Victoria E.
Yelp
Sealed envelope contain that evening's menu. Open at your own risk. How do you get a French Laundry or Per Se equivalent meal at a fractional cost (2/1 to 3/4 of its cost)? Go to Norway of course.
Norway, as it turned out, as one of the last countries for me to visit in Scandinavia, turned out to be my most favourite. Despite my long standing connection with Sweden and its people, I find, Norwegian people are friendlier, cuisine more intriguing, and price point, not nearly as expensive as it is reputed to be.
Restaurant 1877 is perfection. It's on your way to the Funicular, Bergen's most visited spot, so you have no excuse to miss it.
Make reservation ahead of time. Get the wine pairing. Every course is explained to you in the same demeanor and style as Per Se and French Laundry, Wine paired with the food is interesting and unusual, all from Europe. My favorites are the German desert wine, and French red, but the Portuguese white is interesting as well. The decor of the restaurant shows dark wood matched with eclectic vintage collectables that felt more Burgundy, France and Rothenburg, Germany than Scandinavia.
I did compare it to French Laundry, so you know this will be one of the more expensive meals you'd have in Norway, but it's completely worth your every shining penny. Umami at it's best. And may I recommend the fish du jour option? It's freshly fished out the fjords near Bergen by one of the fourteen chartered fishing boats, never frozen, always same day delivery, and I won't lie, you can't get closer to heaven after a meal like this.