Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

Sturehof is the kind of place that you would like to go anytime of the day or night; initially the sheer size of the place overwhelms you, and then you observe people from all walks of life streaming in, adding to the general bonhomie. It’s almost always bustling and busy and, if the prospect of an al fresco meal seems tempting, just step outside where the outdoor air and could perhaps build an appetite. Some may agree that pausing between mouthfuls to people-watch is welcome to the digestion.

Sturehof has come a long way from when it first started as a beer hall more than 100 years ago. Things have changed greatly for the better and the impressive glass wall that separates the downstairs bar from the main eating space is the only thing that remains from the now-extinct 1930s interior. The dining area is a more formal affair with crisp white table cloths, wooden panels and distinctive light fixtures.

Seafood is certainly the main draw here and starters of cured salmon with a sweet dill and mustard sauce, shellfish cocktail with tomato vinaigrette and vendace roe from Vänern with butter-fried toast, red onion and Smetana – soured heavy cream - grace the daily changing menu. Meaty main courses are a subtle explosion of flavours with boiled fresh brisket of beef drowned in a horseradish sauce, grilled entrecôte with béarnaise and tenderized beef with bean salad, bacon and red wine butter, all smacking of bovine goodness.

Extending the maritime emphasis fish is one dish that cannot be sidelined at Sturehof, especially when it includes such delights as poached lightly salted cod with prawns, fried Baltic herring, broiled cured pollack and lemon sole on the bone with mushrooms, charlotte onion and browned butter. Shellfish also takes its place under the sun and consider choices like the oyster platter or the shellfish platter of ½ Maine lobster, prawns, Dublin Bay prawns, crab and Fine de Claire.

For a meal such as this desserts should be nothing but remarkable, and the taste of almond parfait with berries and sour cream pannacotta with rhubarb soup could linger long after this highly satisfying and beautifully prepared meal. With over 600 wines, the drinks list certainly commands respect and is sure to hold something to delight every palate.

After dinner party-hoppers will definitely be attracted to the pulsating vibe at the O-bar upstairs keeping in tune with Stockholm’s vibrant nightlife. They also feature a couple of live performances every week from some famous and not-yet-famous artists.

Parisians in Stockholm may be overwhelmed with a sense of déjà vu when they step in to Riche, which literally breathes character akin to Café Riche on Boulevard des Italiens in Paris. Although it began life way back in 1896, it was only until the 1930s that it took on a more practical design and the grill was opened to the right of the building's entrance.

Designed on the lines of its French counterpart, the elegant gold framed mirrors and crystal chandeliers speak opulence and the atmosphere is one that makes both bourgeoisie and the officer class feel at home. Large windows and high ceilings bring in a spacious feel and the furniture is functional and minimalist in style.

The cooking remains open to foreign influences, and sways the French brasserie way at times, yet it is heartening to find many old school Swedish dishes, take the pata negra de Salamanca for instance; this Iberian cured ham from Spain, is touchingly referred to as finger food, and there is also chorizo bruschetta with tomato marmalade.

Lovers of seafood may find it hard to tame their cravings as they mull over the starters section - half dozen snails Provençal, assorted marinated herrings, garlic seared baby squid, vendace roe and smoked eel with scrambled eggs - all waiting to be enjoyed. For others it could be Danish open sandwiches or lukewarm beetroots and vegetables with chévre terrine.

The main dishes could get you humming with excitement as the sight of sautéed cubed fillet of beef, olive and pistachio stuffed spring chicken with asparagus, and fried soured pork with parsley creamed potatoes all beckon. Again those with a penchant for anything related to the sea would probably love the grilled halibut with lobster wrapped clams, white sand asparagus and chive aioli, and pike-perch in paper with lemon verbena and nettle risotto.

The not-so-chocolatey dessert menu features a boozy lemon crème brûlée with licorice stirred raspberries and chocolate cheesecake with marinated nectarines. The well traversed wine list includes bins from Austria, Hungary, Canada and US while Old World wines are not entirely forgotten.

Riche is very often described as a place to see and be seen in Stockholm and combined with watching the chefs wowing the crowds with their cooking and the buzzing atmosphere every evening and on weekends this surely has to warrant a visit to such a lively place.

Meravigliosa? The name means 'wonderful' and is an Italian restaurant with influences chiefly from northern Italy. The Italian kitchen can be a true blessing, but one has to leave the ordinary pasta and enter the realm of truffles, cheese, wine, clams, fine spaghetti and mushrooms to really understand that. With ambitions set sky high Meravigliosa never compromise in the kitchen to provide a dining experience far out of the ordinary. Experience chefs strive to charm the taste buds with an exciting mix of tastes from all over the world. At Meravigliosa the menu follows the seasons.

Aubergine opened its doors for the first time in the autumn of 1994 at Ostermalm and has been serving delicious meals ever since. We seek to give our guests a friendly and tasty experience in an open and warm atmosphere both at the bar and the restaurant. The cooking Mediterranean inspired and based on the finest Swedish ingredients.

After just a few visits to Gerdas Fiskrestaurang you cannot help but recognise many of their customers. However, there is nothing surprising in that as the food is something one is happy to return to. Here today's catch of fish and shellfish is served in a taste sensation that is based on knowledge and care; at the first visit, it will become something you want to return to. It is not to wonder that they have been a hub for fish and shellfish lovers. The restaurant is found in Östermalms Saluhall in Stockholm.