What do cancel culture and fine dining have in common? Quite a lot as it happens, as I found out on a recent trip to the world's 'best' restaurant, Noma.
"NO. NOT A FAN OF ICE CREAM THAT TASTES LIKE BARBIE’S LEGS." made me SCREAM LOL. I think this might be my favourite thing I have ever read maybe because it is in, such-good-taste!!!
😂🤣 I’ve been waiting for this one since your tease of it, and you did NOT disappoint! Delightful writing. AND, ever so helpful that you saved my future self £1200! Thank you for that too!
Loved this Farrah. I knew The Menu was based on Noma but didn't realise just how much. Had a jolly good laugh. My newsletter is going really well thanks to your help, with lots of great feedback. I hope you've had a chance to read a couple, as I'd love to know what you think, having guided me through the process and all. All the best.
Agreeeeeee! I felt very let down by our Noma experience...and left hungry. I had forgotten about the kitchen minions chanting 😂 and the ‘welcome’ scene. I had possibly blocked it out? Noma-ptsd? Overhyped and overpriced. If you’re ever in Denmark again make it across to Jutland to Henne Kirkby Kro - it’s a much cosier 2 Michelin star spot in our favourite beach town. Well worth the journey x
A hilarious read. I read parts of this piece aloud to my husband. We lived in Copenhagen for 4 years (husband delivered wine to Noma at some point in his random career there) and I suspected that this was a case of The Emperor's New Food, but always wanted to find out for myself. I feel like I've had the true experience now!
If anyone's tempted to go to CPH - definitely do - my food recommendations would be: Told og Snaps - traditional Danish smørrebrød (open sandwiches); Fiskebaren (in the meat packing district Farrah mentions near Mother); Granola / Laundromat Cafe for brunch. If you can, get out to the Louisiana Museum, ideally on the way back from Kronborg Castle in Elsinore (yes, of Hamlet fame). The two together make a fab day out. I plan to write about my love of Danish Easter traditions in my substack, launching soon x
Love all of these tips. We are visiting in the summer (my husband is half Danish so we used to visit quite regularly before relocating to the US) I love all of the Danish traditions and look forward to the launch of your substack 💛
Thanks so much, Kate. I really think the Danes do celebrations and traditions so well, how wonderful to have connections there and memories of visiting. And Summer in Denmark is the best, have a wonderful time! Checking out your susbstack, what a joyful thing! x
Sounded like you were being auditioned for a part in a horror film. I’d have freaked out from the moment I stepped inside. I loved Copenhagen when I stayed there 5 yrs ago. Beautiful city. Beautiful people. Beautiful experience all round. Although it wasn’t so beautiful in Christiania the intentional community/commune. Did you visit?
Reading your review of the lunch felt almost like re-watching some of the scenes from ‘The Menu’. And with quite a staggering bill adding to the dissonance of emotions - as a dear friend of mine says about celebrities ‘better not meet the celebrities you have on the pedestal - barely any live up to your rose tinted expectations in real life’...
As a few others have already said, this is exactly like The Menu. Thank you for ensuring Noma remains off my list. It sounds dreadful. Sorry you had to have such a huge outlay to spare the rest of us, but I’m kinda glad, and very grateful that you did 😊
It sounds like something out of the movie with Florence Pugh 'Midsommer' when you describe the welcome. Truly terrifying! I must admit that this would be wasted on me but I love reading about other peoples experiences with fine dining. My sister in law recently spent £1k on a tasting menu in the lakes which I found irresponsible considering her financial status but who am I to judge?! I spend money on what I like so I must not judge. However, if I am honest I wouldn't eat any of that even for an experience. I eat with my eyes and if it looks like something Ant and Dec knocked up then I'm afraid its not for me. A great place to say you've been though. I read a piece on the Atlantic who also likened it to Willy Wonka's factory. What I dislike is the pretence and the illusion created that this is the most epic place, so much so they can refuse to pay staff and treat many of them as disposable. All feels a little exploitative.
Always been intrigued by Noma so this is a very interesting read. Always assume the fat duck might have a similar vibe, as in no you can't go to the bathroom now and some degree of sneeriness!
I loved The fat duck! I still dream of some of the dishes like the BFG cake. Sort of feel they understand people want to be delighted as well as surprised
L’Enclume is a 3 now I think. I don’t enjoy the strange control and hostility at some of these places.
think this filters down from the top 🔝 man who might be a visionary and certifiable genius but wouldn’t know hospitality if it caressed him on the bottom. Chefs don’t always grasp the inherent authentic love of people required to make ppl feel welcome safe happy and at home, they may even have contempt for that and that’s awful in a world that is already full of suffering. Imagine if Corbin and King could manage stage front at Noma?
CAN YOU IMAGINE!??? I have to say L'enclume has that lovely northern hospitality thing down to perfection. Warm, friedly and no one tells you you can't cant for a pee.
I went to Faviken, RIP, in the middle of northern nowhere in Sweden, 2*s and 30 courses. Someone came out with every course to announce it so not being there I guess might have been an issue in this 30 act play. It was nice and I really did enjoy it. Oxblood tart sticks in my mind, and silage ice cream BUT BUT BUT you have to be a willing participant in this drama, if you wanted a la carte and a nice intimate gossip then it's a shock to the system.
Speaking from the other side, guests leaving the table CAN be an issue for tasting menus but, with a good Front of House team and a kitchen that works well and communicates well with them that should all work swimmingly and the guest shouldn't be able to tell that their dish had to be held or, restarted, or whatever needs to happen so it arrives at the table how it's meant to be enjoyed. Can't comment on Noma, never having been. Some people LOVE that style of hospitality though, and others (me included) much prefer warm and friendly.
"NO. NOT A FAN OF ICE CREAM THAT TASTES LIKE BARBIE’S LEGS." made me SCREAM LOL. I think this might be my favourite thing I have ever read maybe because it is in, such-good-taste!!!
This is insane. Exactly like The Menu.
I hope you see the movie “The Menu” it must have been made about Noma!
brilliant... sooo good
😂🤣 I’ve been waiting for this one since your tease of it, and you did NOT disappoint! Delightful writing. AND, ever so helpful that you saved my future self £1200! Thank you for that too!
You're welcome x
This is everything I needed to read on a Monday morning. I actually laughed out loud at my work desk at 7am reading it: thank you Farrah!
Loved this Farrah. I knew The Menu was based on Noma but didn't realise just how much. Had a jolly good laugh. My newsletter is going really well thanks to your help, with lots of great feedback. I hope you've had a chance to read a couple, as I'd love to know what you think, having guided me through the process and all. All the best.
I'm so pleased Sue! And I LOVE the name. I will take a read this week as im in San Fran and wake up VERY early!
Agreeeeeee! I felt very let down by our Noma experience...and left hungry. I had forgotten about the kitchen minions chanting 😂 and the ‘welcome’ scene. I had possibly blocked it out? Noma-ptsd? Overhyped and overpriced. If you’re ever in Denmark again make it across to Jutland to Henne Kirkby Kro - it’s a much cosier 2 Michelin star spot in our favourite beach town. Well worth the journey x
If I'm ever there again i will come to you for advice Camilla x
A hilarious read. I read parts of this piece aloud to my husband. We lived in Copenhagen for 4 years (husband delivered wine to Noma at some point in his random career there) and I suspected that this was a case of The Emperor's New Food, but always wanted to find out for myself. I feel like I've had the true experience now!
If anyone's tempted to go to CPH - definitely do - my food recommendations would be: Told og Snaps - traditional Danish smørrebrød (open sandwiches); Fiskebaren (in the meat packing district Farrah mentions near Mother); Granola / Laundromat Cafe for brunch. If you can, get out to the Louisiana Museum, ideally on the way back from Kronborg Castle in Elsinore (yes, of Hamlet fame). The two together make a fab day out. I plan to write about my love of Danish Easter traditions in my substack, launching soon x
Love all of these tips. We are visiting in the summer (my husband is half Danish so we used to visit quite regularly before relocating to the US) I love all of the Danish traditions and look forward to the launch of your substack 💛
Thanks so much, Kate. I really think the Danes do celebrations and traditions so well, how wonderful to have connections there and memories of visiting. And Summer in Denmark is the best, have a wonderful time! Checking out your susbstack, what a joyful thing! x
Thank you so much Jan, I agree summer in Denmark is so lovely and thank you for checking out my substack x
Sounded like you were being auditioned for a part in a horror film. I’d have freaked out from the moment I stepped inside. I loved Copenhagen when I stayed there 5 yrs ago. Beautiful city. Beautiful people. Beautiful experience all round. Although it wasn’t so beautiful in Christiania the intentional community/commune. Did you visit?
Yes- sort of reminded me of camden!
‘For a start every server looked the same: wan individuals with wide scowls and the haughty disposition of a freshly elected local councillor.’
I read this as “every starter looked the same : … “ which made me think of the walrus & the carpenter, those wide-scowled starters !
Thanks Farrah, incredulous
Thanks for reading Ellen. How is your Substack going?
trying to live up to your praise. & teetering with turning on paid archive to lock up some of that pandora back in the box . 👀
Reading your review of the lunch felt almost like re-watching some of the scenes from ‘The Menu’. And with quite a staggering bill adding to the dissonance of emotions - as a dear friend of mine says about celebrities ‘better not meet the celebrities you have on the pedestal - barely any live up to your rose tinted expectations in real life’...
I HAVE to watch this now...
Let me know when you do .)
As a few others have already said, this is exactly like The Menu. Thank you for ensuring Noma remains off my list. It sounds dreadful. Sorry you had to have such a huge outlay to spare the rest of us, but I’m kinda glad, and very grateful that you did 😊
I love the name of your substack Collette, it sounds right up my street. I look forward to your posts 💛
It sounds like something out of the movie with Florence Pugh 'Midsommer' when you describe the welcome. Truly terrifying! I must admit that this would be wasted on me but I love reading about other peoples experiences with fine dining. My sister in law recently spent £1k on a tasting menu in the lakes which I found irresponsible considering her financial status but who am I to judge?! I spend money on what I like so I must not judge. However, if I am honest I wouldn't eat any of that even for an experience. I eat with my eyes and if it looks like something Ant and Dec knocked up then I'm afraid its not for me. A great place to say you've been though. I read a piece on the Atlantic who also likened it to Willy Wonka's factory. What I dislike is the pretence and the illusion created that this is the most epic place, so much so they can refuse to pay staff and treat many of them as disposable. All feels a little exploitative.
Just read that piece on your recommendation Lo. Excellent bit of writing and industry insider take on it
I read your substack, TheCut and The Atlantic obsessively! Such great pieces
Wow this really is the plot of The Menu 😳
I so have to make Will watch this with me now
Always been intrigued by Noma so this is a very interesting read. Always assume the fat duck might have a similar vibe, as in no you can't go to the bathroom now and some degree of sneeriness!
I loved The fat duck! I still dream of some of the dishes like the BFG cake. Sort of feel they understand people want to be delighted as well as surprised
Food is less challenging at the Fat Duck and there isn’t that ferocious tasting menu vibe
Agree. i loved it there. Also think L'enclume is possibly the best place on earth right now
Never been. Lucky u x
L’Enclume is a 3 now I think. I don’t enjoy the strange control and hostility at some of these places.
think this filters down from the top 🔝 man who might be a visionary and certifiable genius but wouldn’t know hospitality if it caressed him on the bottom. Chefs don’t always grasp the inherent authentic love of people required to make ppl feel welcome safe happy and at home, they may even have contempt for that and that’s awful in a world that is already full of suffering. Imagine if Corbin and King could manage stage front at Noma?
CAN YOU IMAGINE!??? I have to say L'enclume has that lovely northern hospitality thing down to perfection. Warm, friedly and no one tells you you can't cant for a pee.
I went to Faviken, RIP, in the middle of northern nowhere in Sweden, 2*s and 30 courses. Someone came out with every course to announce it so not being there I guess might have been an issue in this 30 act play. It was nice and I really did enjoy it. Oxblood tart sticks in my mind, and silage ice cream BUT BUT BUT you have to be a willing participant in this drama, if you wanted a la carte and a nice intimate gossip then it's a shock to the system.
Speaking from the other side, guests leaving the table CAN be an issue for tasting menus but, with a good Front of House team and a kitchen that works well and communicates well with them that should all work swimmingly and the guest shouldn't be able to tell that their dish had to be held or, restarted, or whatever needs to happen so it arrives at the table how it's meant to be enjoyed. Can't comment on Noma, never having been. Some people LOVE that style of hospitality though, and others (me included) much prefer warm and friendly.
And yes, definitely watch The Menu.