Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki

Oh, just about anything that's 17th-19th century - buildings, artwork, parks, history.

Also interested in theater, music, and dance; again, the more classical, the better.

Jim is not interested in ancient history or modern art... but I am; I can have a day or an afternoon to myself, too.

ETA: Jim wants me to say that he also likes some 20th C art (e.g., Mucha) and is interested in some 20th C events (e.g., we had a fascinating visit to the House of Terror in Budapest).
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Stockholm will be fun for you then. Take a long walk in the old city (Gamla stan) and that should keep you occupied! Then there are some great museums in Stockholm: armémuseet (army museum), medelhavsmuseet (Mediterranean museum), Vin och sprithistoriska museet (wine and spirits museum) and the royal textile museum in the cellars of the royal palace are all world class museums IMO. There are dozens of small, specialist museums in and around the old city.

And for some great beer and "classic" Scandinavian pub food, go to Akkurat and order their strömming (herring). I can't help with wine stuff in Stockholm, sorry!

Helsinki, sadly, won't be as interesting (though if you do come here, we should meet up for a glass or three!). The only must see destination I can think of is the Suomenlinna fortress island just outside of Helsinki (ferries go there several times an hour so it's easy to visit). And if you want something natural instead of museums, the Nuuksio national park is within the borders of greater Helsinki and is also easily reachable by public transport and might be of interest if you don't have experience with northern forests and lakes!

If you like architecture, Alvar Aalto designed many buildings here (I'm not too fond of him, however!). The classical music scene here is really good and I'm pretty sure I can find some good concerts or opera or ballet for you once you figure out what days you'll be here.

The Atheneum, National Museum and the Amos Anderson museums are ok, but not on the level of Stockholm's museums.

For food, here's my short list of the best: Chef & Sommelier, Farang, Spis and ASK. Farang does Southeast Asian food, the others are all modern Nordic.
 
Otto, thank you very much. All your suggestions sound excellent. And I certainly do hope to raise a few glasses with you. (So, tell me what good stuff I will have to go see in Helsinki without my partner?)

Dot, don't worry. We were in Holland for the green herring one year and we won't miss these.
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
We were in Holland for the green herring one year and we won't miss these.
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Unrelated. Not even distant cousins.
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
Otto, thank you very much. All your suggestions sound excellent. And I certainly do hope to raise a few glasses with you. (So, tell me what good stuff I will have to go see in Helsinki without my partner?)
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The National Museum has a pretty good exhibit on the prehistory of Finland - but we don't have as interesting early history or prehistory as e.g. Iraq, Egypt, Greece and Italy did so there's not much to see there! And for modern art? Kiasma is our modern art museum and it seems to be fairly well regarded judging by reviews. But really, I have to ask my friends for suggestions because I am struggling to come up with interesting stuff! I've lived here now for 15 years so I should know more about Helsinki - perhaps I will try to spend a couple days here as a tourist instead of going about business as usual and then hopefully I can give better advice.
 
originally posted by SFJoe:
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:


Any experience with the birch wine?
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Wow, cool.

No one really does that with maples, do they? Maple mead? What would you call it?
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Yes, people make mead with both the sap and maple syrup. The term du jour is "acerglyn," but it is a made up word like the term "capscimel" used to describe pepper meads; useful, I guess, but simultaneously contrived.

The best alcoholic products from maple I have found have been the work of Andre Abi Raad at Intermiel in Quebec. I do not believe they are imported into the US yet.
 
originally posted by SFJoe:
originally posted by Ken Schramm:


The best alcoholic products from maple I have found...
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Those are best, are they anything you'd want to drink twice?
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Yes. Maybe not twice a week, but yes. His Maple Liquors are fine digestifs. I have also cooked with them - stuff like grilled peaches basted/glazed with the Gelinotte. That and the Geai Bleu are great with ice cream, too, but my life has moved me away from that treat.

Andre's real strength is in his meads. The black currant and cranberry/rose petal meads are delicious.
 
take a day trip out to louisiana in humlebaek. it's a beautiful museum with some stunning spaces. i think the hockney grand canyon piece displayed in a bob irwin-designed room takes the cake. except for the giacometti in its own enormous room overlooking a pond: http://www.flavourcountryfeedlot.com/2010/05/enough-room-for-giacometti.html

the birch beer at noma is quite nice, but not particularly birchy. refreshing though. there is some variation across different batches so ymmv. they have horiot's rose de riceys on the list too, and that'll carry you through a late summer/early fall meal there.

other places:
- mikkeller's bar on viktoriagade in vesterbro has an excellent selection of beers from around the world on draft (both his own and from his brewernerd pals), a huge bottle list with many rarities, and fair prices. also, open early and late.
- ved stranden. my favourite wine bar anywhere. christian and staff are friendly and hospitable to a fault. and their selection is interesting and delicious. also just a beautiful space.
- frederiks have in frederiksberg
- kodbyens fiskebaren
- relae is also great.

eat a lot of herring, try the huge range of cultured milk products. and if you can lay your hands on the sweet cider from rytzebaekgaard, don't hesitate for even a moment.

ping me closer to the date if you need other recs.
 
Thank you, Vaughan. Lots of good ideas in your post. (Love the look of Ved Stranden 10 and F. Have. The Rytzbaekgaard website doesn't say much but I'll keep my eyes open.)

We are definitely diving in with the herring.

How many different kinds of cultured milk products do you have? I can name a bunch but I'm always eager to hear about more of them... dairy fat is a wonderful thing, perhaps only bested by pork fat.
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
Thank you, Vaughan. Lots of good ideas in your post. (Love the look of Ved Stranden 10 and F. Have. The Rytzbaekgaard website doesn't say much but I'll keep my eyes open.)

We are definitely diving in with the herring.

How many different kinds of cultured milk products do you have? I can name a bunch but I'm always eager to hear about more of them... dairy fat is a wonderful thing, perhaps only bested by pork fat.
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I can't support the Ved Stranden rec strongly enough. I think I posted about it last year. Manfreds, owned by the Relae people, and is across the street from Relae, is also not to be missed.
 
I have been lurking on this bored for a good while and I now feel compelled to contribute with some useful tips on what to do in Oslo. The must see attractions include the Munch Museum, the museums at Bygdøy (Kon-Tiki and Polar museum), The National Gallery and The Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art are all great.

Visit the Vinmonopolet at Vika if you want to find some exciting wines.

Oslo's boroughs have a lot to offer in terms of ambience and value compared with the city centre.

Grunerløkka (Hipstertown) Schous Bryggeri (Brewpub - no food), Dr. Keipps (Wine bar), and Mathallen a food market which tries to emulate Mercat de La Boqueria. Trattoria Populare for good Italian and Trancher for dry aged meat.

Grønland (Hipster/international) Maaemo is probably Norways best restaurant and is comparable to Noma. It is hard to get a reservation but it is well worth the effort.

Oslo Vest (Posh side of town) Bagatelle is under new management and I recommend the Bistro and the gourmet restaurant, Alex Sushi (Great sushi), Palace Grill, and Cru which has a reasonably priced wine list.

Holmenkollen - Restaurant Grefsenkollen (Excellent view).

Bærum - Strand Restaurant

Aker Brygge has all the tourist traps but there are some good restaurants. Onda and Hanami are pricey but good. Solsiden great seafood.

Bislett & St. Hanshaugen - St. Lars, Smalhans and Tranen for unpretentious food with a Norwegian flare.

City Centre - Baltazhar for excellent Italian food, Fjord for great seafood, and Stattholdergården if you want the Michelin experience. Oro is under new management and it looks very promising.

Please revert to me if you have any questions.
 
Zetor

I participated in a drinking game here involving a beverage called Kosenkorva. Not wishing to embarrass my hosts by dying of alcohol poisoning, I withdrew from the competition early on.

There is also the restaurants-on-islands thing, which is a tourist gimmick but nonetheless enjoyable.

My favorite sauna was the one at the Intercontinental,which was on the top floor of the hotel ("Why do Americans always put them in the basement?" I was asked...) where you can roast yourself then enjoy a beer and a session with Scrub Lady, who has you disrobe and then sprays you with hot water and beats the crap out of you with loofahs and whatnot.
 
originally posted by David Erickson:
Helsinki (NWR)Zetor

I participated in a drinking game here involving a beverage called Kosenkorva. Not wishing to embarrass my hosts by dying of alcohol poisoning, I withdrew from the competition early on.
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Koskenkorva is a vodka, in other words what in Finland is considered a white wine.
 
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