6 April 2013

focacceria (villa paradiso)

One of our favourite places to eat in Oslo is Focacceria, a small takeout joint run by Villa Paradiso (which is the best pizzeria in town, hands down). The focaccia is amazing; this is my favourite, with eggplant, buffalo mozzarella, basil and tomato:

focacceria

Focacceria is just up the side street from Villa Paradiso, and ever since discovering it we’ve basically stopped going to the latter: the focaccia is just as good (if not better) than the pizza, and as a bonus we avoid the constant lineups at VP. In addition to several types of tasty focaccia with different toppings, Focacceria also sells pre-packaged dough, tomato sauce and flour (but I’ve found a much cheaper place for the special flour–more on that later).

As in Villa Paradiso, the servers are often Italian (even listening to Italian radio) and don’t speak Norwegian. This is only bizarre because we know the owners aren’t Italian. All to make it seem more authentic? Who knows, but it’s great!

Focacceria
Markveien 34
Oslo

Share Button
12 March 2013

crêperie de mari

I was never tempted to go in when you were just a little crêperie on torggata. But now that you’re a full-fledged restaurant attached to a yuppie swedish store in Grünerløkka, you’re irresistible.

nice crêpes, too. (I think this was the “italiano,” with pesto, olives and pine nuts.)

Crêperie de Mari (facebook page)
Thorvald Meyersgate 63-67
0552 Oslo

Share Button
10 March 2013

norwegian advertising

Sometimes I don’t think I’ll ever understand Norwegian mass culture. This ad for vanilla sauce, for example:

endelig skrukork

NYHET! Endelig med skrukork! (“NEW! Finally with a screw cap!”)

It doesn’t market any other feature. No great taste, no new recipe, just… a screw cap. … read more »

Share Button
26 February 2013

ruterbåt

shot of a waiting commuter boat in the Oslo fjord (I like the # logo)

Share Button
24 February 2013

lunch at fiskeriet

Decided to have lunch today at Operapassasjen (“the opera passage”), a walk-through building that used to house Oslo’s opera (not to be confused with the beautiful new building by the sea). At the entrance facing Youngstorget, there’s a small fish market called Fiskeriet — surprisingly one of the few fish markets in Oslo.

Attached to the small market is a small eatery, with a small menu. … read more »

Share Button