Sarah Dawn Finer Concert

30 November 2019

Volunteer duties with Kompis Sverige to bring a group to Sarah Dawn Finer concert. It was a luxurious venue for a concert at Waterfront Congress Center. It was my first time in this venue and I was awe by its size. Well, I have not been to Friends Arena or Tele2 Arena but I suppose those 2 venues are larger as they have football events there too.

This was a lovely 3-hour concert with the theme of winter songs and what a cozy way to the start of Christmas' countdown. She sang and narrated a bit of her life intermittently. I did think there was slightly too much of talking. She is a host too, anyway, so it is not surprising that she talks a lot. 

Tastebud : Indian Curry House

30 November 2019

Chicken balti at Indian Curry House for SEK159. Rice and salad is included. Curry is yummy on a cold winter day.

Christmas Market at Skansen

30 November 2019

This is my first and last Christmas market that I visited in 2019 as I went back home in December. Skansen opened its Christmas market on the last day of November till a few days before Christmas which is celebrated on 24 December here. Entrance fees cost SEK170 per person. It snowed the day before so it was a beautiful sight in Skansen. We went inside the workshops or cottages just to get some warmth! It was a bit of a squeeze too because the space is really small, and I think most of the visitors have the same thinking as us - to get some warmth. 

By the way, Skansen is an open-air museum and a zoo too. We did not go to the zoo area. I doubt one can see any animals. 

There is a garden in Skansen but as you can see, there are no flowers.

We got to try some dried and hard bread here. The ladies were making them on the spot. You can imagine that it is really warm inside here.

Tastebud : Pascal Cafe

30 November 2019

Breakfast at Pascal Cafe. There were lots of good reviews of Pascal Cafe, and is supposedly the best cafe in town. I did not think it was any different from any cafes. Because it was said to be the best, this cafe is packed! It was difficult to look for a space to sit and finally decided to sit next to a couple.

The croissants smell really good! So, we had croissants with egg salad and cheese, and smoked meat. There are two different croissants, of course. Each costs SEK67. A cup of latte for SEK42 each. As the croissant smell so good, we could not resist the temptation to buy a pistachio croissant and saffron bun. 

Tastebud : Oaxen Slip (Christmas buffet)

27 November 2019

This is my 2nd Christmas buffet table that costs so much more than my first one in Engelen. This is the luxurious version of SEK875! Despite the price, each table was occupied. Also, any no-shows after booking has to pay a fine of SEK500. This place has more variety. For e.g. 20 types of pickled herring (only 4 in Engelen), 12 types of cold and warm smoked meat (lamb, pork, turkey, liver), 3 types of salmon and so many kinds of desserts. Next year, I will just stick to one Christmas buffet table only or maybe none at all. 

Plus, this place has a boat on the ceiling. 

I took almost every dish but not all of the dessert (I took the chocolate praline only). Needless to say, I was very stuffed.

Tastebud : Engelen (Christmas buffet)

25 November 2019

This year, I experienced my first Christmas table buffet, also fondly known as julbord (pronounced as yool-board which means Christmas table). Christmas buffets start as early as the last week of November. You will be surprised to know that Christmas table buffets cost a lot per person and it is difficult to find an affordable. We found one that costs SEK395 per person in Engelen pub on a Monday evening. Christmas table buffets cost more from Thursdays to Sundays. As it costs only SEK395, they have the basic dishes for a Christmas table buffet. I was happy enough to try the basic ones because I was very stuffed by the end of the dinner. I ordered a non-alcoholic cider for SEK45.

There was a live band in the dining room which made it difficult for us to hear one another. So, we ate and enjoyed our meal. 

Tastebud : Berns (2nd time)

22 November 2019

Asian dinner at Berns. Previously, I had tried brunch at Berns. Since we have a gift card with a value of SEK800, we ordered sufficient food up to the value of SEK800. We had edamame beans, fried chicken, noodles with meatballs, pao with fillings and of course, dessert.

Tastebud : Nya Carnegie

21 November 2019

To pub we go for dinner at Nya Carnegie. You can see its own brewery system here.

I had the classic burger on brioche with beer-boiled onion, Monterey Jack cheese, iceberg salad, caprism mayonnaise and french fries - SEK195. For beer, I had sour beer. The beer here is more expensive than the one at Man on the moon where their classic burger costs SEK190.

Tastebud : Gretas in Haymarket by Scandic (3rd time)

19 November 2019

Different food to try at Gretas that is located in Haymarket by Scandic.

We shared röding (a kind of fish) with lobster sauce, crab croquettes and fennel for SEK255 and fried squid with aioli for SEK135. I enjoyed both dishes. My friend did not enjoy the röding. Simple reason as it did not match her tastebuds. Haha!

Tastebud : Falloumi

13 November 2019

Falafel for dinner after gym. I felt very healthy that evening. Going vegetarian after gym. But honestly, it was a good vegetarian meal at Falloumi. I had my falafel in wrapped bread and it costs SEK90. I took quite sometime to finish my meal and I was very full afterwards. The interior design of the building is funny! Look at the clothes hanging on top and a window in the wall. 

Tastebud : Wang by Wang (in K25)

12 November 2019

Today, I went to K25 that is an indoor food court. I tried Chinese food because I thought the food looks so tempting, and I am referring to the crispy chicken bowl by Wang by Wang. Not only do they look good, but they taste so good too! I have no idea what is their marinated sauce but it is so worth the SEK115 /RM57.50 paid. Underneath the chicken is rice and surrounded by some vegetables. 

Tastebud : Lord

8 November 2019

Today, I tried Indian food at Lord. I bought a meal deal from Let's Deal for SEK79. It comes with naan bread and a drink can, and I get to choose from 3 different dishes. There were chicken curry, lamb curry and sizzling chicken. I took the lamb curry.

Unfortunately, the service was very bad in the restaurant. We waited for a bit before someone came to our table. I do not think I will come here again, though. 

Tastebud : Gretas (2nd time)

5 November 2019

Today, my friend treated me to an apple cake and fried squid at Gretas which is located inside Haymarket by Scandic. It is a posh cafe and my friend chose this place to discuss about her studies. I took an Americano coffee which is the cup on the right. The plate of fried squid came with aioli sauce and I think it is costly for the small plate of squid. It costs SEK135 / RM62.50, by the way. My Americano costs SEK36 / RM18. I did not realise it is so bitter. 

Overnight camping on Utö

2 November 2019

I read recently that November is the most horrible month in Sweden. It gets darker and colder. December is better because there is snow and it is white. Plus, people have acclimatized to the darkness in November. So, many people do not like November. This is my third November in Sweden and I did not find it a problem in the first two Novembers. So, I read that one of the methods to beat the dark and cold November is to be out as often as possible, in the nature or in restaurants. Just do not stay at home and mope. I started my November right by camping on the first weekend!

We went to Utö which is one of the islands on the archipelago. This island is huge and has all the facilities for tourists - a hotel, an inn, many cottages, and a hiking trail that is well taken care of. We took the commuter train to Västerhaninge station and took the bus to Årsta brygga, and finally the ferry to Utö. We reached the jetty at 10.13am and arrived on the island at 10.55am. All the transportation is covered under the SL train card. You can guess that it was really cold. It was 3 degrees that weekend.

This shed that is by the jetty has two toilets, water and seats but no heater.