I had expected a 'pub' pub as the English word implies but The Flying Elk looks like a proper restaurant, a popular and buzzing but cosy bistro. We opted for Björn Frantzéns Tasting Menu (695K), about £61 for 6 courses, a relative bargain here. I did however pull back on the beer as alcohol is notoriously expensive in Sweden. In fact our trip here was the most sober holiday I've ever had, not necessarily a bad thing. I did enjoy the Swedish beer here, a beautifully tangy fresh IPA from Omnipollo. (112K - £9.86 each. Looking now at the receipt, I had went mad on three halves!)
Mrs B enjoys a goldfish bowl of Gin & Tonic. (155K - £13.60).
Oysters fine de Normandie. Elderflower cream, dried gooseberries & walnut.
Vendace Roe from Kalix.
Cauliflower & spelt langos with lightly fried pork belly, sour cream, browned butter & pickled onions. (Above). Also as an extra course we ordered the steak tartare. (Below, 155K - £13.60).
Truffled scrambled eggs, “pommes paille” & lightly smoked browned butter. The finest scallops we've ever had. They just melt on your tongue. Apparently this used to be on the menu at Frantzén and a favourite of the staff who work here. Just superb.
Short Ribs glazed with sundried tomato juice, smoked chili and green onions.
Crème of roasted corn & garlic, confit of tomatoes from Viken & salad of young spinach watercress and arugula with limonette. A beautiful piece of meat. Eton Mess.
Swiss meringue with toasted white chocolate, strawberries x 4 with lemon verbena served with vanilla & ginger buttermilk mousse.

We've been to quite a few bistros owned by chefs with higher end restaurants in Spain and quite often we've enjoyed them as much if not more than the Michelin star sister venue. I think in part it's their supreme understanding of flavour but combined with dish selections that are perhaps necessarily more populist which seems to be so successful.
I never got to try Restaurant Frantzén to compare but we loved The Flying Elk, the food and service is superb here. One of the (perhaps surprising) highlights of the year.

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