less looks exactly the same way it did when it opened in 1722. Throughout the years several famous people have dined here on a regular basis, including the painter Anders Zorn who one evening even bought the place, thus saving it from bankruptcy. Today the restaurant is thriving and they serve a mean plate of meatballs. I had my sight set for something different so I decided to head on over to Pontus by the sea. This rather fashionable restaurant lies by the seaside front of the Old Town, and allows you to enter the magical world of a proper French brasserie right in the heart of the city. They also have fresh seafood on a daily basis, and that’s what watered my mouth this time.
Your favourite meatball,
Mr Meatball
Life, Eating, Old Town, Gyldene Freden and Pontus By The Sea
Posted by Mr. Meatball June 12th, 2007
Although the result of imagination appears to have fallen short when it comes to the name, the restaurant Restaurangen (The Restaurant in Swedish) have done everything right when it comes to welcoming a man in a meatball suit.
This place is located in a very central part of town, on Oxtorgsgatan. The concept is simple, but leaves visitors with an incredibly difficult task. All dishes are served as smaller appetisers, prompting a selection of many goodies instead of having to settle for only a few. The menu is printed on paper and by using a pen you simply proceed to circle all the dishes you would like to have. All the meals are named after ingredients, further hinting the flavour-sensation that you are invited to explore. The excellent selection of wine is also selected using the pen and served according to your request. Seeing as I was as hungry as I always am, I went for the full fandango and had a 7-course meal. My selections included a delicious gazpacho, crispy thai pork, a mixed grill, an amazing foie gras, a well seasoned clam chowder, and a tiramisu from heaven. I like to think that a man that carries the burden of a meatball suit is well worth his dessert on any day. Do I even need to mention that I rolled out of the place when I was done? Yummy!
Eating is living,
Mr Meatball
Eating and Restaurangen
Posted by Mr. Meatball May 31st, 2007
I may be a meatball most of the time, but last night a certain flavour almost resulted in an uncontrollable urge to switch costume and become a fish. Only almost, mind you. As the saying goes: once a meatball, always a meatball.
Being a big fan of hotels, mainly for dining but occasionally falling asleep too, I finally managed to roll myself over to Stockholm Fisk. This seafood restaurant is situated on the ground floor of the Radisson SAS hotel right in the central parts of town. Dizzy from the lively view of people passing by outside on Vasagatan, I felt a bit crazy and started with the anchovy cheesecake with salmon roe and pickled red onions. Can you sense a theme there? Fried herring with potato puree & browned butter became my main course. And yes, it was a close call for my costume to be thrown away in favour for something a bit more fishy. It was delicious, can’t think of a better way to put it! Great service and amazingly fancy restrooms, too. What more can a meatball ask for? Lingonberries? Naah.
/Mr M
Eating and Stockholm Fisk
Posted by Mr. Meatball May 13th, 2007
Although I mainly present myself as a gourmet eater, I am, to my closest posse at least, known for my mad magic dancing skills as well. Something I also showcased in the fabulous Stockholm The Musical.
These two great hobbies in life, managed to come together in one great harmony last night at the Pet Sounds bar. I met up with my fellow partners-in-crime and ordered whatever the chef recommended. In a place like this, you know it’s going to be both fancy and saucy. A true piece of art, also known as aged sirloin with Jerusalem artichoke, truffle and olives, is what I feasted on. The lady by my side (yes, meatballs occasionally date) decided to go for milk feed lamb steak with sweetbread and “bouquet garni” crème, a smash hit I might add. Later we headed downstairs to the bar area where the evening culminated in the meatball dance, much to everyone’s delight. If you enjoy rockabilly music and know what’s good for you, you will surely make reservations here!
Another night, another plate
/Mr Meatball
Pet Sounds Bar and Dating
Posted by Mr. Meatball April 25th, 2007
After the last unexpected late-night dinner turning into a somewhat unwanted meeting with Sven I decided to plan my next dinner adventure carefully. That’s why I ended up going to Gondolen. Difficult to be spotted, and way out of Sven’s league.
Gondolen is the magical home of visionary chef Erik Lallerstedt, one of Sweden’s most famous chefs. The food is excellent, the view is even better, and the drinks are wonderful. Situated on the top floor of the highest building overlooking the Old Town at Slussen, the view offers panoramic sunsets on any given day of the year. I started out by ordering the smoked scallop with shrimps in herb and pepper dressing and lime flavoured cottage cheese. Not quite like meatballs, but very yummy all the same. Thereafter I have to say I really enjoyed the small confit baked poussin with dark chicken broth and bacon. What a culinary experience! I skipped desert completely and headed over to the bar instead. The Daquiri may be a classic, but never quite as good as the one they serve here at Gondolen. Whatever you do, make sure to dine at Gondolen when in Stockholm.
Mr Meatball
Eating and Gondolen
Posted by Mr. Meatball April 11th, 2007
Get ready to roll! Your favourite meatball impersonated is back with another report on eating, drinking, and enjoying life in the wonderful city of Stockholm. This time I can also reveal the true story behind Sven’s latest blog entry.
So I see Sven decided to comment on how he ruined my dinner the other day. There I was, enjoying a fantastic meal at F12, savouring the amazing flavours of my beef carpaccio with artichoke starter – when that fool comes singing and dancing down the street. You should really get a glance of the guy when he swings around the lampposts, it’s as if he thinks it’s musical-day, every day. And then he sits down, talking and talking about singing and dancing. It’s as if he doesn’t understand that I mainly participated due to the incredible possibility to star as a life-size meatball. Oh well, the food WAS excellent I have to say. After that I tried all sorts of excuses but he wouldn’t have any of it, so I agreed to have a drink with him at Café Opera. Next time I’ll make sure to eat at a place where he cannot find me. I’ll let you all know how it proceeds.
Mr Meatball
Eating, Clubbing and F12
