Fiskebaren

It has been a week since we returned from our family trip to Florida, three sun filled weeks of warmth and relaxation. It was a real treat to spend so long together playing in the pool, enjoying the children's company and watching them flourish as a unit.

Seven days later and aside from sorting out the holiday photographs and unpacking all the summer clothes I have scarcely had time to recollect any other aspects of our trip. How easy it has been to submerge myself once again in the school routine, grateful for the evenings and even more grateful for Friday and a break from being the family chauffeur.

Prior to leaving for vacation, I greeted Friday evening with a weariness that sat heavy on my shoulders, it had been a long week and what I really and truly needed was a fabulous evening in the company of a great friend.

Kødbyens Fiskebar, in the heart of the former meatpacking district was our destination. Although we hadn't booked a table, which is recommended due to the popularity of the restaurant, we were very fortunately welcomed inside to enjoy a meal at the bar which suited us just fine. Finding plenty of space to people watch we ordered two cocktails, they were outstanding. Fresh, sharp, blackcurranty and excellent for diluting the stress of the week.

The menu was temptingly good and it was almost impossible for me to decide what to eat so I was very happy for my friend to lead the way with recommendations as she had been before. As the conversation flowed our waiter returned and we ordered the following, Sikrom, North Atlantic Roe served with crisp bread and red onions. Two portions of Trout, fresh from Southern Jutland, served as a tartare, accompanied by roasted pearl barley and herbs, mustard and capers. For main course Fish and chips and white fish, celariac, and roasted rye bread.

Although we could have talked for hours without food, the starters arrived and they were delicious, the fish roe was beautifully presented nestled amongst it's neighbours the onion and the chive,  once scooped up as a mouthful with a piece of cracker bread the combination danced on the taste buds. The trout tartare was just as good and certainly not meant for sharing, fresh as could be, each mouthful as wonderful as the first.

By now my week had dissolved into my cocktail glass and I felt gratefully like myself again. Our conversation was punctuated delightfully by the man opposite who had been enjoying his view for some time, as we enjoyed our main courses he suddenly appeared at my friend's side and enquired eagerly about her 'fish and chips'. He obviously did not move beyond admiration but he added even more laughter to an already pleasurable evening.

Time for dessert, Lilleø mousse served with the best sorbet I had ever tasted, punctuated by pockets of apple, fennel and sorrel, it was superb. A selection of chocolates, handmade by Thomas each one of which was quite delicious and the perfect end to the meal.
Our waiter was charming, always with a smile and happy to answer any question we had. I did try to take a picture of him for this piece but it did not do him justice so he will forever remain anonymous but fondly remembered.

Thankfully that Friday ended not as it began, I left Fiskebaren feeling at least ten years younger and fully recharged. The meal was superb, the conversation endless and a repeat almost certain. Thank goodness for Fiskebaren, Friday's and Friendship.

www.fiskebaren.dk