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.

I remember being a little girl driving next to my grandpa in his vintage Mercedes. The smell of leather and Cuban cigars always gently and familiarly wafting in the car. With my little legs kicking up from the warm sheepskin seats, he would roll the windows down...

“Take a deep breath… you smell it?”

I would take a deep inhale and the immediate smell of the sea and salt in the air would wake me up and make me giggle with excitement as it cooled me.

His love for the ocean was the reason I forced down my first squishy bite of calamari, it was the reason my sister, cousin, and I would wake up at 4 in the morning to catch the all-day fishing boat in San Pedro. And with a fishing pole bigger than I was, he taught me the strength, beauty, and mysteries of the sea.

He is the reason, to this day, I know you should only eat seafood in a place where you can see the ocean. (I doubt he would consider the Hudson River a feasible excuse to eat oysters on Grand Banks... but I digress).

In his honor, no matter which beach town I’m visiting from Portugal to Hawaii... I always go on a hunt to find the freshest seafood I can, and this lovely meal was my latest jackpot served up in Esperanza at a local joint called Bili’s. This place was the recommendation of the local friend I had made earlier in the day, and we ordered the calamari, the poke tuna, and the daily paella which came complete with a half lobster.

My love and fascination in finding the most incredible beaches, is always backed by a quest for equally outstanding seafood thanks to my diehard, ocean loving, fisherman for a Grandpa. And I have to say, I think this little pastel ramshackle in southern Vieques would've been right up his alley.