Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Winter in Copenhagen
The new addition: The Paustian building was designed by famous Danish architect Jørn Utzon.
Danish cuisine at its best By Signe Hansen | Photos: Restaurant Paustian & Restaurationen
Located in the centre of old Copenhagen, Restaurationen has, with its elegant interiors and contemporary Danish kitchen, become an integrated part of the capital. The restaurant was opened 20 years ago by husband and wife Bo and Lisbeth Jacobsen - both experienced chefs. Recently, the couple added another budding classic to the city’s gastronomic palette: Restaurant Paustian in Copenhagen’s North Harbour. With the two original restaurants, the couple aims to treat foodies to the best of, what could very simply be described as, genuine modern and traditional Danish cuisine.
40 | Issue 36 | December 2011
“In Restaurationen, we do new Danish dishes; we experiment a bit and play around with the ingredients, but we don’t, as many other restaurants do at the moment, do ‘new Nordic cuisine’. We think there is plenty of great stuff to pick from in Denmark,” explains Bo Jacobsen. “With restaurant Paustian we wanted to introduce people to the original Danish kitchen. We are both from the 50s, so in a way this is the food from our childhood; we both grew up with mothers who were great cooks and always served fresh and home-cooked food.” Classic but not stiff With its mahogany floors, white tablecloths, silverware, and Royal Danish
porcelain settings, Restaurationen provides the perfect setting for a special night out with friends and family or clients and business partners. But while the setting is elegant and classic, the two restaurateurs have never in any way aimed for a particularly fancy or highbrow atmosphere. “Our main imperative has always been to create an enjoyable night for our guests; we want them to feel at home and welcome. That’s also why they won’t get a long lecture at the table about the food; we don’t think it is the role of a restaurateur to show off in front of the guests. No. Our waiters are told to act the way they would if they had guests in their own home,” explains Jacobsen.