Page 37 - Decadence

Bringing some Scandinavian style to St James the latest Michelin star restaurant to hit London is Aquavit. This is the third of these eateries under executive chef Emma Bengtsson, the rst opening its doors in 1987 in midtown Manhattan, the second followed some years later in Tokyo, but the new
London spot is the rst in Europe. The NYC restaurant pioneered Scandinavian cuisine in the city and with its split dinning rooms offered both formal and casual dinning under its two Michelin stars.
London is more casual, oor to ceiling windows ood the dinning room with light, but as darkness draws in create a fabulous showcase of Nordic cool for the passerby. The style is quirky Nordic at its best. The square bar as you enter fronts the open kitchens whilst connecting you to the dinning area so a pre dinner cocktail is a great introduction to the meal ahead. Booths and tables offer great private corners whilst not separating you from the buzz and ambience of the restaurant, the marble oors and hard surfaces make it a little loud, but in a good way.
The cuisine is sh based, Scandinavia is surrounded by water, so their native food has always been from the sea, but meatballs and great cuts of meat balance the menu nicely. If your a fan of Herring then you are in for a real treat. We asked our waiter to bring us a selection of their signature dishes for
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