It would be hard for any restaurant to live up to the expectations that come with knowing it’s re-taken the #1 spot on “best restaurants in the world”. Noma is totally creative and serves only what it can source locally in its take on Nordic cuisine. It is located in an old warehouse on the waterfront and is very nice inside yet rustic. The atmosphere is the best – very casual – with lots of banter going on between the folks in the open kitchen.
Every one of the employees seemed to be very happy to work there and they also use a number of interns that come for several months just to learn how its done. Noma has produced and trained a number of chefs now in other establishments. There is an additional kitchen upstairs as well as a cooking area outside. I’d venture that there are more staff than patrons!
The food is light and creative but not often intense in its taste. Presentations are beautiful but not fussy nor faux. One thing I really liked is that they were able to offer me foods I hadn’t tried before. The Æbleskiver were covered in a grasshopper emulsion and the ants on the tartar were a fun effect while also offering a nice crunch. The crispy cabbage leaves were a tad greasy but how fun to have a cabbage taste but a potato chip texture. I’m so glad we were able to get in and have this experience. It is unique!
