Sjögräs Restaurang

Note: This review is for the restaurant part of sjögräs, not the neighbouring bar which has a selection of great snack food, but not taken into consideration in this review.
I was hesitant about whether to give Sjögräs a full 5 star-​rating or a 4. It’s is definitely a 4.5, but doesn’t quite reach up to that 5 as that is something I consider to be almost better than flawless, not based on my individual favor of certain flavors (which, I admit, is not objective in any way), but rather in overall experience. It’s hard to put my finger on what is missing, I really love many things about Sjögräs – the food, the drink and the friendliness of staff are all constantly reliable. Some parts of the approach might be conceived as invitingly laid back, I still find I want a bit more for a full 5-​star rating. One example is that they should as good a knowledge of their (well selected) craft beer as of their wine. The food is mostly close to perfection and it deserves to be accompanied by knowing staff that can guide you to the best drink selection.
I have been to Sjögräs about once a year since 2007. Starting out as vegan, I used to have a really hard time finding any restaurant at all (low-​hi price range) that could cater to my restricted diet, but even then I left Sjögräs really impressed and recommended it to both veggie and meat-​eating friends. Since then I have started eating fish and the dining experience at Sjögräs has remained something I could count on.
I have had one of the best main courses in my life at sjögräs. It was on that level where after finishing the meal, I didn’t really know what just hit me. I was left in awe, and all it took serving a classic fish dish (my memory might fail me here, but I think it was saithe) with an slightly out there, yet well founded twist. There was some kind of foam, trout roe and brussel sprouts, not to complicated, but lifted and perfected though seasoning that flirted with the Christmas season as well as the Japanese kitchen with umami from shiitake mushrooms.
My dining companion had an equally awe-​inspiring experience with a perfectly cooked meat dish including (also in season) red cabbage.
The last visit treated me to an appetizer that perfectly showcased that strength that Sjögräs has to create dishes that you just can’t get anywhere else and I would have a hard time coming up with myself. Still, the Pulpo & Kingcrab were so well put together that it almost felt a bit ridiculous not already being a weathered fan of the dish.
The main consisting of fried plaice with baked egg, potato crisp, broccoli and hollandaise was not up there with the rest however. That is not to say that it was bad. The broccoli was perfect, the hollandaise delicious and the fish beautifully cooked, but there was something missing. The baked egg didn’t do much to complement the other flavor but was rather a bit over the top in combination with the hollandaise. There was some sprouts of of some kind, mostly added for decoration, but I would have liked to see either more of that. Something with a light, fresh, and maybe earthy texture would have balanced the heaviness of the sauce and fry of the fish. That is however almost the only bad thing I have to say about Sjögräs after all my visits there.
If you are unlucky and arrive there during a crowded night and get one of the tables near the door you might find that a bit loud and busy with everyone who has to walk past you on their way to tables further down in the (quite small) space, but stis can easily be avoided by booking a table in advance. The rest of the restaurant is really cosy, with nice little details like individual sets of silverware for each guest and coffee served from a flower covered granny style porcelain pot. The main interior is not updated to the latest trend, but timeless and solid enough to last for yet a long time. In combination with the excellent service, delicious house breads, a welcome selection of craft beers along with a fine selection of wines and staff that are really attentive (despite a full workload) it adds up to making Sjögräs being a great little gem in an unexpected neighbourhood. It mostly achieves what it has set out to do and is in a price range that for Stockholm and this quality of food is quite a bargain*.
If you go to Sjögräs I would recommend trying the dishes that seem to be prepared in the least traditional way. While The simpler dishes are great I would say that my experience is that they really shine when you allow them to serve you something that gives you a slightly new perspective of something you thought youknew just how it should be done.
*Tourists and other visitors to Stockholm, I’ve noticed quite a few reviews saying that this is an expensive place, but that’s what stockholm is in general. It just doesn’t have the same culture of dining out as many other places in the world. Hopefully that is changing, but until then prices can only be compared to the local average.

I had high expectations because of their michelinrecommendation… but boy was I dissapointed. The so-​so food, the grouchy staff and the attitude. Do not go here. Thats my serioius recommendation.

This restaurant has done a great job with the details. The candleholders are made of onions. They bread they serve at the table has been made to look like mini loaves of bread. The milk they serve with coffee comes in a mini vintage milk bottle. And the food is good. But, it’s missing a little something that would make it great. Perhaps the neighborhood isn’t perfectly located given the feel they’re going for. And it’s quite pricey. We also had a hard time hearing the people at our table as it was loud even though there weren’t that many people in the restaurant. Overall a good experience, but left us wanting more.

Good cooking at a good price but given the hype this place has generated, I was expecting to see them push the boat out a bit more. There was a tendency to be slightly heavy-​handed with the salt, which people who eat less salty food than I do might find offensive.