Andrew T.
Yelp
Pretty great food. At the expert recommendation of Tine V, I stopped here on my last night in Oslo for a "splurge" meal. Housed in an unassuming building with almost all windows facing west, located right under Akershus on the seaside, if only it hadn't been a little overcast tonight, I would have been treated to a great sunset during dinner.
I started out with the confit of king crab. This was a little underwhelming. I'm not sure what made it confit, but it was basically a few slices of leg meat, a sort of "crab meat salad" and white and green asparagus with some greens and a little vinaigrette. It wasn't bad, it just didn't grab me as I was eating it the way that it grabbed me when I read it off the menu. The flavors were fine, but I was expecting something a bit more interesting.
But no fear, because the redfish with shrimp and octopus, risoni (which I know as orzo), and "shellfish sauce" was pretty awesome. The fish was rich and meaty, almost like a monkfish. Good flavor without being overpowering. Along with that were several chunks of grilled octopus, the texture of which I love, and the grilled flavor was great. There was a nice large helping of orzo, and in with that were a good helping of tender shrimp, all of which was bathed in what I would almost call a rich seafood stock. It was a little foamy when served, so I almost got excited that there was foam...but no. It was just the broth. Alongside of this was a nice, undressed salad with strips of softened chilled fennel bulb. I dig that fennel in salad is a trend now, because it's really delicious. Especially cooked, with it's mild flavor, I love it in with greens.
Service was quick and friendly, and English menus were, as has been the case everywhere (so I am not sure why I keep mentioning it), not a problem. Nor was my signature only credit card - because it seems like many places are not able to handle a card that requires a signature, I've been carrying around a stupid amount of cash on this trip, and have been bleeding it down these last couple days so I don't have to change it back to dollars and eat another transaction fee on the deal. So I needed the card tonight.
I would totally come back here, but doubt I'll have the change for a long time. I wish I had come with someone, because people tucking in to the huge seafood platter looked like they were having an amazing meal as well.