Farm to Table in Sweden at Ängavallen

After a long journey from Germany to Sweden via planes, trains and automobiles... I found myself walking through a misty pasture towards one of Sweden's best Eco-Organic farm-to-table restaurants. I entered Ängavallen's quaint barn-like cafe through an old wooden door with hopes of indulging in a much needed farm-fresh lunch. 

Inside, the bright cafe was bustling with locals all hand picking their daily assortments of milk, cheese, and meat. The nostalgic smell of fresh baked bread, complimented the warm atmosphere of the staff behind the counter. 

I was approached by a sweet middle aged man asking (first in Swedish) if I needed any help or suggestions. When I explained I was from NYC and could use all the help I could get... His eyes lit up and he began a very heartfelt, educational explanation of Ängavallen's farming practices and procedures. It was around that time that I realized he was Rolf Axel Nordstrom, the owner of the farm. He explained his love for animals, which had developed at an early age, as well as his responsibility in insuring every living thing on his farm led a happy, uninterrupted, natural life. 

All the cattle and sheep are pasture fed, and the goats and pigs also maintain an organic vegetarian diet. Their regime and lifestyle naturally creates a slower growing animal, the result is premium dairy and meat quality, high in Omega 3's and essential nutrients.

Once he finished explaining the farms philosophies, he translated the daily menu and offered up his personal recommendations. I opted for a charcuterie and cheese plate to start. It was the perfect way to get a comprehensive sampling of the most recent products the farm had to offer. I then ordered the daily quiche, which was filled with market vegetables and beef, as well as a spicy pork sausage. 

I paired it all with an organic wine from South Africa that was a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The wine combined with the creamy cheese, cured meat, smoky sausage and hearty quiche was absolutely heavenly. I couldn't get over all the effortlessly rustic flavors, working together to create a knockout meal... And this was just their lunch menu.

Ängavallen is an absolute must-visit foodie destination in the south of Sweden, where the fare on the table is as harmonious and high quality as the farm itself. 

Lunch at Lake Bled

When I arrived into the town of Bled, after being in the car for over three hours... All I wanted was to see the bright blue lake, smell the wildly fresh air, and be fully submerged in nature. The beyond picturesque Lake Bled, is a glacial lake in the Julian Alps and was one of the most breathtaking places I have ever been. 

I explored the medieval castle on the north shore, and watched as small boats, paddle boarders, and rowers cut across the cerulean wonder below. I watched as men dressed in renaissance outfits, created custom letters and certificates on their reconstructed Gutenberg printing machines. I bought a coin that was imprinted by hand, with a large metal hammer that had the outline of the castle. The coins were to commemorate the 1000 year anniversary of castle, which is beyond mind blowing to think about. It is said to be the oldest castle in Slovenia. 

After taking in all the incredible surroundings, I didn't want to leave. So I didn't, we grabbed a table with the best view atop the castle at Bled Castle restaurant and dined on classic Slovenien fare. From a local cheese and charcuterie plate, to the most delicious handmade ravioli stuffed with Carniolan sausage, which is a famous Slovenian staple.

There was nothing quite like taking in that gorgeous view, while dining on some of the best gourmet food in the country. Lake bled is an absolutely wonderful place to visit and should be on every avid travelers bucket list. 

Lunch at Edible Canada

After a long weekend spent skiing the sunny slopes of Whistler... I had a full day to explore Vancouver before my flight back to NYC. I ventured over to Granville Island, which was a short "Aqua Bus" ride away from our apartment in Yaletown. Here we strolled the aisles of produce and products at the public market and pondered the arts and crafts of many small local shops along the water. 

After working up an appetite, my girlfriend and I took the recommendation of a good friend and pulled up a barstool to the open-kitchen dining at Edible Canada. 

This incredibly inviting and lively bistro serves up authentic Canadian classics, infused with modern and ethnic influences. From Oxtail Poutine to Yukon Arctic Char, Edible Canada focuses on local, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients that showcase all that Canada's diverse cultures, farmers, and artisans have to offer. 

Edible Canada opened its doors six years ago and operates as a full service bistro, an artisanal retail and online store, as well as a tours/events company. 

The store, located near the back of the restaurant, is a foodie haven that offers the highest quality Canadian-made gourmet items that are handpicked by Eric Pateman (the founder) and his retail team. Products range from maple syrup and smoked salmon, to more exclusive products like Amola's bacon or truffle salts as well as custom gift baskets. 

They also offer food tours in and around Vancouver including: Granville Island Market Tour, Worlds Best Food Truck Tour, as well as a Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour. In addition to these walking/guided tours, Edible Canada also offers monthly market dinners from cultures and chefs around the world including: Lebanon, China, Japan, and Peru as well as a Canadian dinner series serving local wines and fare. 
 
For my lunch at the bistro, I started off with a glass of Pinot Gris from Naramata (as per the servers recommendation). I scanned the mouthwatering menu and stopped at the Northern Alberta Elk Tartare. 

Now I'm not a huge meat person, let alone a raw red meat person... But once my interest was peaked I asked the server what was the most unique and daring choice, and she led me straight back to the Elk Tartare. 

So naturally I went for it. 

It consisted of hand-chopped raw elk, a truffle aioli, Biota mustard, and grilled bread. The meat was fresh, lean, and delicious. The combination of the truffle aioli, mustard, and quail egg on top created an explosion of flavors and textures with every bite.

After all that meat, I opted for a light salad that consisted of smoked sturgeon & salmon, a soft boiled egg, citrus, mint, sprouted pulses, grilled greens, spiced seeds, with a white miso vinaigrette. 

I was so impressed by the food, atmosphere, and concept of this company that I absolutely had to write about it. Whether or not you are a foodie... The Granville Island market and Edible Canada is an amazing way to spend an afternoon discovering all that Vancouver and Canada as a whole have to offer.