El Taco Truck

El Taco Truck was the first taco truck in Stockholm. Yes, tacos in the North Pole. Doesn't make that much sense. I love tacos though, but the idea of having tacos outdoors when it's -10° out doesn't feel very authentic. Or wholesome. Lucky me though, they have now opened a 'proper' brick and mortar taco place. Right down the street from my office, in what it looks like a small garage, they managed to squeeze in this really nicely put together taqueria. I stopped by the other day, and ordered 4 veggie tacos. Good price, quickly made, and delicious, despite the microwaved tortillas (a big no no if you ask me). Still it was delicious, spicy and filling. Just as tacos should be. And indoors, proper for this dark and cold winter in the North Pole.

Lemuria

There are so many reasons why I haven't been updating my blog much. Finishing school, summer, a new job, laziness haha. Speaking of a new job, I now work around Östermalm, which is the fancy part of town, which in turn means expensive lunches. These past weeks I've been trying to find good places to go for lunch that don't cost a kidney, or two. 

As I may have mentioned before, I'm a vegetarian, and always on the lookout for a good veggie place. 

Enter Lemuria.  Literally a couple of blocks from my job, Lemuria has become one of my favorite places to go for lunch these days. A fully vegetarian restaurant + organic shop + hippie products with ingredients with funny names. All under one roof. 

For lunch they usually serve a warm dish (vegan and non-vegan) plus a fresh salad and a bowl of soup. All for 85kr, which is pretty amazing. The food is just great. Filling, healthy, well seasoned, delicious. 

They also sell organic products and produce. Overall it's relaxing to go to a place that feels very different from the posh, shiny and overpriced restaurants in the area. Yes it's a bit shabby, yes it's a bit hippie, and yes, it's very vegan. And that's why I'm there almost every day now for lunch. 

Snickarbacken 7

It's Monday, Halloween soon. Parties, vampires and zombies. I'm not in the mood for that right now. Been busy working on a web app for my school, coding, programming and designing. Not the usual weekend, but still. Was able tho to take a break at hidden Snickarbacken 7. It's a cafe and a shop in a tucked away garage like shop. The coffee is always perfectly made, good baked goods, filling lunches  and life saving breakfasts. At the very back there's a shop with handpicked garments and accessories that I wish I could afford. The walls are also use as gallery space, showcasing the work of known local artists, which is always updated and well layed out.

This place is a gem in a neighbourhood of prefab chain cafes, fancy stores and soulless clothing brands. It feels genuine, honestly cool. Great place for a coffee break, away from the parties and the vampires. I do feel like a zombie, tho.

It's halloween, after all.

Albert & Jack's

It hasn't snowed in Stockholm, yet. Yes it is cold and yes, it is getting darker. But no snow. That's ok by me. I'm not a big fan of snow. Or skiing or snowboarding. For me snow is something to hide from and avoid at all costs. Unless you are a child in a snow fight. So I'm enjoying this snow-less fall. I was around Humlegården the other day taking pictures pretending to be interesting and I was craving me some good coffee. And croissants. It was cold. Very cold.

Of course I headed to Albert & Jack's. They bake everything with the finest organic flours, always fresh, and always good. This fairly tiny cafe/bakery is ideal for a quick lunch or fika. Good food, strong smooth coffee and fresh baked goods.

During the warmer months they even lend out bikes for people who want to take their food and coffee to the park. I wonder if they are gonna let people borrow skis now for the winter?

I'm not bothered, tho. I don't like skiing. If I can't bike then I walk. If I can't walk then I sit down with a good coffee. And a good croissant. That's what I did the other day.

Boqueria

I never quite understood malls. To me they seem cold, sterile, characterless. When I lived in Los Angeles I even remember that some locals went there jogging before the mall opened, as if it was a park, but indoors. Imagine. Jogging at a mall.

Still I found myself at Mood yesterday. Mood is a mall (or galleria as they call them here), fairly new and different from other malls I've been. It's a modern but charming place, with dim lighting, some stores and several really good restaurants. Yesterday, Saturday night we were heading to the movies, but it was still a bit early and we were in the mood (no pun intended) for some snacking and some wine. Boqueria was the perfect choice. It's a bit fancy but casual and the food is good. We got some veggie tapas and overpriced white wine and just sat there. It's a relaxed bar atmosphere. There's also a proper restaurant for those in need of a lunch/dinner table and waiters.

Then headed to the movies to see the latest Woody Allen movie, Blue Jasmine, which despited the reviews I thought was really bad. Anyway, I should have gone jogging at the mall. Maybe it's allowed here, too.

Juiceverket

I love fruits. I love the idea of eating fresh and healthy, even though I always end up eating something quick, on the go, especially around lunch time. I'm re discovering fruits as a snack. Lately, on my brakes, I head for the super market and get myself some peaches and grapes, or bananas and a pineapple or two. I don't wear a pineapple on my head and I never trip on banana peels.

Smoothies are a great if expensive way to get fruits into the daily routine. And I must say I truly enjoy smoothies. Even the name 'smoothie' sounds delicious. Smooth.

Juiceverket prepares some of the best smoothies in town. Fresh ingredients, power foods (spirulina, ginger, etc) and all the loud music you can take. I usually go to the one by Mood Galleria. It's a small shop, right by the door. The staff is energetic and helpful. The smoothies have random names (I'm sure there's a history behind it, but never asked) and they even have really good sandwiches for lunch. It's not the cheapest place, but I think it's well worth it. I love fruits. And I love smoothies. They are smooth. And fruity.

Roberts Coffee

I haven't posted much lately. I've been working a lot, travelling some and working some more. Thats about to change, tho. I noticed that newstockholm has been quite useful for several visitors and I still get really nice emails about it. So it is my duty to keep sampling coffee and good food around town. It must be done.

The other day I found myself at Ösermalms Saluhall, an impressive food market in the fancy part of town. From pasta, to classic swedish dishes, this place has it all for food nerds. It was around 11am, too early for lunch, so I went to Roberts Coffee. I was very conservative, I got a cappuccino and a cinnamon bun. The coffee was smooth and the bun was just perfect. Ideal for a pre lunch snack (or a second breakfast). They also offer different kinds of organic juices, teas, sandwiches, etc. For me the coffee and the bulle were enough.

I've been working a lot and travelling some more. But I will always have time for a pre lunch snack. Even in the fancy part of town.