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
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!
"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!
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.
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
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?
‘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
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.
Wow this really is the plot of The Menu 😳
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!