Nodo is right at the corner of Byxtorget (which in English would literately translate into "The Pants Square"). This little place have all the possibility to be a nice little Italian bistro if they really wanted and had the ambition to. Unfortunately, it's nothing of the sort. The decor is nice, scaled down and modern in a color scheme of dark wood and bright somber colors with modern decoration. The problem? They are more inclined to serve quickly prepared lunches for the merchant- and commercial-working community during lunch rush hour than anything else. Because of this the place is always over-crowded, people running in and out, stressful staff along with sub-par quality food.
Despite my lackluster experiences I do come here from time to time, not out of excitement, but out of the simple fact that I need a lunch and prefer to stay away from the majority of sleazy fast-food joints. This is without a doubt better. For lunch they serve about three or four different dishes, one of those usually being a soup. They have a small salad buffet that is fresh enough and provide something more to the plate. The food is usually at least acceptably prepared, but never exciting or intriguing. However, one particular lunch I had a plate of pulled chicken that I imagined chewing on a piece of yarn had to be more tender, moist and flavorsome than that. The most underwhelming dish they have ever served. But I've had some ok to tasty dishes too, don't get me wrong.
So I get their catch 22 dilemma. Lunch guests in a hurry are easy to please, it pays ok with a minimum of work required. But I can't help to ponder the idea of redoing this place into a classical bistro with proper dinner servings with some real southern Europe/Italian feel to it. It'd be such a great addition to this small towns pretty meager offerings of interesting cuisine. But as always; leaps of faith are laden with risks, but without risks comes neither great rewards. This place has the possibility of something great, but I haven't seen anyone going for it. Yet.
For now, if you need a lunch that is better than a sloppy and greasy burger, this will do the trick. Don't expect any overwhelming surprises. read more
