18/10/2025: After another beautiful day in the Danish sun, we decided to visit the small town of Ringkøbing and enjoy a five-course meal at the "Nordic" restaurant. The "Nordic" is centrally located on the market square, features stylish, minimalist decor (brick walls, lots of gray, black, and white), and bills itself as a fine-dining restaurant without a star, but with a Michelin mention. The service: exclusively tall, blonde Danish women – charming, friendly, but a bit "shirtsleeves" in the details – the table wasn't wiped despite spills, new cutlery sets were unclear, and drinks were rarely requested. Not a big deal – but worth mentioning in a fine-dining context.
The cuisine follows three mottos: seasonal ingredients, hospitality, and matching drinks. The latter was interpreted rather loosely ("Fanta also somehow goes well with the food"), but nonetheless: the house-brewed beer was a hit – fresh, well-rounded, and very drinkable. We skipped the wine menu (price issue), but both opted for the five-course menu for €80, which is a real bargain for Denmark.
And the food? Simply put: surprisingly delicious, honest, well-thought-out, no gimmicks, just perfectly cooked dishes with bold flavors.
Course 1: A soup of "Ingrid's peas" with mussels, chives, and a piece of haddock cooked in lardo – wonderfully aromatic, well-rounded, and a great start. The whole thing was topped off with incredibly delicious, freshly baked bread with salted butter – I could have eaten nothing but that all evening.
Course 2: Mackerel in a buttermilk sauce with parsley oil and roasted hazelnuts – meaty, slightly tart, with a lovely texture. The advertised horseradish, however, was nowhere to be found.
Course 3: A magnificent scallop with smoked butter sauce, sweet and sour pickled pumpkin, and deep-fried kale – bold flavors, skillfully combined.
Main Course (Variation 1): Beef tenderloin, cooked perfectly medium, with a crispy croquette, parsley puree, trumpet mushrooms, and Madeira sauce – classic, good, perhaps a little more bite in the croquette would have been desirable.
Main Course (Variation 2): Pan-fried fish with squid and a white sauce – also excellent, especially the squid: crispy on the outside, tender and salty on the inside.
Dessert: Quince, apple, ginger, and "Ivory" – a fine white chocolate in the shape of a sorbet-like ball, accompanied by another ball of quince, all in a sweet and sour apple cider sauce. Sounds good, and was delicious, but I felt it was missing something: perhaps more depth of chocolate, a bit of crunch, a fresh lemon note, or just a touch of cream.
We concluded the evening with a good cappuccino in a beautiful cup and the realization: This meal was harmonious all around, flavorful, and delightfully filling – something you don't always experience in fine dining. The cuisine could be bolder in some places, dare to use a bit more contrast, add a spiciness or playfulness – but honestly: I already love this place. A must-visit on any trip to Denmark.
04/10/2025: Fantastic afternoon and evening with good friends. Cozy atmosphere, friendly service and not least the food was an experience beyond the ordinary.
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