The Oslo vibe

Ever heard about Edvard Munch? Last month, an original of his painting The Scream fetched $120m (£80m) at auction in New York. Read more about Munch and Oslo in The Independent, a rather good article about Oslo I think.

Oslo is like a second home town for me and I get a little bit annoyed of all the tourist traps which is always recommended. What about experiencing the true Oslo? Do the same stuff as people from Oslo would do to enjoy this city. So, here are what to do in Oslo to experience it like a true Oslo citizen:

--> take a walk along Sognsvann lake (maybe even go for a swim) and enjoy the fresh air right outside the city centre

--> go window shopping in Bogstadveien and eat huge and delicious French pastries at United Bakeries

--> have a glass of white wine out in the sun at Bølgen & Moi restaurant, known for their interaction of food, wine and art

--> end the day with slow dining at the Palace Grill. An intimate gourmet restaurant with big personality both in food and presentation. Reservation needed.

--> and of course enjoy a lacy day in one of the public parks in Grünerløkka. If you really want to feel like a Norwegian you will sit down in the park, drink your beer and just gaze at the people passing by. Then you for sure will feel the Oslo vibe.

Want to know more about what to do (or not to do) in Oslo? Leave a comment or just send mail.

Sognsvann (photo: www.cavinguk.co.uk)

Bogstadveien (photo: www.nenyheter.no)

Palace Grill (photo: kathsblogg.blogg.no)

Birkelunden, Grünerløkka (photo: www.riksantikvaren.no)

Bølgen & Moi restaurant (photo: www.bolgenogmoi.no)

Restaurant Solsiden, Oslo

Foto: Solsiden Restaurant

Went to SOLSIDEN ("sunny side") Restaurant in Oslo this weekend. High expectations, maybe too high.

Service: ✰✰✰✰
Food: ✰✰✰
Wine: ✰✰✰✰✰
Atmosphere: ✰✰✰
In total: ✰✰✰✰

SOLSIDEN Restaurant is a seafood restaurant and is said to serve only the best of quality from the coast of Norway. The interior is quite industrial which fits nicely with the concept, and the kitchen is open for every one to see.

We were quit hungry so we ordered 2 appetizers, one main course and one dessert each. The first appetizer were scallops. The scallops in Nice were 10 times better! Truly. The second appetizer, smoked salmon, was fortunately much better than the first. The main course was grilled wild halibut with mashed potatoes . The garnish was really good but the halibut was unfortunately a little bit on the dry side. The dessert was composed of three different pieces, coconut sorbet, creamy banana and soft chocolate fudge, and was for the truly sweet tooth.

The wines we were recommended was amazing and went really well with the food. We started out with a dry Riesling from Robert Weil for the appetizers and had a white Burgundy with a strong aroma suitable for the halibut.

Overall we were quit satisfied at SOLSIDEN but had expected more. Maybe the "sunny side" have been on the lazy side lately?