PUMPKIN SOUP!

Geranium is the first and only three-star rated Michelin restaurant in Copenhagen. I was quite delightful to visit Geranium and definitely recommend the restaurant to degustation lovers. Rasmus Kofoed is the executive chef and co-owner of the restaurant. He has won three medals in Bocuse d’Or, one of the world’s most prestigious cooking competition. The restaurant was opened in 2007 and rewarded by a Michelin star in 2008, however, it was temporarily closed due to a change of investors. In 2012, Geranium has returned to the Michelin guide with one Michelin star, and rewarded by two and three Michelin stars in 2013 and 2016 respectively.

Ambiance 

Geranium is located on the 8th floor in Common Gardens where you have a great view of the nature of Copenhagen. The decoration is plain and has bright lighting. If you came here as two people, you will be sitting at the circle tables where you will have a single long chair. It especially looks very nice for couples. Part of the kitchen is open, so the tables can see the last stage of how the dishes are being prepared. Unfortunately, there was cold air coming from somewhere, so we felt a bit cold while we were eating. Toilets were very clean and large enough for disabled people. If you prefer, there is an area at the entrance of the restaurant where you can have your coffee or tea after your meal is finished.  

Taste

“Thoughtfulness can be tasted”

The courses were very tasteful. There was a great harmony between the contrasting types of ingredients. Degustation menu gives you an insight of the Nordic cuisine, strongly recommended for seafood enthusiasts. Executive chef Rasmus Kofoed has a strong passion for vegetables, herbs, fish & shellfish from the oceans. To ensure the best quality possible and to preserve the environment, most of the ingredients in the menu are locally sourced from the organic and biodynamic farms. Selected wines are served from naturally made independent wine growers. Juices and gluten-free bread and butter are homemade. Beers are served from Danish microbreweries.

The Autumn Universe degustation menu consists of 6 appetizers, 7 dishes, 3 desserts and petit fours that accompany your tea or coffee.  The dishes definitely show evident levels of culinary skill. It took us three and a half hours to finish the degustation menu. None of the dishes were particularly more tasteful than the others. However, I really enjoyed the green egg with pine from sweets, a bite of beetroot, rhubarb, yoghurt & tagetes from desserts and wild duck with the aroma of juniper, blackcurrant leaves, dried plum & pickled pine from dishes. Appetizers were the best part with pleasing flavor combinations. Especially “razor clam” with minerals & sour cream.

Creativity

Dishes were creative, however, with regards to the price of the degustation menu, I had higher expectations in terms of creativity from a three-star Michelin restaurant.

I really enjoyed the tea at the end of the lunch. They have brought the vases in which they planted the herbs. The staff prepared the freshly cut herbs for the tea from the vase at our table. It was a great ending to an unforgettable degustation experience.

Pumpkin tree & cake with pumpkin seed oil in desserts were very creative and looking very decorative at the table as well as the original razor clam which had a great texture.

Service

We have made our restaurant reservations for Michelin star restaurants in Copenhagen three months in advance. Even with this timing, we had to book Geranium for lunch instead of dinner since it was fully booked. It is highly recommended that you book your table as early as possible. You need to pay a deposit in advance, otherwise, your reservation will not be confirmed. This is common in Copenhagen.

The staff is very friendly and informative. Every dish was explained to us in great detail. For one of the dishes, they did not tell the main ingredient and asked us to guess what it was. It was quite fun to discuss it with our friends. For the special courses, four of us were served by four waiters in parallel. We were amazed by this gesture. There are almost more chefs and waiters than guests at Geranium. All the courses were served with great timing. The service quality was premium.

The website is also very informative. You can check out the website and find all the details you would like to have, ranging from prices to menus.

instagram: restaurant_geranium

Value 

The degustation menu is expensive compared to other Michelin restaurants in Copenhagen and all around the world. Price of the menu “The Geranium Autumn Universe” is DKK 2000 which is approximately EUR 270 as of February 2017. Price per dish is approximately EUR 16. If you would like to have a wine pairing it costs DKK 1400 to DKK 3300. If you do not prefer alcohol, you may also try juice pairing for DKK 700. A fee is added when you are using a credit card for the payment.

Wine menu was quite diversified and well balanced with the courses. The sommelier was very experienced and his wine pairing recommendations were perfect. We have drunk a 2013 Pinot Grigio, Tramin, Alto Adige, Italy which was well-matched with the degustation menu.