Attempting to divide a lengthy drive from Stockholm to Åre into two parts it was based on good word…read moreof mouth that a night was booked at Brostugans Bed & Breakfast in Järvsö, early summer still finding both the hotel and surrounding area quiet with a room for two actually the only one occupied on the day of arrival. Independently owned and operated, a nightly cost of around 875 SEK including accomodations and Breakfast for two, it was after a pleasant night's sleep and long jog around the city that the dining area was found laid out with a sizable spread including housemade and storebought items, the Coffee bold and plentiful while Tea and Juice were also offered and first bites focused on a loaf of housemade Rye that was sliced to preferred thickness and served either plain or toasted. Offering additional Rolls and Crackers plus hardboiled Eggs, Charcuterie and Spreads, the Liver rich and creamy while Kalles "Kaviar" and additional tubes of Meat define "acquired taste," it was to two flavors of liquid Yogurt that an array of Cereals and Museli were added, the Summer Berry a bit too artificially sweet while the Vanilla was good on its own and all the moreso with Raspberry Jam that apeared to be housemade compared to other flavors such as Strawberry and Orange Marmalade with labels on the bottle. Taking an opportunity to try traditional Pickled Herring, a one and done sort of deal at least in terms of the sort that come in a store-bought jar, it was with Pickles, Cheese and a bit more Ham that the palate was cleansed before finishing up with steamy Oats made with milk plus a crisp "Angel" Cookie that came warm from the oven with the rest packed up to go compliments of the house.

As born and raised Americans it was with no knowledge of Barbro Margareta Svensson's life or career…read morethat two guests sat down for Fika at Lill Babs Caffar on Friday morning, the recently deceased native of Järvsö's music playing in stereo across several floors of a space that is as much a museum as it is a Restaurant. Located at 61 Turistvaegen, a fairly busy road that primarily acts as the main route to and through Järvsö, guests entering Lill-Babs beginning at 10am daily will quickly be greeted in a retail store and Bakery, early arrivals likely to find at least a few items warm and service quite pleasant. Offering Coffee and Tea in addition to Sandwiches, Salads and Pastries, sweets being the focus of an order en route to Åre, it was for a modest sum that five choices were plated and placed on a tray, both the Kardemumma Bulle and a similar item without Spices offering a golden surface overlying springy insides rich with Yeast and Butter. Moving next to a local specialty known as Järvsölak, the texture and taste both nearly identical to a traditional Chocolate-dipped Macaroon, it was unfortunate that the Chokladboll was only rolled in Coconut but did not contain any, the texture thus largely like a Truffle and not compelling like the multi-layered Walnut Brownie that followed.