Falu House is a nice cafe located inside a furniture store. Came on a Sunday around noon and it was…read morebusy, but managed to get a table. Swedish cardamom bun was amazing - definitely one of my new favorite buns in town. Roasted Chicken sandwich was also delicious. I also tried the grain bowl with chicken, which was fine, though that's maybe not a totally fair rating because I ate it on a plane the next day. Will be back for more pastries and coffee!

The cardamom buns are amazing!! The ham sandwich in the pastry case wasn't great. Wayyy too much…read morebread and it tasted stale. I like the coffee but havent tried any of the specialty ones yet. They sound good too

Date of visit--early August 2026, a Sunday. The short…read moreversion--a two-star Michelin restaurant that should have three stars, one that has made me rethink the other two and three-star ones I've been to in the past (and how I retroactively felt cheated by them in hindsight). An absolute pleasure in so many ways. Review based on regular prix fixe menu--no allergies or adjustments--plus non-alcoholic beverage pairing, respectively $335 and $150 (gratuity not included). Exterior & Interior--It's close to the water and Williamsburg Bridge; its entrance is nondescript but consistent with the inside. Once inside, it is dark and your eyes will need a short time to adjust, but it is beautiful. There are enough pictures online for you to fill in the blanks without me describing it--16 circular tables (I think), lots of black (I know), some touches of wood and bronze near the open kitchen. For all the black space, there is exactly one overhead light pointing at each table so what's on the table is never hidden. I wouldn't change a thing about it, and the attention to detail surrounding it hinted at the meal to come. It aggravates me that several people online label the interior as "minimalist"--that is a lazy explanation and this place is soaked with detail, from the black richness of the walls to how the light glances off the woods and the bronze. Music was actual music--not AI! Mostly 80s onward--perhaps in the vein of the Smiths, Interpol, etc., but actually pretty varied and consistent with the place. It was rather soft and in the background. Frankly, the only song I actually recognized was Bryan Adams "Heaven", which oddly fit in with the place more than I expected. Speaking of volume, while I had a clear view of the display kitchen and all of the staff were close to me, you don't ever actually hear them--they work so quietly! Food & Drink--Standard prix fixe, no substitutions, add-ons, etc. (I declined some truffles they had flown in that day, an extra $65 I think). Started out with several small bites--you've seen most of them online. The recurring theme with the bites was that, for a first few seconds after the bite, there wasn't much flavor, but then there would be a lot after those seconds passed. Delayed satisfaction in other words. After all, this is an elevated expression of Nordic cuisine--flavors are meant to have some restraint compared to cuisines from some other parts of the world. The meal was extremely well-paced and built gradually to its climax that came in four parts. The famous langoustine and sauce, followed by the semi-famous hake fish with bread, followed by sea bass, and lastly followed a savory venison course. The strange part about this murderer's row was that, while the langoustine was presented as "our signature dish", the three that came after equaled it. If the langoustine was your favorite album ever by your favorite band ever, then the three following courses were that band then releasing three albums afterwards that were just as compelling. Still, after all that, there was the dessert served in two or three parts (frankly can't remember). People have different preferences when it comes to deserts--some prefer chocolate and others prefer tart fruits, some prefer diary-based and others prefer sugary types. But Aska leaves nothing to chance with the desert phases--every thing you could want is offered, and it was a wonderful way to end. With regard to the non-alcoholic beverage pairing, I'm glad I did it. I don't believe anything was made in-house, but I could be wrong since I don't recall the last drink being presented with its corresponding bottle (most were). It was a mix of zero-proof wines, tonics, a sake-ish drink, and ending with something that mirrored bourbon over a large ice rock. The staff would tell you in advance whether the drink is meant to be paired with the current course or the one following as well (helps you pace how much you drink of it). Service--this was possibly the most wonderful thing about the night (or tied with many other things). As you walk in, they immediately offer to take an coats, hats, umbrellas, etc. and store them. This sounds insignificant and probably the norm in Europe, but this is simply not done anymore in the U.S., even at two and three-star places. From there, the meal is perfectly paced, interactions are warm but not overbearing, and just simply wonderful overall. Of course, the chef is great, but the whole team makes this place all the more special, and it made other places (Benu, Californios, Le Bernardin) seem mostly transactional. So, would I do it all again? In a heartbeat (even with my modest income lol, it was that good). And if you're staying in Manhattan, do what I did: take a ferry to the South Williamsburg station (great experience), walk around the park near the bridge, go have a couple glasses of wine at a cool place called Bar Susanne that's in between the bridge and Aska, and then go have your meal. Thank me later...

4.25 stars. This is assuredly a high end experience that appeared to incorporate numerous…read moreinfluences outside of Aska's Nordic focus. You'll enjoy the minimalistic chic decor, the open kitchen, the excellent service, and of course the food. Let's talk about that last part since you're going to spend a pretty penny if you go here. Like all tasting menus, there will be some variance although certainly there are some dishes that often are the "star" of the proverbial show. I'm not going to mention everything, but here is what stood out: Sea Oak: This is the first item we received, and it kind of looks like a colorful edible twig. There were purple and yellow hues and true to its name it tasted like a fresh dip in the sea. Apparently, they use algae and blue mussels to make this dish. It's fun and creative and a great start to your meal. Caviar: This one looked like a dark cupcake with the base made from kingfish and eel while the top was absolutely overflowing in what was clearly a super high end caviar (certainly memorable at least to me). This was a stunning visual with extraordinary taste. Claw: This dish looks nothing like a claw. Instead, rounded wheels resembling lotus root are flavored with rose and berry. Gently stuffed inside you will find langoustine claw meat. This had really strong Indian flavors and was highly enjoyable. Custard: This was like the Nordic version of chawanmushi except this savory custard was dollops of trout roe, seaweed, and exhibits a strong seafood broth flavor. Hake: This was the best preparation I've ever had of the fish. The sauce is somewhat indescribable to me, and yet what really stood out is the absolute perfect texture of the fish. The restaurant is fairly well know for their hake and it's easy to see why. Quail and Venison: Both of these dishes were well prepared meats that actually served as perfect boats for the incredible mushrooms accompanying both meats. After eating this dish, I could see why Aska is confident enough to boast a full vegetarian tasting menu. Those mushrooms were among the best items of this entire meal. Pear: I really hope they keep this on because this light pear dish accented with cardamom and copious amounts of butter was an absolute delight. Again, the dish exhibited relatively strong Indian flavors and may have been my favorite dish of the entire evening. Why not five stars? At this price point, I would expect every dish to hit and there were a couple that just didn't for me (not too many but a couple). It was probably a bit too seafood heavy for me and I think I prefer omakase if I'm going that route. I will say that the tasting menu, the service, and atmosphere are all wonderful and a worthy overall experience. I'm definitely glad I was able to visit.

Fantastic place. Food is tasty and refreshing. If you're in the mood for a well-executed meal with…read morelighter, daintier fair, this is close to perfect. Note that the space is on the small side, so it's a bit crowded, and there's always a line for the restroom. Also, there's no dessert option. If you're finished with lunch here and want to keep relaxing and have something sweet, Veniero's Pasticceria is only a couple of blocks away.

Vibe/ambiance: small brunch spot; AC was broken Service:…read morestandard Reservation: recommended Items ordered: Sweet potato fries 9/10 Hangover sandwich 8.5/10 Pancakes 8/10 melted too fast maybe bc of heat though

We came here for something else and accidentally stumbled upon Nordic Preserves Fish & Wildlife…read moreCompany. Looking at their displays, they had an amazing selection of salmon, herring, cod, pickled beets, tomatoes and more. We decided to try their "Lock, Stock+Barrel" sample of 4 different salmon w/ condiments, pickles, raspberries and crackers. You can get a choice of 3-5. Our choices were their Artisanal smoked, Pastrami Cured smoked, Togarashi smoked, and Norwegian smoked. The condiments were a mustard and dill sauce. The salmon was melt in your mouth good! So good, you didn't need the sauces. We did taste both and liked the mustard. Didn't use much of it though. The winner was the Norwegian smoked for both of us and for me, the Togarashi and Pastrami Cured were tied at 2nd. The two people behind the counter were great! Very helpful and made our experience sitting at the counter a fun time! I will be coming here anytime I crave smoked salmon!

My friend and I were walking around the Essex Market before a nearby dinner. We saw Nordic…read morePreserves and noticed that they brilliantly had a perfect snack sized gravlax cup. Couldn't pass that up! Their shop was immaculate and had an awesome selection. The gentleman working in the shop was friendly and professional. The gravlax cup was delicious, fresh fish, crème fraiche, and an excellent bread crisp. Perfect way to get a taste of Nordic Preserves. Would certainly return!

I lived in Sweden for five years when deciding to grab a cup of coffee I couldn't resist a place…read morecalled a Scandinavian house it was fika time. I was treated to wonderful customer service and a multi course meal really good food with an amazing presentation. I never had monkfish before it was pretty good. This place is Lagom. I was tempted to practice my Swedish on someone however I was way too nervous to even say hello. Maybe I'll muster the courage to try it before I go back to Los Angeles.

Adequate, if not a little more, average take on the Scandinavian classics, this is a good place to…read morestart, especially for those who have not tried this cuisine before. This restaurant (rather, cafe) is a nice way to get in a few dress rehearsals before going out for the real thing. As I am about to embark on a Scandinavian adventure, I had to try the Swedish Meatballs first. They are a great way to start off if you do not know where to begin with this cuisine. The meatballs are delicate, but tasty. The gravy carries a little bit of heat and acid, but it is balanced out by the sweetness of the lingonberry jam, which is balanced out by the pickles. My only fault is of the mashed potatoes, which they cater here to American tastes by dolling it up when it does not need to be. Basic principles, keep it as simple as it is and let the meatballs be the star. That is why it is Swedish Meatballs and not Swedish Mashed Potatoes. Seven to an order is perfectly acceptable. I then had to dive into some dessert. The cinnamon bun is good but not great here. Warm it up and it is fabulous. Served chilled and it feels like something you just got on the back end of an SAS flight. I will note to have these warmed up for future reference. While it is not on the menu, the Princess Cake is an indulgence everyone should try at least once. The distant cousin to the Black Forest Cake in Germany, this feels almost like a caked up version of a Linzer tart. I enjoyed it, albeit it is very rich. Take your time eating it or you will spend your time afterwards regretting your life choices. Respect the cake and take your time eating it. I am happy I got the chance to eat here and gave this little cafe (which is a short walk from Grand Central) a try. Reward yourself and get some Swedish candy afterward. Tak.

Always a line in NYC, and of course at the renowned La Cabra we knew there would be a wait on a…read moreSunday morning around 10:30 AM. We got the cardamom bun and pain suisse pastries and an iced americano.. and if there's anything you take away from this review.. it's that you come here .. you HAVE to try at least one pastry or else why would you go??? The cardamom bun is La Cabra's signature laminated cardamom bun , and the pain suisse (my personal fav) was so delicious!!! I also bought some beans to take home: Yacuri - Geisha from Ecuador and La Papaya - Bourbon

La Cabra has a really nice, intimate vibe to it, though it is definitely a smaller space. They…read moredon't really permit laptop use here, but honestly, that is kind of standard for spots like this in New York. During my stay in the city, I stopped by and just ordered an iced americano. The quality of the shot was excellent, smooth, bright, and really clean. The bar setup itself is super unique and very minimalist. They are running a really interesting under the counter espresso machine where the main bulk of the equipment is hidden away, leaving just these sleek, minimal group heads rising up from the counter. It was my first time seeing a machine of that style in person, and it looks incredibly sharp. I would absolutely come back here next time I'm in the area.

We celebrated Valentine's with the Chef Tasting Menu at Aquavit and it was one of the best meals we…read morehave this year. The service was Michelin level which includes very knowledgeable staff that are friendly and polite. The menu is very seafood forward which we absolutely love. The langoustine was extremely tasty and the combination of sauces, seafood and the visuals are on point. The bird's nest is such a wonderful delight which includes dessert eggs that has shells that you can crack with your utensil with yolk that flows out. Well-deserved Michelin 2 stars which we will definitely visit again during our anniversary or special occasions

Went to Aquavit for an early Valentine's Dinner and had another wonderful experience. We had the…read moreChef's Tasting Menu and enjoyed every dish perhaps with the Caviar and Wagyu Beef dish standing out the most. Service was impeccable as always in an elegant, comfortable atmosphere.

First cardamom! Didn't know what to expect but it somehow exceeded my expectations. The bun was…read moreairy yet with a nice bite, perfectly sweet & sticky, and gone in 60 seconds. The best little midday pick me up in the city. Staff was a delight. Inside it's warm & cozy, and I could imagine adding a hot cup of coffee to my order only would've elevated my quick stay.

Stopped by later in the afternoon on a weekend and found out the cardamom buns were sold out :/ got…read morethe cinnamon buns instead since I usually prefer them anyways. They were basically cardamom buns with a dash of cinnamon flavor - almost made me wonder what the difference would be between the two had I gotten the cardamom one. It was a good pastry though. Bakery had a rustic feel and service was prompt. It's also conveniently located near the 14st subway stop. Overall pretty good.

I got the Onigiri Bento , 1pc of the Salmon. The vegetables were nicely seasoned and light. It was…read morea good balance with the Onigiri which has a salty salmon filling. I liked how the rice was warming and that the seaweed also had seasoning. I'd like to try their other menu items. The interior is calming and has many interesting books, as well as different products being sold.

Cute little place near DUMBO. Came early in the morning on a Sunday to get tea. They're…read moredog-friendly, and I came walking in with a cavapoo, and they were fine. Other people came in with their dogs as well. Very spacious, lots of seating, and lots of interesting books too.

Inside the red hook ikea (immediate right once you go up the escalator) is the restaurant. Best…read morething about the place is its seating area and view. Soda refill machine works well. Pricing is OK but not like Costco dining pricing. Had a birthday coupon for free slice of cake with entree purchase. I went with the chicken thigh, rice, beans and plantains. Cake was red velvet which was average at best. Chicken thigh was solid and it fell off the bone. Rice, beans and plantains were rock hard because left out too long. Good seats

My friend and I stopped by the IKEA restaurant before browsing for new couches. Never shop on an…read moreempty stomach. I'd never eaten at an IKEA before, but was pleasantly surprised with my experience. It's reminiscent of a school cafeteria where you take a tray, get on line, and let the staff know what you'd like at each station. There are tons of tables, so lack of seating was not a problem. I got two sides orders of the meatballs and a garden salad. The meatballs were delicious and I will likely be ordering them at all future IKEA visits. The food was also incredibly affordable. For the salad, meatballs, and a fountain drink, I paid about $7.50 (as of Jan '26).