Sjømagasinet — Restaurant in Oslo

Would not recommend. Not sure what happened for the restaurant for the night since most reviews seem positive. The service was almost nonexistent, after being seated and given menus, took 20mins before being asked for drinks and our order. Food was interesting. Oysters were good, though non oyster forks provided and we were left with the empty oysters until the starters came. Scallops over cooked, still had good flavour. Only 2 for the serve, not large size. Tuna tartare had good flavour too. Both had strange combinations. The scallop dried tomato, Jerusalem artichoke puree, yuzu sorbet, dried leeks and alot of orange marmalade. All over powered the scallops. For mains the lobster salad was disappointing. Very over cooked lobster, bullet like, seemed to have been cooked hours ago and played up cold. Though flavour was ok. A lot of lettuce, with oyster mushrooms, dried tomato, sugared zucchini skin, raw carrots… the list goes on. All did not go with the lobster. Other main was the fish of the day as halibut. Well cooked halibut, tasty sauce and decent condiments of asparagus and mash potato, also we one slice of cabbage and oyster mushrooms. The sauce from the halibut fish went well with the over cooked lobster. Between the starter and main we asked to see the wine list, then was not asked if we wanted another glass of wine until our mains came. Both service and food were disappointing. A shame as it’s Michelin recommended, which for me has made me question the Michelin guide and its category of recommendations. The wines tried on the night were good, the restaurant could have gotten an extra 2 glasses from us if they provided...

Personally, I found Sjomagasinet to be disappointingly mediocre with the food/service being inconsistent and the atmosphere being uninviting, particularly for the price (and, yes, I know Oslo is generally expensive). My wife and I reserved a table for two during a two-night stopover in Oslo to celebrate our 20th anniversary and were excited to try it. From the start, it was confusing where to check in and then we were seated at a cramped two-top table pushed up against a corner wall tightly placed next to another table of two even though the rest of the very large (and more appealing) seating area was widely available. We tried the 5-course seasonal tasting menu and it was up-and-down - the bread was cold and tough, the Yellowfin appetizer was great, the gazpacho tasted like pureed peas, the "catch of the day" was well cooked with excellent flavor, the lambchop was good, and the dessert ("their take on pavlova" according to the waitress) was underwhelming. The waitstaff rarely described what we were eating unless asked and the real topper of the evening was when my wife asked for coffee with cream, and we were served some version of an Irish coffee with what tasted like rancid butter on top. In summary and in hindsight, I feel Oslo offers many enticing fine dining options and, should we return to this beautiful city, I would choose another restaurant over returning to...

My Starter King Crab and Main Course was Excellent, Fresh Grill Lobster from the tank.

My Waitress was rude, Cold as Ice, Roughy placed the Menu in my Hand, no Explanation and walked away, her name was Joanna M, this happened on 20.3.17 my table was booked for 17:00hr. Joanna dumped the bread my table, without a Smile, she displayed a very annoyed gesture. So I kindly asked the Manager, if Joanna M may not wait on my table.

My bill was NOK1600.00 for the meal and I tipped generously because the food was outstanding.

During my Regularly Business Travels, I patronize the Excellent Restaurants: Harrods, Zuma, Nobu, Hakassan, Alain Ducasse, Theo Randall, Roka, The Oval Restaurant, Bar One, Jean-Georges, Marea, Alex Sushi, Asia, Hanami, & Nodee, the Waitress Staff are very Professional, Welcoming and Great Customer Service.

Joanna needs to be professionally trained to offer an Equal Opportunity Service to all Customers.

The Other Waiter Gentleman wearing Glasses and the Manager were very professional, otherwise I would have walked-out of this restaurant, 1 minute walk away there is a Restaurant called Hanami and Alex Sushi, ALWAYS Great Food & Service to Surpass expectations.

Ms Pamela S Booked Table...