Engebret café is the oldest in Oslo dating from 1857 and with former patrons like Henrik Ibsen, Edvard Grieg, and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson from Norway. It sits directly north of Akershus Castle Fortress in two buildings that have been joined together to form this establishment. Located beside the old Christiania Theatre it was therefore a popular destination for writers and artists. This year it was where my wife DianeCA took me for a Birthday surprise date and we gladly take you along (of course I had my Cannon G11 and Nokia X6 at hand to capture this adventure) – so let’s start with the facade which has been preserved as an architectural landmark (click pics to bigify & enjoy):
The ambiance here is wonderful as the restaurant has retained its 19th century interior with an old-fashioned atmosphere and excellent food, served in a former bohemian literati haunt. Here is a peek from my birthday date: the entrée and our table:
Traditional Norwegian seafood and game dishes:
During lunch, a tempting selection of open-faced sandwiches is available. The elaborate dinner menu features special and traditional Norwegian seafood as well as game dishes. Since its now late autumn (after the hunting season) and closer to Christmas, some very special Norwegian cuisine is available – as I have described in previous posts: Ribbe, Reindeer, Pinnekjøtt, Salmon, Lutefisk, Rakfisk etc., but even more at Engebret – and here we are at the crucial point – the reason my beloved wife invited me here: To let me try (out of many different cuisine from around the world I’ve already tried) a really special Norwegian one. I’ll get back to that in a minute as I’d like to share our dinner step by step – first the table setting:
Left: Fancy menu and silver – Right: Condiments (mustard, bacon bits, honey, flatbread and lefse)
The appetizer – Rakfisk:
Made from trout or sometimes char, it’s salted and fermented for two to three months, then eaten without cooking. The first record of the term “rakfisk” dates back to 1348, but the history of this food is probably even older. Traditionally it’s served sliced or as a fillet on flatbread or lefse with almond potatoes. Some also use raw onion, sour cream, mustard-sauce, a mild form of mustard with dill. This is food where Norwegians often drinks aquavit & beer and Engebret café served it this way:
Two pieces of fish, flatbread, lefse, onion and creme freche.
My birthday surprise – Smalahove (Lamb head):
Made from a sheep’s head, the skin and fleece of the head is burned off over an open flame and the brain removed. The head is then salted, sometimes smoked, and dried. To prepare it for the dinner it is then boiled for about 3 hours and served with mashed rutabaga and potatoes. It is considered by some to be unappealing or even repulsive, so it’s mostly enjoyed by enthusiasts or served to tourists and braver visitors. My regular readers know I belong to the first category:
Left: Smalahove dish – Right: Birthday boy digging in
As soon as you overcome the grotesque look – either by chemical displacement (aquavit and beer is a natural choice) or by sheer will – the meat is very tender and tastes really good. Part of the reason why Norwegians eat it, is our tradition of using all of the resources from the animal. The head is usually a leftover product, but in old ages when there was lack of food it was necessary not to waste anything. Today the head is an expensive delicacy. So without bragging too much of Norwegian food, I would say it’s a world class exotic delicacy – or at least exotic.
Dessert – A soft & sweet landing: Caramel Pudding:
After the taste of smoked and salted meat, another traditional Christmas dessert is recommended – especially the one from Engebret: Caramel pudding:
I prefer coffee & cognac with it and since it was my day, I had Rémy Martin XO Spécial!
So this was my beloved Wife Diane’s surprise date for my birthday this year. To me it made one of my food dreams come true and it exceeded my expectations – my very first smalahove and I can tell you: it won’t be the last one! Thanks also to Engebret café and their staff for excellent service – go visit their web page for more information!
Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone for the many birthday greetings I have received on my Facebook wall and in Blogsphere; Especially TorAa and Comedy Plus who even posted greetings on their blogs. The Christmas season is starting soon, and we will be travelling a bit in the next few weeks as well. So those who enjoy my travels and food posts will likely have something to look forward to
:-)
Wow, this was a big deal indeed. You know I understand about not wasting anything. I had a Japanese girlfriend many years ago that told me the same thing. We don’t waste any part of an animal. We eat it all. I’ve never forgotten that and this post reminded me of her heritage.
Dinner looked divine as always and I’m not sure I could do that entree, but a big bravo to you for giving it a go. I’m glad you liked it and will have it again. The dessert looks yummy as well. Your lovely wife did very, very well.
You are most welcome for the birthday wishes. I just love to sing happy birthday.
Have a terrific day and I’ll be awaiting your holiday travels. Big hug to you both. :)
Hello Renny !
I’m glad you spend it! Thank you for teaching the magnificent dining Norway. In Spain also is a delicacy to eat the lamb’s head.
Open your blog as always is to open a window to my beloved Norway. I love to have known such wonderful people like you.
A bear hug
What a wonderful birthday surprise. This year for my birthday I think I will just have Jack get some lovely Maine Lobster.
I do not think that can compete with your dinner though!
This traditional establishment has had ups and downs during the years – but I’m happy that it’s still there, conserving the historical interieur – it’s unique.
And what a great idea Di had to “just invite” you there for a very special, and local Norwegian meal.
Must have been a great event to remember.
btw. Oldest Cafe in Oslo is where Henrik Wergeland did visit. Closer to Havnelageret from Engebret. It’s called Grei.
http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grei_Kaf%C3%A9
Hi Renny!
This is very funny: I recognized at a glance this Café! We’ve been walking in that square sunday, before going to the Castle (after Oslo Blog Gathering).
We found it so pitoresque and beautifull, that we made several pictures from the façade, more and more close to it, and we told each other “Oh, really it’s a pity that it is still morning, because it would be a lovely place to have lunch!”
I only didn’t remember its name: “Engebret”.
It will happen the same with you with the old and beautifull Cafés in Lisbon… You will take pictures of it and one day, you see one of them in my Blog and you say “Hei! I’ve been there!”
I just found out reading TorAa’s blog that it was your birthday. Happy birthday and many returns! The surprise dinner looks very elegant and flavorful. I can tell you enjoyed it. Diane is quite a lady with great taste.
Just came from Tor’s Blog and discovered it is your BIRTHDAY! Hooray Renny! A VERY VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU AND MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY MORE, TO COME!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS, MY DEAR RENNY!
Hey Renny, I’ve seen on TV about the sheep head and yes would be hesitate to try too :) But this looks yummy too.
Glad you had a great time Renny :D
What a lovely surprise and amazing to eat somewhere that has had such distinguised patrons.
While I was in Europe this year I revelled in the history and the old architecture. I do miss that now I am back in the much younger (as far as overseas settlement is concerned) Australia.
It’s almost worth aging another year to be treated to a meal like that (well, the dessert part) – I’m not sure I could have ordered your starter and main!
Now that looks like a great bday dinner! You know maybe this year we will go out for mine! One last time as two of us. I must say I would only taste the head if I was given a taste. But the dessert, well you won me over there!!! Yummy! ;-)
What a great report from the bday boy!
Looks good! Perfect winter food, and the setting is amazing. Intimate enough yet no so classy that you feel uncomfortable.
You are the king of good food :lol:
I’ve already sent you birthday greetings at Tor’s site but surely you haven’t seen that. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Renny, again and again. Sometimes it takes several days to celebrate a good birthday! :)
I think I’ll pass on the sheep’s head, leaving you with all of it. As we say, It’s all yours!
You seem to always be eating in the most awesome places!
btw belated happy birthday
Mmmm delicious food, Renny!
Hi, my friend!
You had a fabulous B-day; Diane had a fantastic idea! That caramel pudding looks scrumptious; I swear. I love lamb too, but not the head lol.
Thanks for sharing this with us; I love the way Norways preserve their history and traditions so well!
Cheers