There are really no purely Norwegian restaurants in New York. One of the main reasons is that the few restaurants that do embrace Nordic Cooking are billed as "Scandinavian Cuisine" and the countries of Scandinavia are incorporated together. However, because Morten Solberg, the Executive Director/Head Chef of  Smorgas Chef in the Scandinavian House is Norwegian, I will feature this restaurant under Norway.

One of my favorite features of Smorgas Chef at Scandinavia House is the space itself. The space is airy with soaring ceilings, colorful bright wooden chairs, and a large birch tree in the center of the dining room. That's right, a real birch tree! The restaurant has an arresting feeling of calm, as if you are in a bucolic setting, and certainly far from the hectic crush of mid-day lunch in Midtown.

I have eaten at Smorgas Chef many times, as I am a big enthusiast of the art/film/music programs that Scandinavia House puts on. The food is good and very representative of "Scandinavian cuisine." I am especially fond of the Swedish Meatballs and the Cured Gravlox Plate. However, for a diner wanting to try this cuisine for the first time, I strongly suggest the Classic Smorgasbord.  This plate will give you an outstanding overview of the important Scandinavian foods. It consists of the following: Gravlaks, Jasson's Potatoes, Swedish Meatballs, Spiced Hearing, Rosolli Apple-Beat Salad, and Dill Cumbers. 

The 72-Hour Aquavit Cured Gravlaks, house-cured salmon, fingerling potatoes, dill cucumber salad, mustard sauce.

Swedish Meatballs, with lingonberries, mashed potatoes and pickled red cabbage.

Smorgas has some very delicious desserts. My favorite is the Swedish Princess Cake.

The Scandinavia House is one of the most underrated museums in the city, and is an excellent place to learn more about the cultures of the Scandinavian countries. Currently on view is the exhibition "Painting Tranquility,"  featuring the 19th Century Danish artist, Vilhelm Hammershoi. The show runs until February 27th.

Norwegian language lesson - "Hello"  (God Dag)   "Thank you"  (Takk)  "Delicious"  (Saftig)

Interesting fact about Norway - Norway is the world's most peaceful country, according to the Global Peace Index.

Address - 58 Park Avenue (37-38th Street) inside Scandinavia House  (212) 847 - 9745