- Klassik 65, Jægergårdsgade 65, Århus, Denmark.
Unlike the other places in this list, Klassik 65 is in Århus. This is an unassuming little place. I walked in one evening, Steve Martin style, for a dinner for one. A very friendly and overly charming waitress sat me down, sat at the table with me, and began to walk me through the menu which appeared to be French cuisine with a small Danish bend. I ordered the bone marrow (pictured above: roasted in an herb butter with just a small hint of parmesan), the Dagens Svømmer (which means “daily swimmer” or “fish of the day”. I got conflicting reports about what fish it was. Some friend of mine said it was a mørksej or saithe, basically a pollock, but the wait staff said it was a kind of Nordic Cod. I’d have to agree with the wait staff as it had cod like features except more dense, less flakey, darker, richer flavor) with a grilled potato slice, sweet potato puree, and sauteted fennel, and a Crème brûlée for dessert (which was just straight up perfect…no raspberry reduction, no fruit or mint on it…just plain and perfect).
- Sàigòn Quàn, Godthåbsvej 48, Copenhagen, Denmark.
A three mile walk from Tivoli took me to this little Vietnamese run place for the perfect bowl of Phở sunshine on a cloudy day.
Bonus points for telling me what that long leaf is.
- Ida Davidsen, Store Kongendsgade 70, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Got here without a reservation, they managed to give me 1/2 a table where I watched people after me get turned away. Denmark may be the world’s oldest monarchy, but here the “smørrebørd” (open face sandwich) is king. Top: Roast beef, boiled egg, fried onions, & tomatoes. Below: Smoked salmon, cod roe, horseradish, dill, and some olive oil to drizzel over.
- Shawarma Grill House, Frederiksberggade 36, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Amazing shawarma rotating slowly, crisping to a perfect texture, while the Lebanese staff are clearly having fun, laughing and telling jokes to each other in arabic. I went back here time and time again for the 35 DKK sandwich; it got better each time.
