Hello 2011

In a few days the first decade of the second millenia comes to an end. So does my first year as a recent Copenhaganite. And what a year.

My awesome friend and roommate has a great New Year's custom that I'd like to share with you. On New Year's eve, we both pick three words that will characterize the year ahead of us. For 2010, I chose these: patience, strenght and action. While I'm not sure if I've become more patient, this last year has definately included a lot of action and presented challenges that have testet my strenght, physically and mentally.

As for my words for 2011, I think these are a good choise: fun, passion and adventure.

Happy New year!

A nice cuppa..

Do you need a break from all your excessive Christmas shopping? Then how about snugling up with a nice cuppa in the city.

I've never quite gotten the hang of coffee, though several of my friends have attempted to introduce me to the black magic of espresso and latté. I've always been more in favour of tea. So I'd like to share with you some of my favorite tea places here in Copenhagen and around the world.

My absolute favorite place to get a varm cuppa is at Living Room in Larsbjørnsstræde. The cafe changed is name last year from Robert's Coffee, but much else has stayed the same, including the large, cozy fireplace downstairs, and it's snug Maroccan-inspired lounge. The menu features several organic choices, from teas and coffee to sandwiches and candy. They also serve pastries from Emmery's. Besides a tight, but excellent, selection of teas, the Living Room offers a range of fresh smoothies and milkshakes, which are amazing.

The interior of the cafe oozes coziness. You walk through the double glass doors and before you are two staircases, one leading up to the cash register and bar, the other leading to the seating arrangments downstairs, including the big fireplace and Maroccan room. A mix of retro and 70's furniture, along with old lamps, candles and lanterns, make you feel at home instantly and want to snuggle up in one of the big comfy chairs or couches. (Photo by Scanpix from aok.dk)

You might also enjoy a royal cup at A.C. Perch's Tea Room in Kronprinssegade, which specialises in supplying Copenhaganites (and the royal court) with exquisite, quiality tea. This family owned tea shop is one of the oldest in the city and dates back to 1835, when Niels Brock Perch (named after his father's friend Niels Brock) opned his shop. In 2006, Perch opened it's first franchise in Tokyo, Japan.

Perch offers single cups of tea (I'd like to sample the Chai Classic) or a full afternoon tea ensenble, complete with sanwiches, scones, clotted cream, lemon curd and cakes. Check out their menu for more information. (Photo by danesito at aok.dk)

Or perhaps you are looking for a more zen-like cuppa? Then head down to Sing Tea House in Skindergade, where you can enjoy encellent tea, smoothies and sanwiches. You might also want to sign for a Japanese tea ceremony or tea tasting session, if you have time. In summer, visit Sing's Chinese House in Frederiksberg Garden.

On my to-do list is also Cafe a la Menthe in Rådhusstræde and Taste in Store Kongensgade (you want to visit this place not so much because of their tea, but because of their gorgeous cakes!)


My absolute favorite tea place is tea right next to St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Located next to the cathedral, tea offers a wide range of award-winning teas. My personal favorite is their Immunitea, made from white tea. Try the afternoon tea - scones with clotted cream and rasberry jam along with your choice of tea. Enjoy inside the cozy cafe or sit outside at one of the tables. If you can't make to London in the near future, fear not - tea just opened an online shop and ships to pretty everywhere.

World traveller

Last week I attended a guest lecture by world traveller Nicolai Bangsgaard on his tour around the world on bike. His trip lasted about 4 years and he covered more than 62,000 kilometers. Needless to say, he's had quite an adventure.

For more information/inspiration, check out worldtravellers.dk

Of course, since hearing his talk, I've found myself wondering what my own travel goals are. So far, I've considered touring Route 66 - I did write my thesis on it, so there's no excuse. But the thought of walking the El Camino de Santiago de Compostela, like my mother, has also been on my mind a lot. Guess there's nothing for it - I'll have to start planning and packing.

A New Food Bible

Picture from Meyers Madhus

Copenhagen-based chef and culinary master-mind, Claus Meyer, published his latest book - Almanak - a whopper (literally) of more than 1000 recipies covering all 365 days of the year. This so on my Christmas must-have-wishlist!

Here's a little sample of some of the recipies. I would personally like to try out the sunchoke soup with chorizo!

Food on Film

CPH:DOX and Meyers Madhus launched first Nordic Food Film Festival!

During this year's CPH:DOX (Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival) (Nov. 4-14, 2010), a few select films dealing with contemporary food culture formed the basis for the first ever Nordic Food Film Festival - Food On Film.

The following four films were on this year's program:

• Cooking History (by Slovakian director Péter Kerekes). The film was screened on KulturNatten (Culture Night), Oct. 15.
  
• Fresh - the film that begins where "Food Inc." ended.
  
• Tapped - a documentary about bootled water.
  
• Colony - why are bees dissapearing and where do they go?

All screenings were followed by debates and eadible samples.

CPH:DOX was founded in 2003, as part of Natfilm Festival, Copenhagen's largets film festival. Every year, more than 200 films from around the world are screened in the Copenhagen cinemas. In 2009, the film festival had 37,000 admissions.

Check out the festival program.

Catch the world

Have you studied abroad or not gotten around to it yet?

Then maybe you should check out the Danish Agency for International Education's new inspiration website, gribverden.dk, where you read about other's exchagne stay, share your own experiences, watch vidoes and much, much more!

A day at the movies

October 31st is Cinema Day and you can get movie tickets at half price!

Last year, more than 100,000 movie goers of all ages participated in Cinemay Day. This year, you'll have the chance again to watch any of all current running movies at half price this Sunday, October 31.

Grand Theatre in Copenhagen will be showing, among others, Woody Allen's latets big-city comedy "You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger", the new Julia Robert's hit "Eat Pray Love" and "Mother And Child" by Rodrigo Garcia, who directed "Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her" (2000). For more info on Grand Theatre's program, look here.

At kino.dk you can find a list of other movies that are half price - such as "Four Lions", debut film by Chris Morris about four young Muslim men living in Sheffield, who have become radicalised and decide to become suicide bombers.

So enjoy a day at the movies!

What's your flavor?

Cake-lovers listen up!

A short while ago, a new shop opened in Cph city centre - and not just any shop: a cupcake shop. That' right, you may now indulge in flavors ranging from cherry, pistachio and licorice to deep, dark chocolate (my personal favorite), chai and the classic red velvet at Agnes Cupcakes.

My roomie and I sampled the dark chocolate and chai shortly after the shop opened and we were certainly not dissapointed. The small - or, rather large, actually - cakes have a genuine cupcake-taste, as I remember it from the States, and are clearly crafted with attention and care.

The shop itself demonstrates that Scandinavian interior design is an excellent starting point to present food that focuses on the details. Kept in simple dark browns and sensitive sand colors, combined with large glas windows and wooden shelves, the interior allows the product, the cakes, to stand out in their vibrant greens, organges and pinks. The decoration is kept to a minimum and mostly consists of the menu, which has been mounted on the wall in large letters and small, orange stars, indicating what flavors are available when.

In addition to the cupcakes, you can get a nice cup of coffee, chai or tea.

Enjoy!

New city, new life

So here's my very first blog entry - ever.

I like adventure and embarked on a new one in Spring, when I moved to Copenhagen. The reason: I had applied for a job - and actually got it. One of my best girlfriends was in a similar position: also recently equipped with a Masters degree and with a job offer on her hands, so she decided to move in with me. We now live happily on the island of Amager.

But I would like to document my experience as a recent Copenhagenite - hence this blog. Also, I have a violent passion for food, cities, culture and books, which I hope to share with many of you.

So welcome to new city living - stay tuned for more!