Thank you for reading The Book of Smørrebrød, my fifth on the subject and a perfect excuse for visiting my favourite restaurants yet again.
I had to leave several places off the list, since the decision was made to mention only 50. But there is one restaurant, that I would have liked to include, had it only been open: Palægade restaurant, which burned down in early 2020. It will reopen with a strong team, but only after this book went into print.
Also I had the restaurant at Hotel Baltic in Als high on the 50 Best list. But just before going to print, I learned that the current owner would be closing the hotel, and the defining smørrebrød chef, Chris Franklin, would be leaving, so I chose to strike Baltic from the list. I would also have liked to include the Spisesalon Restaurant in Aarhus, but this place has been temporarily closed for months due to the corona virus situation.
I also wish to make an honourable mention of the Ida Davidsen restaurant. Not so much for the food as for the ambience in this unique institution in the history of smørrebrød.
Visiting reminds me – a long-time fan of cruise ships – of the RMS Queen Mary ocean liner, where I spent a night a few years back. After crossing The Atlantic 1001 times she was docked in Los Angeles and converted to a hotel and restaurant in 1967. Queen Mary went into service in 1936, just one year before the birth of Ida Davidsen, known for 60 years as The Queen of Smørrebrød. Mary was a grand lady, and on top of that one of the worlds fastest cruise ships, just as Ida was the leading smørrebrød lady for decades, and its most important international ambassador. And while smørrebrød was suffering in the 1970-80’s, she kept the traditions alive and inspired new young smørrebrød chefs.
Ida’s restaurant, now run by her son Oscar, is no longer a leader in the industry, but to eat here, and enjoy the sight of the Grande Dame in her chefs whites and tall white hat, is like looking into history. So go visit her, and while you are there, have the Dyrlægens Natmad (Veterinarians midnight snack), the iconic smørrebrød invented by the Davidsen family.
After paying tribute to this historic institution, go ahead and explore the many new extraordinarily good places for smørrebrød. Please enjoy
