Ex Pat life brings a new perspective to friendship. At home one has time to cultivate friends gradually, building a solid foundation upon which a history of conversation and events can be shared and remembered fondly. Friendships that wind themselves gently around extended families creating a comforting background to everyday life. Here this is not so much the case, certainly when we arrived in Copenhagen most families were here for three years and no longer, as indeed were we. Friendships can feel cut off earlier than one would hope.
Thankfully we have made a great many friends here in Copenhagen from all cultures and communities. Some will be a friend for life whilst others will be a friend for a shorter period until relocations take us away from each other and new networks replace old and actually that becomes fine too. The typical three year placement means that more emphasis is placed on getting to know one another quickly and enjoying time together in a way that perhaps one doesn't when that sense of urgency is removed.
Last night was a night for welcoming back a dear friend who left Copenhagen an unbelievable two years ago. A friend with whom all of us around the table were able to reconnect and enjoy a dinner together, without necessarily knowing each other all that well or indeed at all, not that it mattered. The location for this reunion was Frankies Køkken, situated next to a canal in central Copenhagen.
Frankies Køkken is part of the Madklubben restaurant group. Serving a concise menu of modern Danish food made from traditional Danish ingredients, Frankies Køkken endeavours to provide a comfortable eating experience at a great price.
We were shown to our table and having chosen our seats we eagerly began to select our meals. You can choose between a three course menu for 200 dkk or enjoy four courses for 250 dkk. There is also a list of snacks to choose from whilst you enjoy a pre dinner drink. Thus ordered our drinks arrived, we had requested among other things an Elderflower cordial and of course some water which a little surprisingly came not from Denmark but instead England and Norway respectively.
I suspect that we were the loudest table in the house last night such was the laughter than emanated from our group as we thoroughly enjoyed the retelling of anecdotes of old and heard about life in a culture far removed from our own. Thankfully the environment lent itself to events and at times it felt as though we were not in a busy restaurant in the heart of a capital city but in one of our homes sitting around the family table. The food was served on a charming mismatch of crockery which also lent a touch of the home to the general ambience.
Dinner was served and we started with if I remember correctly, Prosciutto accompanied by bread and a savoy cabbage soup with chicken livers. Very tasty and very welcome. There was an extended break between the first course and the second which wasn't a problem as we were so engrossed in conversation but I suspect if your evening isn't quite so rewarding it might have felt a little too long. For main course we predominately had the fish of the day which was Kolmulen served on a bed of spidskal and cauliflower puree, also very delicious. If I return which I do plan to do, I would be very curious to order the Sommerbræt, a selection of meats and homemade goodies.
I am always delighted when my dining companions suggest having dessert, you can never be too sure if others will oblige and it is not so fun to be the only dessert girl at the table. Thankfully and I do mean thankfully we all finished the meal together and I therefore enjoyed a raspberry sorbet accompanied by white chocolate, almond crumble and tarragon.
All too quickly the end of the meal arrived and it was time to bid a fond farewell to all. To a much loved friend with whom we will easily resume conversation the next time we meet. With friends we may not see so often but who are still an important part of our story here in Copenhagen and to the friends with whom we will hopefully create many more anecdotes to share across the table in the years to come.
Oh and of course to the Ferret who sat eavesdropping on our conversation all evening!
www.bistrobooking.dk
Thankfully we have made a great many friends here in Copenhagen from all cultures and communities. Some will be a friend for life whilst others will be a friend for a shorter period until relocations take us away from each other and new networks replace old and actually that becomes fine too. The typical three year placement means that more emphasis is placed on getting to know one another quickly and enjoying time together in a way that perhaps one doesn't when that sense of urgency is removed.
Last night was a night for welcoming back a dear friend who left Copenhagen an unbelievable two years ago. A friend with whom all of us around the table were able to reconnect and enjoy a dinner together, without necessarily knowing each other all that well or indeed at all, not that it mattered. The location for this reunion was Frankies Køkken, situated next to a canal in central Copenhagen.
Frankies Køkken is part of the Madklubben restaurant group. Serving a concise menu of modern Danish food made from traditional Danish ingredients, Frankies Køkken endeavours to provide a comfortable eating experience at a great price.
We were shown to our table and having chosen our seats we eagerly began to select our meals. You can choose between a three course menu for 200 dkk or enjoy four courses for 250 dkk. There is also a list of snacks to choose from whilst you enjoy a pre dinner drink. Thus ordered our drinks arrived, we had requested among other things an Elderflower cordial and of course some water which a little surprisingly came not from Denmark but instead England and Norway respectively.I suspect that we were the loudest table in the house last night such was the laughter than emanated from our group as we thoroughly enjoyed the retelling of anecdotes of old and heard about life in a culture far removed from our own. Thankfully the environment lent itself to events and at times it felt as though we were not in a busy restaurant in the heart of a capital city but in one of our homes sitting around the family table. The food was served on a charming mismatch of crockery which also lent a touch of the home to the general ambience.
Dinner was served and we started with if I remember correctly, Prosciutto accompanied by bread and a savoy cabbage soup with chicken livers. Very tasty and very welcome. There was an extended break between the first course and the second which wasn't a problem as we were so engrossed in conversation but I suspect if your evening isn't quite so rewarding it might have felt a little too long. For main course we predominately had the fish of the day which was Kolmulen served on a bed of spidskal and cauliflower puree, also very delicious. If I return which I do plan to do, I would be very curious to order the Sommerbræt, a selection of meats and homemade goodies.
I am always delighted when my dining companions suggest having dessert, you can never be too sure if others will oblige and it is not so fun to be the only dessert girl at the table. Thankfully and I do mean thankfully we all finished the meal together and I therefore enjoyed a raspberry sorbet accompanied by white chocolate, almond crumble and tarragon.
All too quickly the end of the meal arrived and it was time to bid a fond farewell to all. To a much loved friend with whom we will easily resume conversation the next time we meet. With friends we may not see so often but who are still an important part of our story here in Copenhagen and to the friends with whom we will hopefully create many more anecdotes to share across the table in the years to come.
Oh and of course to the Ferret who sat eavesdropping on our conversation all evening!
www.bistrobooking.dk
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