It IS expensive in Sweden

Paul from Another Food Blog writes:

I’m currently in Sweden, enjoying a break in Göteborg. I’m staying at Gothia Towers. It’s a fantastic hotel, with really REALLY modern everything. So much so, in fact, that it’s a very trendy night-time attraction for local twenty-somethings. Drinks in the bars cost roughly twice what they might in the trendiest places in Britain (outside London) and the hotel restaurant is incredibly expensive, but has amazing food.

But the view from the top floor bar Heaven 23 is amazing. And the king size shrimp sandwich is to die for. Add to that they have one of the best wine cellars in town (the highest located one as well) and you will get a great bar and restaurant. It’s not a cheap place, but if you want to have good food and wine and a great view you should definitely visit.

There were about five courses in total, with lots of fish. A gazpacho was too salty for me but was offset sensibly with a South African savignon blanc which was sharp and acidic. The main course was baked halibut, with potatoes and cod. Another white for this, a French Chablis, more full-bodied and more buttery. The wine with dessert (which was a complicated tiramisu) was close to madeira but was made with a Pinot-something grape which I’ve never heard of before. It was a good, strong finish to the meal and it finished me off, too. Total cost: 1150 Krona(!).

We do love seafood here on the west coast of Sweden. And paying 1150 kronor for all of that is OK (once in a while at least).