Smag & Behag AS — Restaurant in Grimstad

I recently dined at Smag & Behag AS with a group of 6 friends, and unfortunately, the experience left much to be desired. Upon our arrival, we were met with a sense of disarray. Our reserved table felt rushed and poorly set up, with lumped-together cutlery and mismatched chairs. The staff mentioned that the downstairs restaurant was fully occupied, which might have contributed to the initial disorganization.

The most significant letdown of the evening was the pacing of the meal. We had opted for the 5-course meal, but the timing between courses was notably off. We found ourselves waiting for a concerning 25 to 35 minutes between each course. While we were anticipating a leisurely dining experience, the excessive waiting times made the meal feel excessively prolonged. In the end, we spent around 3 and a half hours at the restaurant, which was far longer than we had anticipated or hoped for.

Compounding our dissatisfaction was a major oversight in catering to dietary restrictions. One of our party members had a nut allergy, which was explicitly communicated to our server. Unfortunately, this crucial detail was overlooked, and the individual ended up with nuts in their dessert. The blame was placed on the kitchen, which was disappointing considering the importance of such allergy-related requests.

Turning to the culinary aspect, the dishes left a mixed impression. Regrettably, some of the offerings lacked proper seasoning, which significantly impacted the overall enjoyment. However, it wasn't all disappointing. The ceviche and monkfish stood out as beacons of flavor and skillful preparation. These dishes managed to salvage some of the dining experience, showcasing the...

I was in Grimstad for work, and was looking for somewhere to have dinner. I did not expect to end up eating the best burger and chips I have ever eaten..........every forkful was absolutely divine!!!!!!! BUT, this sounds like a dis-service to the quality of the food. This is not a ‘burger joint’! Every plate that left the open kitchen looked stunning, and if they were half as good as my burger, fries, freshly-made mayo, and freshly-made bbq sauce then they would have been to die for! I’m here until the end of the week and it is my intention to return and try their set menu, as I don’t think I could forgive myself if I didn’t!!!! Oh, and did I mention the local blonde beer was almost as delicious as my burger? Or the fact that the serving staff were excellent, and the chef that spoke to me exceedingly nice and very enthusiastic about their restaurant, and food they are serving!!!!!! What a delightful place! If you’re anywhere near Grimstad, do yourself a favour and come try the...

What a gem! We were travelling from Australia and stumbled onto the town of Grimstad and the Smag & Behag. With no reservation for dinner they quickly found a table for us. The wait staff were professional and attentive. We got to talking with the owner and his enthusiasm and passion for the restaurant and town was infectious. We only wish we could have stayed longer to enjoy another meal there. Thoroughly enjoyed the fish soup and local beer, watching the snow fall outside through the floor to ceiling windows. Highly recommend stopping in if you...