"One of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon is browsing the exhibition spaces at the American Swedish Institute, in part because I begin each visit atFika, its Nordic-inspired café helmed by chef Blake Meier. The fresh-baked cardamom buns are quick to disappear, so I start there, then move on to juniper-spiced Swedish meatballs (way better than those bouncy orbs from Ikea) or smörgåsar: open- face sandwiches on Danish rye with seasonal toppings. And to drink? The Bloody Swede, with Minnesota-made Skaalvenn aquavit and earthy beet brine." - ByAshlea Halpern