I've had the pleasure of being part of numerous conversations about food and the art of eating this week, it is after all my favorite topic. On Tuesday my eldest came home from school with two recipe books as his library choices because he wanted us to cook together. We have a delicious cheesecake to enjoy with our lunch today thanks to his efforts yesterday. Our TV choice of the week is The Supersizers, two journalists revisit points in history and spend a week consuming the food from that era, it is informative, revolting at times and very funny, the boys love seeing what the Romans ate and are quite incredulous at some of the dishes. They are, thankfully, children without fuss at the table and mealtimes are one of my most treasured moments with them as we talk whilst sometimes adopting accents from our past, (dinner in Geordie is always very funny). I just accept that when all is eaten I will send them to the bathroom to wash their faces whilst I use the hoover on the floor.
Mid week I read an article titled French Children Don't Throw Food and my heart sank just a little. According to a new book by Pamela Druckerman, French children have exquisite table manners, they enjoy their varied cuisine and converse with the most beautiful accent of them all! Now, I do accept that mine are not the tidiest of eaters and neither are they French, although the little one can always be relied on for an "ooh la la" should he be excited about something! However, I like a challenge and so it was that I set off with a friend and our two year old boys for breakfast. Our destination was The Laundromat Cafe on Elmegade in Norrebro, this the original, opened in 2004 but there are now two others in the city. We easily found parking on the street behind and with hunger in our stomachs we may our way into the friendly, comfortable environment. It is worth taking at look at their website as everything is explained in both Danish and English and you'll get an early taste of the uniqueness of the brand.
Should you need to use a launderette I can think of nowhere better to do so, there are machines available for a load or two that can happily deal with the weeks wash. All the while leaving you to enjoy a home cooked breakfast, brunch or to simply have a cappuccino as you browse the internet on the free wireless. The bar is a work of art with 6000 books arranged by colour, purchasable if you happen to be gripped by a novel as the wash tumbles its way to freshness.
We found a table in the corner and seated the toddlers in available highchairs, we had not bought enough toys for them to play with and an early lesson in the art of sharing took place before we ordered our breakfast. One car each and thankfully our drinks arrived, the perfect distraction. I had ordered an orange juice for my boy and a hot chocolate for myself, both were delicious. My friend ordered a hot chocolate for herself and proceeded to lose it to her toddler for the duration of our stay, he was admirably French in his efforts and used a spoon to consume the smooth rich liquid. We had both ordered the 'dirty brunch' which included eggs, bacon, spicy sausage, tomato and potato, Greek yoghurt with muesli and a pot of homemade chocolate spread for our bread. It was all very tasty and I must say the bacon was the nicest I have had since arriving in Denmark, delicious.
I would like to say that the boys behaved beautifully, eating their breakfast with cutlery, wiping the merest smear of egg from their mouths with a napkin and politely thanking their mothers for a wonderful breakfast outing. Alas it was my child who proceeded to consume two pots of butter with a spoon whilst dipping his car into the yoghurt. His dining companion would have happily climbed into his mummy's hot chocolate, so content when it was in his hands, or indeed, by the end when his hands were literally in the cup. A moment or two collecting remnants from the floor, I presume they fell involuntarily and I recall no throwing. We would both very much recommend The Laundromat for a mid week visit, you'll find a hearty wholesome breakfast to start the day with and a welcoming environment for children who are learning to eat beautifully at the table.
I shall continue to work on my boys at home, I am sure we can have less food on faces and more in tummies and although I do not expect them to converse in French by 2013 all conversation at the dinner table is still welcomed. As the little one would say..."Ooh la la"
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