Restaurants

Lundum
119 Old Brompton Road, LONDON, SW7 2RW
Tel: (020) 7373 7774
Fax: (020) 7373 4472
clint@lundum.demon.co.uk
but they have no web site.


Street Map to Lundum's


Lundum's Restaurant Reviews and Information
http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/info_restaurant_3534.html
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/1779.htm

Restaurant Review by Jenny Darkinse

Being an impoverished student, reading "Danish Language and Culture" at University, I have, for ages, longed to try London's only Danish restaurant. I knew it was quite a pricey establishment. Imagine my delight when a friend took me there for a surprise early birthday treat. I was certainly not disappointed !

We sat outside, at one of 4 small tables. There were lovely flowers and a typically Danish candle on each one. I have never seen heavier or whiter table linen! To guard against the cold, we were each given a soft blue blanket but it was not necessary, as there was an outdoor "mushroom" type heater, which the hunky, blue-eyed waiter rushed to light for us, immediately upon our arrival.

My friend opted for the 3 course set menu @ £21.50. I chose a la carte but everything was so delicious, that we could not resist swapping occasional spoonfuls from each other's plates.

Paul started with Danish cured/smoked ham with melon and summer leaves; whereas I opted for layers of smoked salmon and creamy potato salad. This was served with a tangy sauce and a few drops of what tasted like red caviar on the side. I savoured every mouthful.

For his main course, my dining partner had "medisterpølse" and creamy savoy cabbage, which were sweet tasting homemade Danish sausages.

Our waiter recommended that (as it was a special occasion) I might like to try one of the house specialities "sprængt And." This apparently takes 52 hours to prepare and are slices of old-fashioned cured duck which are then roasted and served with a basket of summer vegetables and new potatoes. Even priced at £16.75, it was superb - My only criticism was that the new potatoes were so nice, I could have eaten twice as many as I was given.

We just about had room for dessert and here both of us chose the same thing. Danish is a difficult language for foreigners to master. Perhaps the most awkward phrase of all is name of a typically Danish pudding.

This is the famous "Rødgrød med Fløde." It's a lovely, thick, set, smooth-tasting mixture of strawberries and other fruits, served with lashings of single cream. Every mouthful was pure heaven.

It really made my day, when the waiter complimented me on my pronunciation and gave me a little ripple of applause.

Coffee and tiny chocolate covered macaroons followed but we could not leave with sampling some fiery Danish snaps (Red Aalborg) to toast my approaching birthday. Skål !

We had a lovely time. The food, service and cosy atmosphere ("hyggelig" as the Danes would say) was superb. Including a bottle of house wine and a 12½ per cent service charge, our bill came to around £80.00. It was worth every penny.




Dansk Taste

140 The Whitgift Centre, Croydon, Surrey, London, CRO 1LP Map
Nearest Tube Station: East Croydon (BR)
Tel: 020 8688 8522

http://www.london-eating.co.uk/3566.htm

Restaurant Review by Jenny Darkinse

Buried in the heart of the Whitgift Centre in deepest Croydon is the latest in London's small but ever growing list of Scandinavian eateries.

It has been open just under 4 months now and on the strength of my visit today, seems to have already established itself locally, as somewhere to go to get a quick, cheap, delicious snack that is just a little out of the ordinary.

"Dansk Taste" is the name and what the venue lacks in ambience and sophistication is more than made up for by the sheer quality, value for money and authenticity of the strictly Danish fare.

The small but comprehensive menu focuses on the "Danish Hotdog" in all its many and splendid varieties. There's plain, cheese flavoured and the one I tried which came wrapped in proper Danish bacon.

There is a choice of two or three types of bread too and just as in Denmark, you have numerous unusual toppings and sauces. My favourites have always been the crispy fried onions, pickles and "remulade" (a mild, mustard flavoured sort of mayonnaise.)

Prices start at an amazingly low £1.50 and the dearest items on the menu were the "meal deals" which included a drink and an apple for about £3.50.

For desert, I chose some scrummy authentic Danish ice cream in a chocolate-coated cone, along with all the trimmings. There was also a selection of pre-packed ice creams from Danish companies, including one in the red and white colours of the Danish flag !

As I was about to leave, I could not resist buying a couple of Danish pastries to take-away and eat later. Absolutely superb !

Service was pleasant, efficient and enthusiastic, despite the very humid conditions. My only criticism would be the rather uncomfortable seating arrangements.

I dined alone (unfortunately) but the entire bill came to around £5.50. This was less than the price of my British Rail train ticket to get there and home again.