Copenhagen Archives - Page 2 of 2

Christmas in Copenhagen | Part 1 | Nyhavn

Amongst the many beautiful and famous landmarks in the city of Copenhagen, Nyhavn is perhaps one of the most recognizable. The colourful row of houses and shops that line the canal have been there since the 17th century, and this gateway to the sea has become a charming tourist destination {something of a turnaround from it’s history of prostitution and beer houses}.

Today, the cobblestone walkway is lined with restaurants and pubs on one side. Even in the bitter cold of winter, they have tables set up out front with lanterns, wool blankets and heaters to invite passers by to sit and enjoy the ambience of the area over a drink or a meal.

{This windswept heather tells the story of just how c-c-cold it really was! Beautiful, but cold!}

At Christmas time, the other side of the cobblestone walkway is lined with gingerbread style huts {which I mysteriously failed to photograh – so sorry! They really were almost identical to the ones you saw at the Toronto Christmas Market}. These huts are home to vendors selling Christmas wares from handmade felted wool ornaments {and ornaments of all kinds!} to knitted mittens and sweaters to local Danish cheese and even reindeer skin rugs.

Wandering the nearby streets you’ll find that Christmas is literally everywhere, with everyday streets decorated with live evergreen boughs, lights and the iconic Danish hearts. Beauty and celebration are clearly embraced as a meaningful part of everyday life in Denmark!

Some of my favourite shops were the florists. I loved their neat and tidy wreaths and door knockers. Though not entirely an unfamiliar aesthetic, theirs had something charmingly Danish about them that I found both endearing and refreshing. Even the simple evergreen wreaths were more compact and intentionally crafted to my eye. So lovely!

Nyhavn becomes rather magical at night, with the lights from the boats and buildings reflecting like liquid gold off the water. I highly recommend wandering back here on your way home at dusk.

Having spent only 2 whirlwind days there, I still have much to share with you! Can’t wait to show you the markets…but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Wishing you a warm and happy Thursday!

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|December 20th, 2012|0 Comments

The Toronto Christmas Market

So I quietly mentioned last week that a friend generously invited me to join her on a dreamy, whirlwind adventure, spending two inspired days exploring the Scandanavian city of Copenhagen. Truth is, I’m still pinching myself.

The number one thing on our “to-do” list while in Copenhagen was to get to The Tivoli Christmas Market. I promise to share more about that amazingly Christmas-y experience in the days leading up to the 25th. I’m really not being a tease. I mention all of this now because I am SO excited about our very own Christmas Market happening at The Historic Distillery District. Having just been to one of the premiere Christmas Markets in Europe, I can say with all sincerity that The Toronto Christmas Market is oozing with the same kind of charm, ambiance and Christmas spirit you would experience in Europe, and it’s all right here in your own {Toronto} backyard!

The Distillery District is a National Historic Site, home to the largest collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture in North America. The cobblestone streets have a way of transporting you into another place and time, and the gorgeous, early 19th-century-style strings of lights that are hanging between the buildings add to the magical mood of this place and event.

Just as in Copenhagen, the streets are lined with sweet, gingerbread-style huts housing vendors of all kinds. Glühwein {or “Glogg” as they call it in Denmark} is a hot mulled red wine aperitif synonymous with outdoor European Christmas events. Its warming, fragrant goodness is available from various vendors throughout The Toronto Christmas Market, the perfect way to warm your hands and constitution as you wander.

There are of course many vendors offering Christmas ornaments and gifts. From evergreen saplings to Niagara fudge and bees wax candles, the variety of options make it a wonderful destination to find that something special or unique on your list while soaking up the Christmas spirit. We even found chocolate-dipped bacon, which will christen the top of my son’s stocking this year {shhh, don’t tell him!}. Not sure if it makes me the best mom in the world or the worst mom in the world that I’m giving my son chocolate-dipped bacon? I just keep telling myself it’s only once a year. Once a year.

Beyond the obvious visual charm of the cobblestone streets, the permanent galleries and shops that are open throughout the year make The Distillery District the perfect location for The Toronto Christmas Market. These lovely local purveyors offer a toasty reprieve from winter’s chill and an inspiring place to warm fingers and toes while exploring many more beautiful and unique wares.

That being said, it’s the fact that this is an open-air event that makes it so authentic to the European experience. While in Copenhagen, I was amazed to see literally hundreds of people riding bikes in the snow and subzero temperatures. In Europe, life is an adventure to be experienced, no matter what the weather is doing! No shopping malls to weaken one’s constitution! The Toronto Christmas Market is an authentic taste of that way of life, with lovely food vendors peppered throughout to help you recharge and make the whole experience that much sweeter.

With winter days shortening, you don’t have to stay out past your bedtime to experience the romance of the Distillery District all lit up for Christmas at night. I highly recommend planning your visit for late afternoon and into the evening so that you can experience the lights in all their twinkling glory. Like a blanket of glittering starry skies, they are clearly there to wish you the happiest of holidays.

The Toronto Christmas Market is open daily until December 16th. If you live in the Toronto area and have been struggling to find your Christmas spirit, this is the destination for you. Guaranteed to melt any grinchy heart.

Wishing you a warm and happy Tuesday, filled with the courage to adventure out into your life, no matter the weather.

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|December 11th, 2012|0 Comments

Aamann’s | A Taste of Copenhagen in NYC

As you know, I recently had the pleasure of visiting one of my nearest and dearest friends in New York City. I’d been planning the visit for months and was so delighted to indulge in some precious time to catch up and just be together. It was a lovely long weekend and one to be repeated very soon.

What you don’t know is that, on the heels of that one well-planned adventure came an unexpected whirlwind surprise that had me jet-setting from NYC to Copenhagen rather than coming home for less than it would have cost me to take a cab home from the airport. Oh. My. Word.

I promise to tell you more about both my New York and Copenhagen adventures in upcoming posts, but today I thought I would share just a taste {pun intended} of the synchronicity of these events through a restaurant that connects the dots on the map from NYC to Copenhagen.

On my flight to NYC, my seatmate happened to be renowned Canadian chef Chris McDonald. Chris was the mastermind behind one of my husband’s and my favourite restaurants in Toronto {Avalon}, so it was entirely serendipitous that he and I met and I had the chance to learn all about his exciting new Spanish restaurant, Cava. We can’t wait to get down to Yonge and St. Clair to experience the culinary adventure that awaits us there, Chris!

Anyway, while chatting with Chris, he asked about my travel itinerary and I laughingly mentioned that I was having an entirely atypical jet-set week going from NYC through to Copenhagen upon my return. Chris’ eyes lit up and he began sharing with me about his own recent trip to Copenhagen. Naturally, his recommendations all gravitated towards where to eat, including a discussion about what is highly regarded as the most important restaurant in the world right now, Noma. Given that reservations are booking months in advance and lunch is a mere $450, we moved on to discuss more realistic options. In fact, Chris pulled out his laptop and offered recommendations that had been passed along to him by one of the most esteemed chefs in Canada. So generous!

On that list was today’s feature, a restaurant that connects the dots of my whirlwind adventure from New York to Copenhagen: Aamann’s.

Often mistakenly called an “open-faced sandwich” by diners unable to pronounce the mysterious Danish “ø,” Smørrebrød, as it is known today, became popular in Copenhagen in the late 1800’s. Shortly thereafter it came to be seen as a lunchtime staple of the working class. Comprised of a variety of pickled vegetables and cured meats {ideal for long, cold Danish winters}, Smørrebrød has evolved from a pragmatic meal into an art form in the hands of visionary chef Adam Aamann.

Flavour, texture and visual composition are all taken into consideration when crafting these artfully presented Smørrebrød. The base is a simple, homemade slice of traditional Danish rye bread, and the toppings are carefully selected, organic and locally sourced combinations meant to excite the palate and satiate the appetite.

With menu options such as Smoked cod with juniper and apple, apple-compote, dill and soft hazelnuts; Chicken salad with fried carrots, chestnuts, lemon, watercress and carrot crudité; Braised duck with red cabbage salad, pickled dried fruits in warm spices and fig-marmelade; and Roast beef sirloin with crispy onions, sauce Remoulade and freshly grated horseradish, these “sandwiches” are far from pedestrian, guaranteed to entice even the most dedicated foodies to moan just a little over lunch. Even the “typical” smoked salmon and cream cheese is elevated to “Graved laks” cured salmon with dill, foxy sauce, Pickled onions, endive and rye breadcrumbs.

So how does this restaurant connect the dots between New York and Copenhagen? With locations in both cities, of course! New Yorker’s in search of a truly authentic Scandinavian experience can head to the northeast corner of the Tribeca Film Building in New York City to visit Aamann’s for both lunch and dinner, with a brunch experience soon to be offered as well.

Wishing you all a warm and happy Wednesday, filled with unexpected flavours and artful combinations to excite your palate and awaken your senses.

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|December 5th, 2012|1 Comment