I had dinner at Restaurant Gronnegade with my grandfather over 15 years ago, so I was eager and excited to go back this summer with my husband. Sometimes when you build something up in your mind and feel extreme nostalgia, the outcome can be disappointing...not this time. We enjoyed our best dinner in Copenhagen at Restaurant Gronnegade (it was better than Restaurant 108).
Restaurant Gronnegade has two levels. Both times I have been there, I sat in the lower level. The downstairs feels like a clean, rustic, artsy basement. I know all of those words do not usually go together, but in the case of Restaurant Gronnegade, it works.
Restaurant Gronnegade offers a five-course tasting menu, an a la carte menu, or you can choose fewer courses from the tasting menu. I appreciated the flexibility. My husband and I both chose the tasting menu, but with only four courses each.
All of the courses were artfully presented and delicious. Both the vegetable-based and meat-based dishes were perfectly prepared. We also started with rosé champagne by the glass and then we each had a glass of red wine. The only service "glitch" was that it took a while to get our server's attention to order the red wine.
Wine service was interesting at Restaurant Gronngade. We were asked if we wanted to start with an aperitif, champagne, or cocktail. I said we would probably each like a glass of champagne, so the server asked if we prefer rosé or non-rosé. I said we often like rosé, so that is what he brought us. There wasn't an opportunity to look at a wine menu and see the options and prices. I could have asked or inquired about specific options/price, but I decided to just go with it. The red wine was handled similarly, although in that case the server poured us a taste before we had to commit. We were happy and okay to go with the flow, but you may need to be more assertive than I was if you want to know all of your options and especially if you want to know the price of the wines.
Overall, the service was very good. It was also the most honest service we received. Guide books say that service is included in the price of your meal in Denmark, but I always want to confirm, so I ask, "Is service included?" Everywhere else we ate, even at very high-end restaurants, I was told, "No." (I guess they know I am American and assume I will tip 20% per our norms in the U.S.) At Restaurant Gronngade, when I received the bill and asked if service was included, our server answered, "Always in Denmark." He explained that service and tip are different. He said that he earns a good wage for providing service, but that if we want to offer a small gratuity in addition that is appreciated, but they think no less of us if we do not. I found this explanation refreshingly honest and it made me appreciate the service and overall experience at Restaurant Gronnegade even more. read more