Restaurants of the Month

Restaurant of the Month, Sweden A celebration of Vietnamese cuisine

Head to CHiÔi for an authentic Vietnamese lunch or dinner – the carefully prepared dishes make for a culinary experience on another level. Or, stop by just to enjoy the vibe, great music and some tasty cocktails with friends.

By Malin Norman | Photos: CHiÔi

Stockholm city has a new Vietnamese restaurant, CHiÔi, and it is a real treat. The owners are Vietnamese: one was born in Sweden, while other came to Sweden for the first time as a 15-yearold. They have both been in the industry for a long time, share a passion for food, and longed for an opportunity to offer Stockholm authentic Vietnamese food in a modern and urban setting.

Since it opened last year, CHiÔi has been praised by both customers and reviewers. In a review for SvD, journalist Viggo Cavling described the restaurant as “a glowing colourful lantern”, and applauded the fresh and tasty lunch. One of Sweden’s most popular travel blogs, Matochresebloggen.se, paid a visit and was equally impressed by the well-prepared Vietnamese food, as well as the atmosphere and friendly staff. Opening in the middle of the pandemic was certainly a challenge, but the restaurant received fantastic response from the very start and the business has grown steadily. CHiÔi opened at a time when people wanted to go out again, to enjoy tasty food in a nice atmosphere. Here, they can also experience an authentic restaurant born from the love of Vietnamese food and culture.

Next level of Vietnamese cuisine A meal at CHiÔi feels like going on a journey through Vietnam, from the green rice fields in the north to the bustling harbours in the south. But this is not street food, it is more like the next level of homemade food, carefully prepared and enjoyed with friends and family. Many dishes are made to be shared and discovered together at the table, the traditional Vietnamese way for family get-togethers and celebrations. The restaurant’s name is inspired by the expression ‘chi oi’ - pronounced cheeoy – which means “hey sister”. This is a well-known Vietnamese expression to the country’s sisters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts and daughters. In Vietnamese culture, the women are the ones doing most of the cooking and CHiÔi is a celebration of the people who have brought Vietnamese food culture to where it is today.

The celebration of Vietnamese women is also apparent in the décor, with large paintings displayed on the walls. The elegant interior features earthy tones,

with custom-designed Scandinavian sofas and chairs with an Asian touch, and with dimmed lights that set the tone for an after-work cocktail or dinner. And in summer, customers can enjoy the restaurant’s terrace.

Tasty delights for lunch and dinner Vietnamese food is fresh with contrasting textures. Typically, chefs aim for a mix of salty, sweet, sour and spicy. Common, flavourful ingredients are lemongrass, ginger, chili and lime, and fresh herbs such as coriander, mint and basil.

On the menu are some favourite dishes that are bound to bring back childhood memories for Vietnamese customers, . such as Thit Kho – caramelised pork with fried egg, perfect for lunch and best enjoyed with a crisp Saigon Lager on the side. Another tasty lunch option is the lemongrass chicken: creamy, fresh and with a balanced umami. CHiÔi also serves Pho Bò, a noodle soup which is considered a national dish in Vietnam. The homemade broth is cooked for over 12 hours together with grilled marrow, before slow-cooked beef brisket, noodles and fresh herbs are added.

Sharing dishes are popular too, such as homemade spring rolls or sticky rice with mushrooms and sweet soy sauce, served in a lotus leaf. Meanwhile, the grilled lamb chops with lemongrass salsa offers the perfect mixture of umami from the lamb and freshness of the lemongrass. And for dessert, try the panko fried banana with silky coconut cream and tapioca pearls.

With a vibrant and festive atmosphere, CHiÔi is a great venue for a few drinks with friends or colleagues after work. The restaurant has fabulous cocktails. A must-try is the special version of a Es‘ presso Martini, with Nêp Mói Vietnamese Vodka, and make sure not to miss Chào Me, a refreshing Aperol Spritz with a blood orange twist.

www.chioi.se Facebook: chioi.sthlm Instagram: @chioi.sthlm

Ceramists Toshiaki Hoshi and Linnea Aure have created unique dishes for the restaurant. Paja&Bureau have created the entire décor from chairs to the bar itself. The linen curtains are hand sewn and printed by designer Ellen Rajala.

Restaurant of the Month, Finland Omakase, sake and Champagne: a sensorial Japanese dining experience

Omadi Omakase provides a unique dining experience in an intimate eight-seat restaurant. The carefully curated 14-dish menu is supported by a vast choice of sake and Champagne.

By Ester Laiho | Photos: Omadi Omakase

The mastermind behind Omadi Omakase is Nadim Nasser, who initially fell in love with Japanese food culture when a friend of his took him to a sushi restaurant. “I was 19 years old at the time and I had never had anything like it. I was blown away by the simplicity, the umami and the purity.”

Nasser has been chasing that high ever since, working in the kitchens of many restaurants in Helsinki and at Michelinstar restaurant Sushi Sho in Stockholm. While Nasser worked on his craft, his fiancée Matilda Mannström earned her WSET level-three sommelier award at Restaurangakademien, and together they get the drinks pairings just right. They say 50 per cent of the dining experience comes from the accompanying drinks and urge customers to opt for the drinks package at Omadi.

Nasser and Mannström are professionals in their own fields, but running a restaurant was new to them. They began by catering for events at Jollaksen Kartano, and later turned it into a pop-up, serving Nordic-inspired cuisine to hundreds of people. Buoyed by their success, they used their new knowlegde and confidence to open their own restaurant.

The concept behind Omadi Omakase is much more intimate – and you get a feel for it immediately. You will find the res-

Chefs Thanakrit Ployriang, Takao Yamamoto and Nadim Nasser. taurant after a flight of stairs, behind a thick woollen curtain. Nasser says the space was too good to pass up. “The space is an old, forgotten hotel bar. We’ve put our own touch on the interior. There’s a lot of wood but nothing to distract you from the food. We are passionate and confident about what we serve, so there’s no need for gimmicks or a big show when the food is served.”

Nasser has been building relationships with local producers, fishermen and importers to ensure the best seasonal flavours are on offer. He’s excited to have sourced Balfegó Bluefin tuna from the Mediterranean, sea urchin roe from Iceland, brown crab from Gothenburg and even matsutake mushrooms, comparative to truffle in Japanese food culture.

www.omadihelsinki.com Instagram: @omadi.hki Facebook: omadihelsinki

Omadi takes bookings for one to four people, for three seatings daily from Wednesday to Saturday.

Restaurant of the Month, Norway Coastal gastronomy with local history and traditions

Bro opened its doors in 2018, when award winning chef, Ronny Kolvik, moved back to his hometown, Ålesund, and decided to establish a restaurant featuring local traditions and produce.

By Grethe Nordgård | Photos: Kristin Støylen

After several years working at well-known restaurants in Oslo, Ronny Kolvik decided to move back home and start his own restaurant. “The concept is to use what nature offers all year around, causing an automatic change of the menu, following the seasons. Our menu focuses on local history and traditions, and we strive to use local produce,” Kolvik explains. “We harvest regional herbs and vegetables, which are vital components of our recipes.”

At Bro, all the dishes are delights both to the tastebuds and the eyes. Here, local ingredients and flavours are used in new and inventive ways, while staying true to the area’s traditions. Together with head chef, Skyler Milner, Kolvik has developed extraordinary dishes such as monkfish with sea spaghetti, chanterelles and crayfish sauce, and a dessert of blueberry and goat’s milk sorbet – the perfect finish to any meal. Meanwhile, restaurant manager Silje Knotten ensures the service at Bro is always top notch. Knotten is also a certified wine sommelier and Bro’s wine cellar is brimming with wines from the best regions in the world, enabling guests to find the perfect match for the cuisine, with the help of expert staff.

Enjoying a meal at Bro is not just eating out, it’s an unforgettable experience that you will likely long to repeat. The restaurant is cosy, yet elegant, and overlooks Brosundet and Hellebroa – hence the name. The knowledgeable waiters explain the menu, with insight into the local history, traditions and the making of the food. For groups of six or more, there’s a choice of a seven, five or three-course meal. For larger groups who might be celebrating or planning a business conference, a private room – the Chambre Separée – is available. For the ultimate Bro experience, Kolvik recommends Chef’s Table. You will be seated by the open kitchen, where you can watch the chef in action, preparing and serving all the exquisite dishes on the menu, as well as additional treats. Bro is a quintessential ingredient of a visit to the west coast of Norway, offering the complete package of gourmet food, fine wines, tradition and history.

www.brobro.no Instagram: @broalesund Facebook: broalesund