Helsingborg, Sweden is Ikea’s corporate headquarters, so you know they’re going to have tons of professionals burning the midnight oil. Certainly, executives don’t have time to be messing around with slow-cooking meats and roasted vegetables. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have a hankering for it, especially on a cold, blustery day! I was very glad to be hosted to experience it.
Inom during lunch is like if you had a sensible mom running a restaurant. There’s a daily special and soup — most moms are like, “That’s what’s for lunch,” — with salads put in bowls on the bar to help yourself. Can’t you just imagine your mom telling you, “If you want a little salad, I’ve got some on the counter. Go fix yourself some . . . what, are you waiting for an invitation? I’m not your waitress.” So, people know to fix themselves some bread or rye crisps, perhaps some beet salad or green salad.
I was there on a Friday, when the special entree was slow cooked beef roulade with cucumbers, lingonberries, dark cream sauce and whipped potatoes. It was very familiar, yet the berries and cucumbers added a pleasant tang to things, without it becoming odd. The meat was very tender and this definitely is a great comfort food.
There’s local mineral water available to drink and for dessert, there are creamy, local artisan truffles. That’s a great dessert idea, because most professionals don’t want to spend the workday lunch hour or their calories eating tons of cake or ice cream, but a two-bite confection hits the spot.
I learned that during happy hour, lots of professionals in the adjoining apartment complex head downstairs and make the place like a second living room. Might be a good idea to keep in mind to meet that special someone!
