Smak — Restaurant in Stockholm

It’s a good concept that you can build your own tasting menu here. Some dishes are 5-star, some are just so so. The pickled herring served in Toast Skagen way was very to my liking, the cheese, fish and buttery bread created a good balance and the fish roes added up the umami. 5-star. The beef tartar was made of minced meat but the texture got balanced with the crispy deep fried caramelized spring onion pieces. However the acidity of the pickled radish was overpowering the whole dish. 2-star. The beetroot served with hollandaise and mini tapioca pearls was an interesting creation. I like the layered textures of crispy kale, creamy sauce, crunchy beetroot and sticky tapioca. 4-star. The cod served in Thai styled sauce was a disappointment. The charred chili didn’t match the fish, the purée was a bit bitter, plus the mussels taste was not really noticeable. Above all, once again the acidity overpowered the whole dish. 1-star. The mushroom dumpling was pretty good, after all, the combination of mushroom, truffle and chicken fond can nicer go wrong. It could be better with less salt. 4-star. The tenderloin was barely warm when it was served and it was overcooked. I understand that they did not want the butter to melt directly, but butter, just like fond and sauce, can be served by the table. The tastes of the whole dish was nothing special either. 1-star. The white chocolate with blood range dessert was a pleasant surprise. The orange sorbet matched perfectly with the white chocolate cream, and the oats added up the texture to the dish. It was at perfect sweetness and acidity, and the aroma of all ingredients complimented each...

Smak, nestled in the heart of Stockholm, is a culinary haven that beckons with its well-crafted ambiance and exquisite fare. Walking through its doors, you're enveloped by an atmosphere of understated elegance, where every detail of the decor whispers sophistication.

The tasting menu is a triumph of gastronomic artistry. Each dish, meticulously curated, hits all the right notes—slight missteps where some flavors referenced were not very perceivable. Nonetheless from the first bite to the last, you're taken on a journey through flavors and textures that surprise and delight. The wine pairings, carefully selected, elevate the experience to an even higher plane, each glass a perfect companion to the plate before you.

Yet, there's a subtle disconnect in the service. The staff, efficient and undeniably competent, lack that extra layer of warmth and engagement found in top-tier establishments. You can’t help but feel that for them, this is just a job—a job they perform admirably, but without the passion that turns a meal into a memorable experience.

In the end, Smak delivers an impeccable dining experience with food and wine that would stand tall in any culinary landscape. However, the service leaves you wondering if there's a little something missing in the soul of the place. Nonetheless, it's a place to visit for any food lover passing...

Short: All things concidered one of the, if not the, best dinner experiences I've had. Anywhere.

Long: We arrived and were greeted by a very friendly waiter. She guided us to the table and kindly explained how it works on this restaurant. I'll let them do that for you but it was very simple. Pre drinks arrived very fast and they kept an eye on us to give us the time we needed making the decisions for the food.

The first Taste arrived just as finished the drinks and we took the suggested wine to each dish. It was a very intriguing experience to have a sweet dessert wine with the duck liver mousse and carpaccio. And equally awesome. The best Taste I picked.

In the middle of the proceed they had mistaken our order but instead of returning and wasting that dish they gave it to us and quickly readied the correct one. We didn't even get to open our mouths before they fixed it. Compliments to them!

Price wise we landed on 1 000 per person but all things concidered this is cheap. The 5 taste option, using one for dessert with a tiny glass of wine to each one was perfect for all of us. Please have time though. The 2,5 hours we had reserved was barely enough. We ended up staying for three... I mean this as a very positive thing how you should enjoy meals rather than rushing.

Thank you Taste for this....