After exploring the University of Bergen, we walked a short distance to Marg & Bein for an early…read moredinner around 3:00P. Because we dined during an off-time, we had the whole restaurant to ourselves, though I imagine it gets busier during peak hours.
Our waitress sat us by the window and recommended sharing a few plates family-style. (Note: The menu may rotate.) For anyone who wants their own meal, they do have a main dish that is meant for a single serving. That day, it was the Persetorsk fish with pea purée, cider butter sauce and trout roe. My dad ordered it and thought the fish was good, but found the sauce quite salty (and not just from the roe).
+ BRAISED OX CHEEK: Super tender, lean, succulent. It fell apart with just a touch of a fork! Served on top of smooth mashed potatoes and a flavorful demi-glace.
+ STEAK w/ PEPPER SAUCE: My favorite dish! The steak was cooked to a perfect medium and the pepper sauce was subtle, allowing the quality of the beef to shine. I enjoyed alternating bites of it alone and with the baked onion. The broccolini had a great crunch and the celery purée added a fresh, earthy balance.
+ BAKED CAULIFLOWER: The most flavorful cauliflower that I've ever had! Roasted sections came topped with finely chopped kale chimichurri (mixed with onion, spices & pepitas), all sitting on a cauliflower purée. So good and a perfect vegetarian dish!
+ CIDER STEAMED MUSSELS: Plump, sweet mussels served in a velvety, slightly briny cider sauce. I couldn't help but drink a couple spoonfuls of the sauce by itself after we finished the mussels.
Our waitress was very friendly and we appreciated her help with navigating the menu. The dishes were served at a comfortable pace with the mussels first as a starter, followed by the rest of the dishes. I would consider the pricing to be on the elevated side since it's considered an upscale modern bistro, however it's definitely worth splurging for their creative and well-executed plates. We found Marg & Bein on a whim, and it ended up being one of our top meals in Bergen! 4.75 stars.