It is amazing that some companies, who only allow credit card payments, also take a specific credit card payment fee when you pay. Which apparently is not allowed in Norway...
Airlines are a few of these companies who add a surcharge. Why not just add the price to the ticket and avoid customer irritation and playing with the rules? All other costs should be included in the ticket price? Or not...then the single ticket fee may not be as appealing if all costs were included?
Unfortunately we probably have more of this to come short term, when SEPA is enforced, since the sellers costs must become more transparent, of course he then too wishes to push the costs on to the buyer. But the good news is that payment methods such as direct payments willl be used together with or instead of creditcards in the future. Direct payment is the SEPA way, and this payment method is free of charge. The local account-to-account payment method will be demanded more by buyers. :-)
The fee paid to the PSP is not the main cost for the seller it is the the acquirer that usually takes the big part. The acquirer is usually a bank - so the banks get paid by the seller and by you your VISA/Mastercard yearly fee. As always - the banks win - just like taxes - take before, during and after.
Service at it´s best...again!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Kaplans Auktioner, Stockholm - Why pay over the counter prices for jewelry - a diamond is a diamond regardless of age.
At Kaplans Auktioner, situated in the center of Stockholm, on Bilbioteksgatan 5, you find almost every form of jewelry and watches available on the market. And the best part - it is cheaper than all other jewelry stores!
Kaplans Auktioner arranges around 100 public auctions per year and also offers objects for sale over-the-counter. All objects that can be bought from Kaplans Auktioner AB are sold on a commission basis on behalf of various clients, in the name of Kaplans Auktioner AB, unless otherwise stated.
Once getting over the fact that a diamond is a diamond regardless of how many previous owners it has had, then the fun can start. And bidding on a live or an online auction is very exciting!
Kaplans also sells new jewelry and watches on commission but that isn´t as much fun – bargains are fun!
New for this year are the "fashionable" auctions, filled with brand name scarves, handbags, shoes and other goodies.
Another good service is the appraisal service – when buying an item, you can ask for an appraisal of the item for insurance purposes.
After more than 11 years using Kaplans Auktioner, I am still excited about the site and impressed over the way things are run. Why pay full price on something that never dies out?
Some useful hints:
• The watch appraisers know their stuff and at least one of them, helps out in the “shop”.
• The jewelry appraisers will usually not appraise many items at a time – this is a little irritating if you are coming from abroad and do not wish to leave the goods at Kaplans, in case the appraisal is too low for you wanting to sell. Even calling in advance for a meeting does not help. Not good!
• Getting things appraised during lunch (11:30 – 13:30) is not a good idea.
• Auction showings are two days before the auction. You can alwyas phone in and ask for more information regarding an item. However, the pawn auction items cannot be looked at prior to these two days, since the goods may not have been delivered to Kaplans by then.
• If you need to follow-up on an item sold on the pawn auctions, Kaplans cannot help you, since the pawn shop is in charge of appraisals and information – you need to visit the pawn shop directly. Irritating but understandable!
• What is not sold on an auction, is left to be sold in the “store” for the asking auction price (called first offer) plus 18%.
• Some of the women in the “shop” are not experts in stones or pearls. If you are looking for something very particular, get a hold of one of the jewelers in house. This is good to keep in mind if you call in to find out more about an item.
• Kaplans always answers email correspondence.
• Kaplans cut on items sold on the auction – hammer price -20%.
• Kaplans cut on the items bought on the auction – hammer price +18%.
• Kaplans cut on items sold after the auction in the “store”– lowest bid price (reserve) -20%, and first offer price (estimated price) plus 18%. Therefore you can expect service!
Kaplans Auktioner AB, Biblioteksgatan 5, 111 46 Stockholm, Sweden. http://www.kaplans.se/
Kaplans Auktioner arranges around 100 public auctions per year and also offers objects for sale over-the-counter. All objects that can be bought from Kaplans Auktioner AB are sold on a commission basis on behalf of various clients, in the name of Kaplans Auktioner AB, unless otherwise stated.
Once getting over the fact that a diamond is a diamond regardless of how many previous owners it has had, then the fun can start. And bidding on a live or an online auction is very exciting!
Kaplans also sells new jewelry and watches on commission but that isn´t as much fun – bargains are fun!
New for this year are the "fashionable" auctions, filled with brand name scarves, handbags, shoes and other goodies.
Another good service is the appraisal service – when buying an item, you can ask for an appraisal of the item for insurance purposes.
After more than 11 years using Kaplans Auktioner, I am still excited about the site and impressed over the way things are run. Why pay full price on something that never dies out?
Some useful hints:
• The watch appraisers know their stuff and at least one of them, helps out in the “shop”.
• The jewelry appraisers will usually not appraise many items at a time – this is a little irritating if you are coming from abroad and do not wish to leave the goods at Kaplans, in case the appraisal is too low for you wanting to sell. Even calling in advance for a meeting does not help. Not good!
• Getting things appraised during lunch (11:30 – 13:30) is not a good idea.
• Auction showings are two days before the auction. You can alwyas phone in and ask for more information regarding an item. However, the pawn auction items cannot be looked at prior to these two days, since the goods may not have been delivered to Kaplans by then.
• If you need to follow-up on an item sold on the pawn auctions, Kaplans cannot help you, since the pawn shop is in charge of appraisals and information – you need to visit the pawn shop directly. Irritating but understandable!
• What is not sold on an auction, is left to be sold in the “store” for the asking auction price (called first offer) plus 18%.
• Some of the women in the “shop” are not experts in stones or pearls. If you are looking for something very particular, get a hold of one of the jewelers in house. This is good to keep in mind if you call in to find out more about an item.
• Kaplans always answers email correspondence.
• Kaplans cut on items sold on the auction – hammer price -20%.
• Kaplans cut on the items bought on the auction – hammer price +18%.
• Kaplans cut on items sold after the auction in the “store”– lowest bid price (reserve) -20%, and first offer price (estimated price) plus 18%. Therefore you can expect service!
Kaplans Auktioner AB, Biblioteksgatan 5, 111 46 Stockholm, Sweden. http://www.kaplans.se/
Alternative Christman Dinner at Cru Vin & Kjøkken
Exciting Christmas dinner at Cru Vin & Kjøkken.
Instead of the traditional Christmas dinner/plate, they will be serving Christmas dinner with the season`s ingredients and wines in all price ranges.
Instead of the traditional Christmas dinner/plate, they will be serving Christmas dinner with the season`s ingredients and wines in all price ranges.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Cafe Sorgenfri on a Thursday in Oslo
Cafe Sorgenfri is where you get your Danish (as Danish as you can get abroad) "smørbrød" and a mean wienerschnitzel (when it isn\t too cooked and dry). Many a "wet" lunch have I experienced there.
Thursday afternoon - plans were to go to the French Embassy´s Languedoc wine testing. Fees paid but we were not "there" mentally. In the taxi - Cafe Sorgenfri was a great place to start - see if the menu tickled any taste buds. Most spur-of-the moment evenings usually end up over all expectations.
With no reservations in hand and only 2 requests - keep warm and by a window - we got the best seat in the house. I saw that they actually listened to my requests! Since most parties on a Thursday in Oslo are company dinners, one 4 seated booth by the the window was available. Lucky us. Next to us, 2 tables with very "happy" working men. Perfect place for two women to enjoy a wonderful bottle of champagnge, according to the outside menu - a delicious wild boar and speak freely.
As always the service was well adjusted to the atmosphere. We felt welcome. Starting out with my favorite champagne helped the feeling of welcome.
We ordered 3 out of the day´s 5 dishes. Starting with a lobster starter, wild boar for the main course and tarte tartin with ice cream for dessert/cheese plate for my girlfriend.
The lobster, citrus, salty sallad starter was exquisite! The sweet, sour, salty mixture melted together with the juicy, but extremely minut pieces of lobster. At the time I thought the lobster dish as very small, but maybe that was because the taste was so extreme that eating more may over do it...come on! This is LOBSTER - you can never have too much lobster. The starter could have been a size or two bigger. But with the champagne and the short moments the lobster mixture was on our lips, we were in heaven.
Wild boar - I have not had that since my hunting days in southern Sweden. The dish looked lovely. The potatoe puré was served inbetween a sliced warm turnip. A hint of a wonderful taste but the salt was missing - even when dipping it into the sauce served on the piece of boar. My meat was well done - really well done. My girlfiend´s was less well done, so we switched. My recollection of wild boar did not match this piece of light meat. I remember a more juicy, whole cooked boar, which had been roasting over a large fire on the hunting grounds. This was instead a peice of cooked oversized pork. But - the sauce saved the dish. It helped me chew the meat. Oh well - we still hade champagne and conversation!
Dessert and cheese - I had the tarte tatin - an upside-down apple tart in which the apples are caramelized in butter and sugar before the tart is baked with ice cream. Usually not what I order but it was one of the 5 dishes on the menu. I had probably taken my time chewing the meat since my ice cream was more of a creamy sauce. No problems - the taste is still there and eveyone knows that cooked or frozen calories do not count as calories ;-). Since I did not have the cheese I will only tell you about the cheese. The thinly sliced sweet/sour apple was delicious, a hint of caramel entered my mouth. The vanilla "sauce" was a bit hard to get on the spoon, but was amazing tot he apple.
Still champagne left! No coffee.
Service: 5/5 - appropiately attentive, patient (previous experience with a wilder croud has proven that many times before), if we had complained on the main course, we would probably have receieved an alternative, but we did not - our overall setting was too good, 2 girls, champagne and food - made for a successful dinner.
Food: 2/5 - Few things out of this world, some things not so good, all portions small, no bread prior to meal was served.
Drinks: 5/5 - The champagne had the correct temperature, tasted the way it was expected to and was served when needed.
Price: 2/5 - A 3 course meal downtown Oslo is approx 395 - 695 so Cafe Sorgenfri is on the lower end of the scale, however since the servings were very small and you had no chance to "fill up" on extra bread, I think it was a little pricy for what you got - however, not for downtown Oslo.
Environment/Atmosphere: 5/5 - Aker Brygge, the interior with all it´s trimmings is part of the experience. This time the artifacts actually looked more dusted in the ceiling - may it was the champagne that helped. You do feel that you could be in Denmark, with Norwegian/Sweedish personnel and Norweigian prices and climate.
Location: 5/5 - perfect side of Aker Brygger for dinner - walking distance to almost everything. Pricely parking if you bring your car.
Ages of guests in party: 40 - 45 but the rest of the guests this evening looked older of course.
24/30 points.
Add a little to the servings and everything gets better.
Thursday afternoon - plans were to go to the French Embassy´s Languedoc wine testing. Fees paid but we were not "there" mentally. In the taxi - Cafe Sorgenfri was a great place to start - see if the menu tickled any taste buds. Most spur-of-the moment evenings usually end up over all expectations.
With no reservations in hand and only 2 requests - keep warm and by a window - we got the best seat in the house. I saw that they actually listened to my requests! Since most parties on a Thursday in Oslo are company dinners, one 4 seated booth by the the window was available. Lucky us. Next to us, 2 tables with very "happy" working men. Perfect place for two women to enjoy a wonderful bottle of champagnge, according to the outside menu - a delicious wild boar and speak freely.
As always the service was well adjusted to the atmosphere. We felt welcome. Starting out with my favorite champagne helped the feeling of welcome.
We ordered 3 out of the day´s 5 dishes. Starting with a lobster starter, wild boar for the main course and tarte tartin with ice cream for dessert/cheese plate for my girlfriend.
The lobster, citrus, salty sallad starter was exquisite! The sweet, sour, salty mixture melted together with the juicy, but extremely minut pieces of lobster. At the time I thought the lobster dish as very small, but maybe that was because the taste was so extreme that eating more may over do it...come on! This is LOBSTER - you can never have too much lobster. The starter could have been a size or two bigger. But with the champagne and the short moments the lobster mixture was on our lips, we were in heaven.
Wild boar - I have not had that since my hunting days in southern Sweden. The dish looked lovely. The potatoe puré was served inbetween a sliced warm turnip. A hint of a wonderful taste but the salt was missing - even when dipping it into the sauce served on the piece of boar. My meat was well done - really well done. My girlfiend´s was less well done, so we switched. My recollection of wild boar did not match this piece of light meat. I remember a more juicy, whole cooked boar, which had been roasting over a large fire on the hunting grounds. This was instead a peice of cooked oversized pork. But - the sauce saved the dish. It helped me chew the meat. Oh well - we still hade champagne and conversation!
Dessert and cheese - I had the tarte tatin - an upside-down apple tart in which the apples are caramelized in butter and sugar before the tart is baked with ice cream. Usually not what I order but it was one of the 5 dishes on the menu. I had probably taken my time chewing the meat since my ice cream was more of a creamy sauce. No problems - the taste is still there and eveyone knows that cooked or frozen calories do not count as calories ;-). Since I did not have the cheese I will only tell you about the cheese. The thinly sliced sweet/sour apple was delicious, a hint of caramel entered my mouth. The vanilla "sauce" was a bit hard to get on the spoon, but was amazing tot he apple.
Still champagne left! No coffee.
Service: 5/5 - appropiately attentive, patient (previous experience with a wilder croud has proven that many times before), if we had complained on the main course, we would probably have receieved an alternative, but we did not - our overall setting was too good, 2 girls, champagne and food - made for a successful dinner.
Food: 2/5 - Few things out of this world, some things not so good, all portions small, no bread prior to meal was served.
Drinks: 5/5 - The champagne had the correct temperature, tasted the way it was expected to and was served when needed.
Price: 2/5 - A 3 course meal downtown Oslo is approx 395 - 695 so Cafe Sorgenfri is on the lower end of the scale, however since the servings were very small and you had no chance to "fill up" on extra bread, I think it was a little pricy for what you got - however, not for downtown Oslo.
Environment/Atmosphere: 5/5 - Aker Brygge, the interior with all it´s trimmings is part of the experience. This time the artifacts actually looked more dusted in the ceiling - may it was the champagne that helped. You do feel that you could be in Denmark, with Norwegian/Sweedish personnel and Norweigian prices and climate.
Location: 5/5 - perfect side of Aker Brygger for dinner - walking distance to almost everything. Pricely parking if you bring your car.
Ages of guests in party: 40 - 45 but the rest of the guests this evening looked older of course.
24/30 points.
Add a little to the servings and everything gets better.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Tunafish salad - tasty, juicy and a treat for the whole family
This tunafish salad is great for all types of bread. Takes approx 10 minutes.
Ingredients
2 tins canned tunafish - make sure it is Dolphin Safe Tuna!
Hellmans mayo - amount depends on your taste
1/2 - 1 onion - red or yellow depending in your taste
1 dl small green peas
Freshly ground black pepper
Choice of salad leaves
1 - 2 tomatoes
Bread of your choice - remember the bread is only there to make it easier for you to eat the tunafish!
Mix finely chopped onion and tunafish into a mixture. Add majo and taste. Carefully mix in the peas - make sure they do not get mushed! Add black ground pepper to taste.
Put the salad leaves of your choice on the bread, place sliced tomatoe on the leaves. Add the tunafish salad, add some ground pepper on top and serve!
Ingredients
2 tins canned tunafish - make sure it is Dolphin Safe Tuna!
Hellmans mayo - amount depends on your taste
1/2 - 1 onion - red or yellow depending in your taste
1 dl small green peas
Freshly ground black pepper
Choice of salad leaves
1 - 2 tomatoes
Bread of your choice - remember the bread is only there to make it easier for you to eat the tunafish!
Mix finely chopped onion and tunafish into a mixture. Add majo and taste. Carefully mix in the peas - make sure they do not get mushed! Add black ground pepper to taste.
Put the salad leaves of your choice on the bread, place sliced tomatoe on the leaves. Add the tunafish salad, add some ground pepper on top and serve!
Simple crab salad for snacks, fingerfood or sandwiches
This crab salad mixture is great for toppings on crackers as fingerfood or on sandwiches for those who want more of the good stuff! Takes approx 15 minutes.
Ingredients
White crab meat - preferably fresh
Hellmans mayo - amount depends on your taste and what the salad should be used for
Cayenne pepper - depends on taste - the salad should have a little "hint"
Shallots - 1 - 2 depending on amount of salad
Lime - 2 - 3 pressed limes per 2 crabs of white meat
Lemon for the finished mixture
Keep the claws as decoration or put them on the plate of the real crab lover.
1 - Mix Hellmans, cayenne pepper, finely chopped shallots and lime. Taste. Leave for 10 minutes - still need more cayenne or lime?
2 - Add crab meat and taste.
Fingerfood - crab mixture should be creamy/well mixed
Place the crab meat on small neutral crackers with a piece of cut lemon/lime meat on top. Alternate with lemon and lime topping to create an effect.
Sandwiches - crab mixture should be more coarse with pieces of crab still whole and less Hellmans
Add small pieces of lemon meat to the mixture. Place the mixture on neutral and soft bread. The crab mixture is the main ingredient - the bread just makes it easier to eat :-)
Enjoy!
Ingredients
White crab meat - preferably fresh
Hellmans mayo - amount depends on your taste and what the salad should be used for
Cayenne pepper - depends on taste - the salad should have a little "hint"
Shallots - 1 - 2 depending on amount of salad
Lime - 2 - 3 pressed limes per 2 crabs of white meat
Lemon for the finished mixture
Keep the claws as decoration or put them on the plate of the real crab lover.
1 - Mix Hellmans, cayenne pepper, finely chopped shallots and lime. Taste. Leave for 10 minutes - still need more cayenne or lime?
2 - Add crab meat and taste.
Fingerfood - crab mixture should be creamy/well mixed
Place the crab meat on small neutral crackers with a piece of cut lemon/lime meat on top. Alternate with lemon and lime topping to create an effect.
Sandwiches - crab mixture should be more coarse with pieces of crab still whole and less Hellmans
Add small pieces of lemon meat to the mixture. Place the mixture on neutral and soft bread. The crab mixture is the main ingredient - the bread just makes it easier to eat :-)
Enjoy!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Oslo´s oldest fish shop - Georg A. Nilsen
Around the corner from Bogstadveien, on Schultz gate, you will find a wonderful small fish shop. Don´t let it´s size fool you! The seafood paté takes your breath away! It melts in your mouth!
Established in 1901, the 4th generation Nilsson still runs it with a companion. They really know their fish and make it sound so easy when you ask what they recommend for dinner.
Evert Friday, there a cues of cars and people waiting to get their Friday goodies. Salt water crawfish, salmon, crabs, lobster, all types of fish, fish cakes, salmon tatar, salads - you name it - the viewing window in it´s self is a treat. They also stock game.
The service is outstanding, but make sure you get their on time, they do close almost on the dot 17:00
Nilsen Georg A, Bogstadveien 39 inng Schultzgt., 0366 Oslo, 22 46 50 16
Established in 1901, the 4th generation Nilsson still runs it with a companion. They really know their fish and make it sound so easy when you ask what they recommend for dinner.
Evert Friday, there a cues of cars and people waiting to get their Friday goodies. Salt water crawfish, salmon, crabs, lobster, all types of fish, fish cakes, salmon tatar, salads - you name it - the viewing window in it´s self is a treat. They also stock game.
The service is outstanding, but make sure you get their on time, they do close almost on the dot 17:00
Nilsen Georg A, Bogstadveien 39 inng Schultzgt., 0366 Oslo, 22 46 50 16
Etoile Bar, Grand Hotell, Oslo
Etoile Bar - a bar with a view!
Their slogan on their home page is "Welcome to Etoile - informal and trendy" - a very correct discription.
Been there a few times now, during the afternoon after work and at night. The perfect place for seeing firework shows, hearing street musicians from Karl Johan, enjoying the sun disappear behind the high surrounding buildings, studying the neon advertisement signs on the roof tops, and sitting with tourists, professionals and some trendies.
After shopping, work, drink with friends or colleagues - nice place, relaxed but a bit pricy.
After dinner, drink with your date - you are able to sneak a kiss by the tables outside, lighted by all the neon advertisement signs.
Night cap - be careful of the stairs down to the toilets...one fall and you won´t go back up.
Atmosphere nice, black and red, large windows, wonderful view of Karl Johan and the town hall.
You have to order your drinks at the bar yourself - a minus in my book. Does not fit the rest of Grand Hotells service level. Drinks are small, very icy and pricy, and on a slow night, the bubbles in the champagne are just as slow.
Before midnight your shoes stick to the floor and the toilets really smell bad. A complete turn off.
Service: 2/5 - What service - this is self service. But the young batrtender from Sweden smiles and has a sence of humor.
Drinks: 2/5 - small, ice and pricy.
Environment/Atmosphere: 3/5 - since they have outside seating, more shoud be done to allow guests to sit on soft cushions and keep warm.
Prices: 1/5 - for what you get, the drinks are very pricy.
Location: 5/5 - perfect - down town - and a nice place to show off Oslo with.
Age of guests in party: 35 - 45.
13/25 points.
Their slogan on their home page is "Welcome to Etoile - informal and trendy" - a very correct discription.
Been there a few times now, during the afternoon after work and at night. The perfect place for seeing firework shows, hearing street musicians from Karl Johan, enjoying the sun disappear behind the high surrounding buildings, studying the neon advertisement signs on the roof tops, and sitting with tourists, professionals and some trendies.
After shopping, work, drink with friends or colleagues - nice place, relaxed but a bit pricy.
After dinner, drink with your date - you are able to sneak a kiss by the tables outside, lighted by all the neon advertisement signs.
Night cap - be careful of the stairs down to the toilets...one fall and you won´t go back up.
Atmosphere nice, black and red, large windows, wonderful view of Karl Johan and the town hall.
You have to order your drinks at the bar yourself - a minus in my book. Does not fit the rest of Grand Hotells service level. Drinks are small, very icy and pricy, and on a slow night, the bubbles in the champagne are just as slow.
Before midnight your shoes stick to the floor and the toilets really smell bad. A complete turn off.
Service: 2/5 - What service - this is self service. But the young batrtender from Sweden smiles and has a sence of humor.
Drinks: 2/5 - small, ice and pricy.
Environment/Atmosphere: 3/5 - since they have outside seating, more shoud be done to allow guests to sit on soft cushions and keep warm.
Prices: 1/5 - for what you get, the drinks are very pricy.
Location: 5/5 - perfect - down town - and a nice place to show off Oslo with.
Age of guests in party: 35 - 45.
13/25 points.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Hard Rock, Oslo
Prior to leaving - thought:
Every time we´ve been there, we have left disappointed in the food - for some reason they leave the food under the "kepp warm" lamp too long before serving. Last time the sauce on the food was hardened. This means that they either have finished dishes just waiting to be ordered or they are slow (very) in serving.
The same thing applies to TGIF.
I get that these restaurants servce a fixed menu and many eat there, but why not deliver up to their potential?
Probably because we, their guests, do not complain.
"The experience"
Greeted with the usual happy smiles, got the table we has almost asked for - but this was good enough. Waiter was fun, happy and attentive.
Drinks ordered and a started ordered since the rest of the gang were arrived a little later than us.
Margarita and Island Ice Tea. Maragrita was weak in taste, too sweet, god knows if there was any booze in it. But still the margarita mix (!) was present. Island Ice Tea was "better than the ones you get in Norgwegian bars"- direct quote. Chicken tenders with an extra added sauce were good thanks to the sauce, however, too deep fried to be classified as tender.
Rest of the gang in place, orders taken and a new margarita and beers servced. Now the margarita was closer to water than margarita mix.
Ceasar sallad, hamburgers and fajitas were served. Everyone seemed to lika their food. The hamburgers "fine". However, the chicken breast on the ceasars sallad was probable fried earlier that day and was dry and cold. The size - well if it hadn´t had the shape of a breast, then I would guess 1/3 of a normal sized chicken breast.The dressing was based in one area of the plate, don´t think the sallad was tossed before serving.
After dinner, a cappuccino and a last shot at the margarita. I think the house took home the money on both of them.
Usually after 3 margaritas, walking down stairs can be a challenge, trying to walk in the perfect manner. After 3 margaritas at Hard Rock, yu could easily run down the stairs.
Service: 4/5 - even the Norwegian waitresses spoke English to us, attentive waiter and good service.
Food: 4/5 - since 4 out 5 gustes ate everything on their plates. But no one dared order the ribs since they usually are wamred up and the sauce hardened.
Drinks: 2/5 - Correct (Long) Island Ice tea, margarita too watery, no booze. But the beed was beer.
Price: 2/5 - have the prices gone up? The entrees were almost the the same prices as the cheaper main courses, but the portions small.
Environment/Atmosphere: 3/5 - Everyone knows what they get at Hard Rock! But the bathroom needs another cleaning - even this early in the evening.
Location: 5/5 - perfect - down town - in the middle of most things.
Ages of guests in party: 26 - 35 and 36 - 45.
20/30 points.
The evenings activities called, so off we went.
Every time we´ve been there, we have left disappointed in the food - for some reason they leave the food under the "kepp warm" lamp too long before serving. Last time the sauce on the food was hardened. This means that they either have finished dishes just waiting to be ordered or they are slow (very) in serving.
The same thing applies to TGIF.
I get that these restaurants servce a fixed menu and many eat there, but why not deliver up to their potential?
Probably because we, their guests, do not complain.
"The experience"
Greeted with the usual happy smiles, got the table we has almost asked for - but this was good enough. Waiter was fun, happy and attentive.
Drinks ordered and a started ordered since the rest of the gang were arrived a little later than us.
Margarita and Island Ice Tea. Maragrita was weak in taste, too sweet, god knows if there was any booze in it. But still the margarita mix (!) was present. Island Ice Tea was "better than the ones you get in Norgwegian bars"- direct quote. Chicken tenders with an extra added sauce were good thanks to the sauce, however, too deep fried to be classified as tender.
Rest of the gang in place, orders taken and a new margarita and beers servced. Now the margarita was closer to water than margarita mix.
Ceasar sallad, hamburgers and fajitas were served. Everyone seemed to lika their food. The hamburgers "fine". However, the chicken breast on the ceasars sallad was probable fried earlier that day and was dry and cold. The size - well if it hadn´t had the shape of a breast, then I would guess 1/3 of a normal sized chicken breast.The dressing was based in one area of the plate, don´t think the sallad was tossed before serving.
After dinner, a cappuccino and a last shot at the margarita. I think the house took home the money on both of them.
Usually after 3 margaritas, walking down stairs can be a challenge, trying to walk in the perfect manner. After 3 margaritas at Hard Rock, yu could easily run down the stairs.
Service: 4/5 - even the Norwegian waitresses spoke English to us, attentive waiter and good service.
Food: 4/5 - since 4 out 5 gustes ate everything on their plates. But no one dared order the ribs since they usually are wamred up and the sauce hardened.
Drinks: 2/5 - Correct (Long) Island Ice tea, margarita too watery, no booze. But the beed was beer.
Price: 2/5 - have the prices gone up? The entrees were almost the the same prices as the cheaper main courses, but the portions small.
Environment/Atmosphere: 3/5 - Everyone knows what they get at Hard Rock! But the bathroom needs another cleaning - even this early in the evening.
Location: 5/5 - perfect - down town - in the middle of most things.
Ages of guests in party: 26 - 35 and 36 - 45.
20/30 points.
The evenings activities called, so off we went.
Cru vinbar og kjøkken
Wow what a wonderful place!
We walked the dogs Friday afternoon, tripped over the entrance and looked up. It looked very inviting. Went home, called for reservations. Saturday 19:00.
Good table for 2, a little small but very cosy. When arriving you do not really know if you should go down or up the stairs...fortunately a waitress is there to look after you very shortly upon arriving. Welcoming smiles, fun mixed menu and of course the mandatory glas och champagne.
Service: 5/5 - smiles, properly attentive, knew their business, and listened to their guests/saw their needs.
Food: 4/5 - mashed potatoes to the trout had no taste compared to the vibrant trout, color and taste.
Drink: 5/5 - they knew their stuff! They even have a wine cellar on the second floor ;-)
Price: 5/5 - the prices were fitting to being able to combine your menu with the 8 different dishes.
Environment/Atmosphere: 4/5 - the seating area on the second floor was a little too lighted
Location: 5/5 - perfect - down town but quiet - perfect combination.
Age of guests in party: 35 - 45.
28/30 points.
They do not serve lunch but do have an afternoon menu between 16:00 - 18:00.
Warmly recommended, as long as there is room for a table for us!
Cru vinbar og kjøkken
Ingelbrecht Knudssøns gate 1,
Oslo, Norway
We walked the dogs Friday afternoon, tripped over the entrance and looked up. It looked very inviting. Went home, called for reservations. Saturday 19:00.
Good table for 2, a little small but very cosy. When arriving you do not really know if you should go down or up the stairs...fortunately a waitress is there to look after you very shortly upon arriving. Welcoming smiles, fun mixed menu and of course the mandatory glas och champagne.
Service: 5/5 - smiles, properly attentive, knew their business, and listened to their guests/saw their needs.
Food: 4/5 - mashed potatoes to the trout had no taste compared to the vibrant trout, color and taste.
Drink: 5/5 - they knew their stuff! They even have a wine cellar on the second floor ;-)
Price: 5/5 - the prices were fitting to being able to combine your menu with the 8 different dishes.
Environment/Atmosphere: 4/5 - the seating area on the second floor was a little too lighted
Location: 5/5 - perfect - down town but quiet - perfect combination.
Age of guests in party: 35 - 45.
28/30 points.
They do not serve lunch but do have an afternoon menu between 16:00 - 18:00.
Warmly recommended, as long as there is room for a table for us!
Cru vinbar og kjøkken
Ingelbrecht Knudssøns gate 1,
Oslo, Norway
Best photo places in Oslo
With the weather getting colder, some areas of Oslo are worth a visit with your camera.
1 - Nils Juls gate - from Bygdø Alle down to Drammensveien - right hand side - a beautiful wall overground with vines, changing between green deep red and orange!
2 - Bygdø - the water front path leading by the stables to the Folke Museum.
3 - Akerselva - different views from the lake to the sea.
4 - Norwegians sitting outside at the cafe freezing - catching the last warm rays.
3 - Akerselva - different views from the lake to the sea.
4 - Norwegians sitting outside at the cafe freezing - catching the last warm rays.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Going from an early 80s flat to the perfect penthouse! Holtet Entreprenørvirksomhet AS
Never thought taking down a wall would result in a penthouse. Holtet Entreprenørvirksomhet AS in Oslo made the impossible possible! With a minimum of demands from my side and a personality check from their side - the result was what I had pictured in my mind!
The service is very personal, Holtet handles each customer as if it was their own home - which is something you realize when you see the finish, the dedication and especially when you compare to your friends´ renovations :-)
We started out looking for apartments in the right places with large balconies. After one meeting at Holtet, they went with us on a Sunday to look at a potential apartment. Having an expert builder with you (free of charge!!!) felt extremely secure. After viewing the apartment - Holtet gave us an indication of the max. price for the apartment, since a total renovation was needed. Everything ended in us not buying the apartment, since the price went over the max. price if was worth in the state it was in.
A few months later, we bought a top floor apartment with a 20 sqm roof top balcony. Unfortunately the standard was early 80s...but livable. We "only" wanted to renovate the kitchen and put in a new floor in the kitchen area. Like many other apartments from the 80s in Oslo - what was found behind the walls and under the floor was not up to the standard it should have been.
Holtet jumped to the task - finding the most reasonable solution, showing us where to invest and where to find more bang fore the buck solutions. They put together everything from our new IKEA kitchen, to securing our balcony, inserting new windows and finding the perfect color for the whole apartment based on the lighting in each room. Not one room was had straight angles - but this is impossible to see today. All project management, trips together to the different supplies was free. The rebates Holtet has negotiated, we also received, allowing us to get finer flooring inside and outside. We even got automatic heat in the balcony floor in case of snow and colder autum evenings. It almost makes you wish for a test snowstorm to see it work! No snow suffling for us!
Due to late arrival, the fireplace is now being built according to our design. Well almost - Holtet put in their veto on the height and size - honest feedback, they know their stuff. Now when I see the fireplace take form - they we so right. This is what they do for a living and they do it very well! In a warm and honest way.
Our 80´s apartment is now a soothing, modern, warm and welcoming home with a beautiful balcony and a cute "wet" bar.
I sincerely recommend Holtet Entreprenørvirksomhet AS , Raschs vei 1 B, 1178 Oslo 926 85 815. They work for you, as if it was their own house.
The service is very personal, Holtet handles each customer as if it was their own home - which is something you realize when you see the finish, the dedication and especially when you compare to your friends´ renovations :-)
We started out looking for apartments in the right places with large balconies. After one meeting at Holtet, they went with us on a Sunday to look at a potential apartment. Having an expert builder with you (free of charge!!!) felt extremely secure. After viewing the apartment - Holtet gave us an indication of the max. price for the apartment, since a total renovation was needed. Everything ended in us not buying the apartment, since the price went over the max. price if was worth in the state it was in.
A few months later, we bought a top floor apartment with a 20 sqm roof top balcony. Unfortunately the standard was early 80s...but livable. We "only" wanted to renovate the kitchen and put in a new floor in the kitchen area. Like many other apartments from the 80s in Oslo - what was found behind the walls and under the floor was not up to the standard it should have been.
Holtet jumped to the task - finding the most reasonable solution, showing us where to invest and where to find more bang fore the buck solutions. They put together everything from our new IKEA kitchen, to securing our balcony, inserting new windows and finding the perfect color for the whole apartment based on the lighting in each room. Not one room was had straight angles - but this is impossible to see today. All project management, trips together to the different supplies was free. The rebates Holtet has negotiated, we also received, allowing us to get finer flooring inside and outside. We even got automatic heat in the balcony floor in case of snow and colder autum evenings. It almost makes you wish for a test snowstorm to see it work! No snow suffling for us!
Due to late arrival, the fireplace is now being built according to our design. Well almost - Holtet put in their veto on the height and size - honest feedback, they know their stuff. Now when I see the fireplace take form - they we so right. This is what they do for a living and they do it very well! In a warm and honest way.
Our 80´s apartment is now a soothing, modern, warm and welcoming home with a beautiful balcony and a cute "wet" bar.
I sincerely recommend Holtet Entreprenørvirksomhet AS , Raschs vei 1 B, 1178 Oslo 926 85 815. They work for you, as if it was their own house.
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