Scandinavian restaurant in NYC?

[niia]

Used to love dining at the old Copenhagen restaurant in the fifties on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, it's long gone. Aside from Aquavit, is there a restaurant that serves this kind of fare? Smorgaasbord (spelling?), lots herring, vodka in ice, etc. Swedish mother is visiting for the holidays and would love to take her to a great spot - if one exists. Thanks!

[vegivore]

This is probably too late to help the original poster, but...

Fika has some scandanavian inspired sandwiches.

http://www.fikanyc.com/

I haven't eaten there, so I can't vouch for how good it is, but AQ cafe?

http://www.aqkafe.com/menus.html

Also, a branch of a danish restaurant called Aamanns is supposed to open this fall.

http://tribecacitizen.com/2011/07/14/aamann-in-new-york/

And, not a restaurant, but there's a relatively new Scandanavian candy place called Sockerbit on christopher street.

https://www.sockerbit.com/inspiration...

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AQ Kafe
1800 Broadway, New York, NY 10019

Fika
407 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016

Sockerbit
89 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014

Aamanns
13 Laight St, New York, NY 10013

[tartlette]

I'm not getting the positive reviews here for Smorgas Chef. We were in the neighborhood the other night and decided to try it because my husband is Norwegian. It seems there are only two reasons to dine here - you eat out a lot and don't mind overspending for underwhelming bistro food, or you are distracted by the charming decor and the two-pages-long specialty drinks menu, all fruity and syrupy and cleverly-named. The food is passable but is essentially the same generic fare one finds everywhere in the West Village, made distinct only through the addition of ingredients one could find on the shelf (lingonberry jam) or in the freezer case (Swedish meatballs) of any Ikea. Yes, the herring sampler was good, but I've gotten as good out of a jar. Yes, the pan-seared diver scallops were good, but there were too few of them hidden among a pile of potatoes and plain ho-hum white mushrooms. (Potatoes, too much, are in almost every dish.) Yes, the servers were pleasant, but it took ten minutes just to get menus. Yes, they had a fine and refreshing brand of Swedish vodka, but there was little else of interest among the beers and wines available. Was it worth the 3-digit bill? No. Would we go there again? No.

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Smorgas Chef
283 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

[michelleats]

Right. I concur, tartlette. This place is close to me, so I've been a few times, and kicked myself for going back, each time. The food is enjoyable in the same way that IKEA's cafeteria food is enjoyable, but it is not, in all honesty, very much better. It's certainly not good enough to justify the prices though I do have to note that the decor is very cute.

[foodwhisperer]

Smorgas chef looked like it is closed for good,i passed there last week and noticed

[Geo8rge]

http://www.scandinaviahouse.org/cafe....

[niia]

I started this post, so thanks for the suggestions. Asiansupper posted the Vandaag link above and I read the excellent review in today's NY Times today and I thought it was a good possibility. Deemed as Dutch in origin, I noticed herring, grav lax and other Scandinavian types of fare. Menu looks really innovative.

[asiansupper]

And another, though not sure how Scandinavian it is ... White Slab Palace - owners of the former Good World. Just read about a Scandy market they have right next to WSP.

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White Slab Palace
77 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002

[uwsgrazer]

Where did you end up going? I'm looking for Scandinavian restaurant ideas. Smorgas Chef's menu looks more appealing / extensive than Vandaag's. But the more negative feedback that surfaced later in this thread makes me pause and want to look for other options.

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Smorgas Chef
58 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Vandaag
103 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

[MMRuth]

I know the OP said "other than Aquavit" but have you tried the cafe there?

[uwsgrazer]

Yes, but we'd be looking for something a bit more casual (less of a name, if that makes sense) and at a somewhat lower price point, for this occasion.

[MMRuth]

Understood -- just thought I'd check!

[asiansupper]

Just found out about this place on another thread

Vandaag
http://www.vandaagnyc.com/

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Vandaag
103 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

[nynjfoodie]

I love Aquavit and Smorgas, but I remember when IKEA first opened in NJ, I used to love going there for the cafe (I was much younger then...). I've heard of people doing the same now that there's also an IKEA in Brooklyn. Seriously, google "IKEA Brooklyn restaurant" and see what pops up.

[rdnnyc]

There is Smorgas Chef which has three locations. I've been to the one in the West Village and enjoyed it. Herring is on the menu...

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Smorgas Chef
283 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

[Elizabeth E.]

Another location of Smorgas Chef is in Scandinavia House on Park Avenue a few blocks south of Grand Central. I have been meaning to try it, would like to hear any CH reports.

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Smorgas Chef
58 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016

[gnomatic]

I had dinner at Smorgas Chef in Scandinavia House last year, got the set menu. The food and atmosphere was excellent (it was just before Christmas). Can't recall exactly what I ordered, but the Seafood chowder was excellent.

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Smorgas Chef
58 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016

[gloriousfood]

+1 and excellent meatballs.

[foodwhisperer]

The herring is good at the Smorgas Chef W. Village. So are most of the dishes I had.
Search Results
CONTACT - Smorgas Chef.com--Fine Scandinavian Cuisine
Smörgås Chef West Village is located on 283 W. 12th Street (crossing West 4th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues). HOURS: DINNER: ...

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Smorgas Chef
283 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014

[hazelhurst]

I am following this closely...back in the gas-log, hobble-skirt era, I loved the old Gripsholm at 324 E.57th. Long gone, but lots of fun.