2_1_ScanMag_80_Sep-Oct_2015_Q9_Scan Magazine 1 15/09/2015 19:39 Page 104
Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway
Restaurant of the Month, Norway
A real-life postcard In this little village on the west coast of Norway, just inches from the stunning Geiranger fjord, going to the post office has taken on a whole new meaning. These days, it means visiting the beloved Brasserie Posten. By Stine Wannebo | Photos: Brasserie Posten
Few associate a delicious meal or a soft piece of home-baked pastry with going to the post office. Yet, to the 220 inhabitants of the little village in the innermost part of the Geiranger fjord, that is just what it entails. The fusion between old and new is nothing short of stunning, as the traditional community hub has been turned into a spectacular place to dine.
is definitely local at heart. He runs the restaurant together with his love, Malin Merok, who inherited the old post office. “Her great grandfather was the first to bring a mail service to this part of the country,” Løken enthuses. “He opened his very own post office right here and his son started selling postcards with images he had photographed and developed himself.”
An historic legacy Brasserie Posten has only been open for three short years, but there is no doubt that the restaurant has captivated locals and visitors alike. According to chef and owner Kenneth Løken, the establishment
104 | Issue 80 | September 2015
Postcard-perfect Few places in the world have surroundings as dramatic and idyllic as Geiranger. That is certainly the reason why visitors from all across the globe travel far to get
a glimpse of this deep-blue fjord. In summer, majestic cruise ships come in and out of the fjord like they were ferries. The area is blossoming, bustling with the added liveliness of its visitors. “The town magically duplicates during the summer months. It’s by far the busiest time of year, but it also allows us to challenge ourselves and create something truly special,” says Løken. The many nationalities, represented not only by the tourists but also by those who choose to spend their summers working in Geiranger, generate a creative and original atmosphere. But nothing can overshadow the undeniable beauty of this spectacular scenery: the stunningly green hills, the fresh, turquoise streams and the time-honoured buildings are so exceptional that it can only be described as postcard-perfect. No wonder it is one of