XL Diner — Restaurant in Ålesund

We went to the restaurant following a colleague`s recommendation and after reading the reviews. We were celebrating, and were expecting excelent food. But unfortunately we were disappointed.The restaurant servs 7 dishes pluss 2 desserts. We ordered the fish soup and the Xatch of the day, which we were told by the waiter it was codfish with grilled vegetables, baked potatos creamy spinach and scampi. This soundds delicious! However, we got salmon with boiled vegetables, baked potatoes, 3 spinach leaves floating in a bit of fish soup. The dish was watery and tasteless. I have definitely eaten better fish other places in Norway, but I never paied as much. I really would have liked to give a positive feedback on this restaurant. I have been told that we should have ordered the bacalao, which is excellent. But a restaurant should be able to serve more than one good dish. Pricing: it is overly expensive. However, on the positive side I can say that the restaurant is beautiful. We got a table with a view of the Ålesund port at sunset. Really enchanting. And that the staff is polite and nice, though we got wrong info...

I have been to Ålesund a couple of times before, but I have missed the opportunity to dine at XL Diner. Don't do the same mistake! I wen't alone this time, and that is probably why they found a table for me. It was a Saturday evening, and I could sense it was going to be a busy night. Nevertheless, the atmosphere was calm and soothing - perhaps due to the Italian/Spanish musical classics playing in the background. I had not heard of this place before I arrived, but I read a few reviews from earlier guests before deciding to order the "Klippfiskloin" (back loin of gran reserva clipfish) with a glass of white wine. The combination of Mediterranean flavours and the salty fish was amazing! And, you will not leave hungry! For desert, I had the Crème Brûlée, with a double espresso. Both to my tasting! I also want to salute the staff. They were forthcoming, not only to me but to the group of nine people who realised they had booked at a different restaurant. I highly recommend this place a visit - whether you go on your own, or...

Though the menu at XL Diner ranges fairly widely, many, like us, will come for its bacalao/klippfisk specialities. We weren't disappointed. Describing the traditional klippfisk as bacalao reflects the punchy recipes inspired by Spanish, Portuguese and Italian dishes. The chef-patron told us that the fish used is the mighty Skrei - a large migratory cod, fished off the Lofoten Islands - which is salted and preserved in Ålesund and aged for two years before being rehydrated and cooked. The fish is excellent - moist, meaty flakes - and stands up well to the Mediterranean flavourings. We started with a nicely-decorated creamy fish soup. Service was excellent and welcoming. The house French white wine is a little bit dull, but there are interesting other choices, reasonably priced (for Norway!). A very...