Bord - a table in Stockholm’s loveliest dining room
in short…
small, exquisite restaurant from Joel Hellner, who used to cook at the fabulous Fäviken
just like dining in a close friend's living room
from the best tomatoes to the finest scallops – all cooked to perfection
Of course, this little restaurant in Vasastan has more than just a table, as its Swedish name might suggest.
Joel Hellner’s Bord, near the Vanadislunden city park, actually feels more like the host has invited us into his private dining room and put in as many tables as the room can possibly hold.
The white-tiled kitchen is separated only by a serving counter, where a few guests can also sit and watch the chefs at work.
And, in the very tradition of the wonderful Fäviken, where Joel used to cook, they conjure up exquisite dishes from the very best ingredients, cooked to perfection.
Bord’s menu, simply printed on a sheet of nice paper, is best studied over a glass of Martini.
Behind the description „Crudités” lie, for example, the most exquisite varieties of tomatoes, sliced and served with ricotta and bottarga.
Grilled lettuce is paired with chanterelles and pistachios.
And sweetbread is seasoned with harissa and served with sweet green grapes on the side.
The scallops au gratin with kosho – a paste made from chilli and yuzu – are among the best we’ve ever tasted.
To conclude, we can wholeheartedly recommend the Brillat-Savarin cheese wrapped in a fig leaf and served with local honey.
Not least because this charming bistro somehow exudes a French Savoir-Vivre of its own. And few celebrate the cheese finale quite like the French (or this charming Swedish enclave, for that matter).
The deeply relaxed team weaves elegantly between the closely arranged tables. And the host and chef isn’t above serving the food to the guests himself.
We feel as we have been personally invited to a lovely private soirée.
And when we leave the restaurant and step out into the bright Stockholm summer night, we’re almost a little surprised that we haven’t made some new acquaintances in this friendly, intimate setting.
By the way, if you’re staying at Miss Clara or The Sparrow (both of which we highly recommend), you can leisurely stroll back from Bord to your hotel in twenty minutes on a mild midsummer’s night.
