3 minute read
Mouthwatering food experiences
Mouthwatering food experiences
Whether you want rustic homemade food, playful dishes of local produce, or you love to combine tasteful food with great wine; Colonialen has three different restaurants that guarantee a wonderful dining experience.
The food and wine bar plays with tastes and dishes from all over the world, and the large wooden bar in the center can fit up to 30 people.
Photo by Jonas Bostrøm
Colonialen Restaurant was established at Engen in Bergen in 2005 by the couple Laila Skorge and her husband Ken Petter Skorge-Kristiansen. Laila had a passion for the restaurant industry, while her husband, who had lived six months in Italy, wanted to open a deli that sold quality cheese and cured meats.
This resulted in a twofold concept with a gourmet restaurant and a deli in the basement. In 2013 they shut down the restaurant, and opened a new one in Kong Oscars gate 44. The restaurant also changed their name to Colonialen 44. Last fall they wanted to reinvent the concept and create a more simple and down to earth restaurant.
– We made a simpler four-course menu. 44 has a strong focus on food and wine in combination that will create a tasteful experience. With a solid wine list with several hundred wines, and a range of different biodynamic and natural wine, the possibilities are many, Skorge says.
Colonialen 44 has a strong focus on food and wine in combination, and a solid wine list with several hundred wines.
Photo by Helge Hansen & Jonas Bostrøm
In the same house as Colonialen 44, with its own entrance, is their food and wine bar. They share their wine list with 44, and plays with tastes and dishes from all over the world. The dark wooden furniture and green plants create a warm atmosphere, and the large wooden bar in the centre can fit up to 30 people.
SEASONAL AND LOCAL PRODUCE
Laila and Ken Petter has expanded their concept a lot over the years, and now own three restaurants, two delis and one bakery. The newest addition to the family is Colonialen Kranen, a restaurant located in Solheimsviken.
The location offers a gorgeous view of the fjord – nicely framed by the city mountains. With glass walls on all sides, this is a magical place to sit. Here you can escape the weather on rough days, and when the sun is shining, Colonialen Kranen has a large outdoor dining area, right on the seafront.
The concept consists of classic but modern low-threshold food, seasonal with a focus on local produce.
Photo by Jonas Bostrøm
– The crane is a more playful place where we play with flavors and combinations to a greater extent. Here we have a creative kitchen that experiments with different menus. Here we also lead a concept called “the kitchen decides” where one can choose between hungry or a little hungry. The guests don’t know what they will be served, but can clearly set limits for allergies and what they do not like, Skorgen comments.
RUSTIC SPIRIT
Their restaurant at Litteraturhuset is a classic brasserie that offers traditional, rustic and generous dishes inspired by Nordic and continental traditions.
– All the food is made from scratch in all our restaurants, and there are great chefs in every kitchen. It’s always rustic, and never any quick solutions. This is a craftsmanship. At Litteraturhuset there is a large à la carte menu to choose from, as well as a large breakfast and lunch menu. All the dishes have a rustic spirit, but are inspired by the times. Now there is a strong desire for vegetarian food, and that influences the menu. But here, the packaging will always be rustic home cooking and everyday food, says Skorge.
Photo by Helge Hansen & Jonas Bostrøm
If you are looking for good quality cheeses and cured meats, the delis in both Strandgaten and Paradis is worth looking into. Here they also sell light food from breakfast time, such as sandwiches, and planks with cheeses and cured meat. They also sell high quality oils, balsamico and preserves as well as other mouthwatering foods. If you have a sweet tooth, they also sell home made baked goods from their own bakery. ▗
