Culinary

G.A.T. A New York–Inspired Bistro, Hidden in Plain Sight Even before its doors officially open, G.A.T. already feels lived in. Like a place that has been waiting patiently for the right people to arrive. Set at Gustav Adolfs Torg, overlooking the Royal Palace and the Opera, the restaurant is the newest venture from 20-Gruppen. A New York inspired bistro and cocktail bar, discreetly housed inside a former bank building from the late 1800s, where history does much of the talking. The space sits within Davidsonska huset, a blue classified landmark known for its grand proportions and late 19th century detailing. Rather than reinventing the rooms, architect Andreas Martin-Löf chose to listen to them. “The rooms were already extraordinary,” he says. “Our role was simply to enhance what was there, working with silk gloves and a great deal of respect.” The result feels effortless. As if the restaurant has always belonged here, quietly dormant until now. G.A.T. takes its cues from classic New York bistro culture, but with a deliberate sense of restraint. The menu is focused rather than sprawling, confident rather than loud. The bar list is tightly edited, and just 15 burgers are served each day, a detail that has already started to circulate among those in the know. Cocktails lean toward the timeless, while the kitchen is guided by precision, quality, and classic flavour. What to order? The menu moves between American and French bistro classics, elevated with a subtle sense of luxury: Toast G.A.T., the house signature. Beef tenderloin with foie gras and oscietra caviar, indulgent yet playful. Raw bar favourites like oysters and crudo, clean and briny. Maine lobster and king crab legs, bringing a touch of coastal decadence to the table. Steak and bistro mains including dry aged ribeye and New York strip, done with confidence and restraint. The visual identity, created by Stockholm studio PURPLE, draws from the building’s past life as a bank. Emblem style logos and archival references give the impression that G.A.T. has always been here, simply unnoticed. Where old money meets new energy There is something quietly poetic about opening a New York inspired bistro inside an old bank, at the very heart of Stockholm’s most ceremonial square. G.A.T. feels like a meeting point. Of history and appetite, tradition and momentum, formality and ease. G.A.T. opens January 22 at Gustav Adolfs Torg 16. Reservations via gatstockholm.com

Bar Sotto: A New Glow Beneath L’Avventura text Jahwanna Berglund images courtesy of Bar Sotto / Stureplans gruppen Hidden beneath the beloved L’Avventura, a new kind of nightlife has quietly come to life. Bar Sotto is Stockholm’s answer to Italo Disco, a space where Milano nostalgia, soft neon, marble accents, and shimmering disco balls set the tone for nights that slip effortlessly into the early hours. Stepping downstairs feels like entering a parallel world that invites you to sink into a sofa, order something bright and fruity, and let the music wrap around you. It is playful and nostalgic without feeling dated, and carries a members club kind of intimacy that only a basement bar can create. With its promise as Your Italo Disco Basement, Bar Sotto delivers exactly that — a warm, glowing hideaway for spontaneous drinks, late night dancing, and everything in between. bar sotto

TOSTO: A Quiet Treasure on Sturegatan text Jahwanna Berglund Some places greet you like an old friend, even on your very first visit. Tosto, discreetly located behind Sperling and Co on Sturegatan 6, is one of them. Max Duhs has crafted a space that does not need to raise its voice. Instead it welcomes you with openness, quiet intention and a sense of care woven into every detail. It feels personal because, in many ways, it is like discovering a secret that was always meant to find you. The art collection is the first impression. It is curated with the intimacy of a private home but positioned with the confidence of a gallery. Nothing feels decorative. Everything feels chosen. It creates an atmosphere that mirrors the entire concept: personal, warm and quietly ambitious. Tosto stands with one foot in Italy through ingredients and instinct, and the other reaching confidently into new worlds. The balance is seamless and it makes the dining experience feel alive with intention. Some highlights from the menu The octopus salad stood out from the start. Tender octopus, lemon mayo, pecorino and sesame seeds formed a bright and addictive combination that left a clear impression of what they are doing here at Tosto. This was followed by brisket al brodo with fava beans and gremolata, generous in flavour and impossible not to resist. It tasted like something a nonna would serve at home, cooked with love. Agnolotti with mushroom veloute brought comfort and elegance in a single bite, silky, earthy, deep and beautifully balanced. Short rib and oxtail lasagna became the kind of dish that quietly takes over the table. Rich, layered and soulful, it tasted like hours of patience and intention. Many more dishes filled the table, each thoughtful in its own way, but these were the ones that defined the experience for me. This is a place made for sharing, where ordering a little of everything feels natural and gives you the best of all worlds. images courtesy of Tosto / Stureplansgruppen Desserts Pannacotta with cherry granita Kalamansi sorbet Pancake cake Tiramisu All desserts felt playful and refreshing, each in its own personality. The kalamansi sorbet was a perfect palate cleanser while the pancake tiramisu was a joyful finale that made the table fall silent for a moment. Tosto delivers something new to the dining experience. A place that feels both new and familiar, confident but never loud, personal yet refined. A fantastic experience from start to finish. www.tosto.nu

Trattoria Giorgio’s Brings 1960s Italy to Stockholm “Stockholm is a market with high expectations, and our goal is to create restaurants where the experience feels authentic from the first moment,” says Brazer Bozlak, founder and CEO of Urban Italian Group. “Giorgio’s is our interpretation of the Italian neighbourhood trattoria – a place where the details speak for themselves and the atmosphere is shaped by the food and the energy around the tables.” Trattoria Giorgio’s has now opened its doors, introducing Stockholm to a warm and stylish tribute to the trattorias of 1960s Italy. The interior welcomes guests with deep wood tones, marble, velvet sofas and warm lighting, a nostalgic nod to Milan in the 1960s. Ceiling murals by artist Elin PK add a touch of colour and playfulness. An open kitchen runs through the restaurant, making the cooking part of the experience, just as it is in Italy’s traditional trattorias. Giorgio’s serves comforting Italian classics with a contemporary twist. Among the highlights are Carpaccio Royale, Agnello Cremoso, Hummer Dreaming or Carbonara al Limone. Desserts stay true to the trattoria spirit while adding a playful edge. Guests can indulge in the pistachio-filled Green Mamba with profiteroles, or the fresh and zesty Limonamisu, a citrus reinterpretation of tiramisu. Behind the launch is Urban Italian Group, the team also known for Basta and Florentine, now reinforcing its position as Scandinavia’s leading player in modern Italian dining with its fifteenth restaurant. “We want to create dishes that people recognise and still feel surprised by,” says Kristjan Longar, co-owner of Urban Italian Group. “Italian cuisine has such a strong foundation; our job is to give it new life without losing what makes it so loved.”

Studio Canteen – a new concept by Marion Ringborg Written by Natalia Muntean Photo by Anna Eriksson After years of influencing Stockholm’s dining scene, from co-founding Garba to running Studio Marion, chef and entrepreneur Marion Ringborg is returning with a new concept centred on daytime dining. “I’ve felt for a long time that Stockholm needed places where lunch isn’t just functional,” she says. “I want to offer something that treats your day a little bit.” On 28 November, Ringborg opens the doors to Studio Canteen, her new café and lunch restaurant in the heart of Stockholm. The space, which she describes as “a living room you actually want to spend the day in,” blends well-cooked food, pastries and house-made drinks with an atmosphere that feels warm and personal to Marion. The menu is built on the flavours that define Ringborg’s cooking: a blend between British comfort and Italian simplicity, with other influences woven throughout. Expect dishes inspired by classic British cooking, like savoury pies, alongside fresh pasta and salads. “We love to work with capers and parmesan and lemon and olive oil – that will be the base,” she says. The menu will always offer a few staple dishes, together with a weekly special that shifts with the seasons. As in all her projects, Ringborg brings a personal layer. “My mum is from Gambia, and that’s the food I’ve been eating my whole life, so of course it will be fun to get that in too,” she says. Her favourite dish? Jollof rice. And the flavour she always returns to? “Jasmine.” Pastries are central to Studio Canteen’s identity – simple, flavour-led and comforting. Think polenta cake with jasmine cream, tiramisu and chocolate-forward desserts made with natural ingredients and intuitive combinations. “I’m not a pastry chef, I just really love flavours,” she says. “Pastry for me has been very much learn-by-doing.” The drinks menu is equally thoughtful. Alongside coffee, tea and matcha, Studio Canteen offers its own house-made shrubs – bright, fruit-and-vinegar-based drinks in flavours like kimchi soda, rose & hibiscus, and saffron & sea buckthorn. The idea grew out of Ringborg’s pregnancies and her desire for something flavourful and alcohol-free during the day. “I wanted a grown-up drink that’s really nice but works during the day – that’s how I started making shrubs,” she says. Studio Canteen extends the creative spirit of Studio Marion, but this time the expression is softer, lighter and more intimate. Ringborg has designed the entire interior herself, filling the space with second-hand pine furniture, natural fabrics and mismatched vintage chairs handpicked in antique stores. “The interior is very personal. I’ve chosen second-hand furniture, light wood, fabrics… everything is picked by me because I want the space to feel like a home.” Beyond the café area lies a large event space, able to host around 100 people. It’s intentionally kept clean and adaptable, ready for art exhibitions, fashion events, private dinners or creative gatherings. “I’ve been doing events for years, but always in other places,” Ringborg says. “I wanted a home base where I could host bigger events and fully shape the atmosphere myself.” Studio Canteen is open Monday to Saturday, 10–17, with a dedicated Saturday brunch featuring a set menu and signature drinks. Everything is available for takeaway, and businesses nearby can pre-order lunches and fika. As Ringborg puts it, “If someone walks out feeling lighter, or inspired, or just a little happier than when they came in, that’s success to me.”  Photo by Patric Johansson

Inside NOFO Hotel: Södermalm’s Hidden Gem With the Ultimate “Key to Söder” Guide text Ulrika Lindqvist In the heart of Södermalm, NOFO Hotel pairs boutique charm with thoughtful experiences, including the curated “Key to Söder,” giving guests a deeper, more personal way to explore the neighbourhood. Our Experience Sometimes you get the perfect first impression of a place and with NOFO, that’s exactly what happened. A few years ago, just before Christmas, my partner and I were wandering through Södermalm in a snowstorm. We had been at an event and were desperate to escape the weather and find a glass of wine. That’s when we stumbled into what might be Stockholm’s coziest courtyard. We stepped inside and ended up having the most wonderful evening in the wine bar, surrounded by Christmas trees and holiday cocktails. Since then, we’ve returned several times, but this was our first actual stay at the hotel. photos courtesy of NOFO  Background NOFO stands for North of Folkungagatan, the neighbourhood in Södermalm where the hotel is located. The hotel has 109 rooms, each styled according to different themes: Södermalm, Scandinavian, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Upper East Side, Carnaby Street, SOHO, Trastevere, and La Belle Époque. Every room is uniquely designed, and we learned that many regulars have a favorite style they always book. We stayed in an Upper East Side–inspired room, and it instantly became a favorite we could happily return to again and again. With its skylights paired with small windows facing different directions, a soft bed, elegant design choices, and an incredible bathroom, we felt like we were tucked away above the everyday world,  up in our own little tower. The building was constructed by Lorenz Silfvert in 1780 and originally served as a brewery. Over the years it has also functioned as a hospital and emergency housing. Roughly 200 years later, Columbus Hotel opened in the space in 1976, eventually passing the keys to NOFO in 2015. Key to Söder You’ll hardly want to leave the hotel, the lovely rooms, the restaurant, and the wine bar make it tempting to stay put. But if you do decide to venture out, NOFO has created its own curated guide to the neighborhood “Key to Söder”.  The idea is to make it easier for guests to discover authentic local experiences without the guesswork that usually comes with exploring a new city. The service is complimentary for hotel guests and offers a carefully curated selection of spots. Guests can either browse the list themselves or ask the hotel team to arrange everything from café visits to dinner reservations at places that truly embody Södermalm. We at Odalisque have our office on Södermalm, and many of our favorite spots are included, like Mormors Dumplings and Krumel.  Gems that aren’t always easy for tourists to find. From one local to another: chef’s kiss! Speaking of chef’s kiss, we got to try the Key to Söder service when NOFO booked a table for us at the iconic  restaurant Gondolen. We had an unforgettable evening, walking through the October rain from NOFO to Gondolen (thank you, NOFO, for lending us umbrellas!) before settling in to enjoy the view over Stockholm, Gondolen’s Pithivier, and flawless service. We then walked back to the hotel and ended the night with a movie in our room, a perfect ending to a perfect evening. About the Hotel NOFO has 109 rooms, each designed in a unique style inspired by destinations around the world. The hotel is centrally located in Södermalm, Stockholm. Room categories include suites, junior suites, executive rooms, superior double rooms, standard double rooms, tiny double rooms, and single rooms. NOFO also features a restaurant and a wine bar that we highly recommend.