Scan Magazine | Restaurant of the Month | Norway
Inside the café at City Hall.
Restaurant of the Month, Norway
Food for the body, heart and soul Vegetarian restaurant Fragrance of the Heart, with its two locations across the Norwegian capital, offers great-tasting vegetarian and vegan food in a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Fragrance of the Heart
As part of the international family of vegetarian cafes inspired by peace advocate and philosopher Sri Chinmoy (19312007), Fragrance of the Heart strives to make the world a little bit better. “People can come in here and read a book and relax – they can really take a break from the daily stresses of everyday life,” explains manager Ellen Brandt, who has worked in the café since 2009. “The food is not only for the taste buds, but for the body, heart and soul.”
A wholesome menu The menu at the café, unsurprisingly, offers exclusively vegetarian and raw food made from scratch. The restau96 | Issue 108 | January 2018
rant uses fresh vegetables, no additives and no refined sugar, and also offers gluten-free alternatives. “We go for alternatives like maple syrup instead of sugar,” says Brandt. “We are very aware that many people have allergies, so we aim to create tasty and healthy meals that can be enjoyed by vegetarians, vegans and non-veggies.” Brandt explains that the majority of the customers are vegetarian or vegan, but there is a large amount of visitors who come to the café simply for the tasty food. “There is a lot of variety, especially for the people who come in every day, so they always find something new on
the menu,” she says. “We have specials that change every day, which could be anything from an Indian curry with rice, dhal, chutney and salad, to a veggie loaf with mashed sweet potatoes, mushroom sauce and a salad. We serve salad with all of our meals.” The recipes have no set focus on a particular country or region – it can be Norwegian, Italian, Indian or Mexican. “We usually also serve two different vegan meals, and every day we have lasagne, a Greek spinach pie and a French quiche,” says Brandt. Many regulars also appreciate the gourmet selection of organic coffees and other warm drinks.
Great sources of protein With a focus on good proteins for vegans and vegetarians, Fragrance of the Heart uses a lot of non-GMO produce, organic tofu, chickpeas, lentils and beans. For