The traditional danish Inn…read more
Thankfully not near extinction like the chinese grill joint, though not as widespread as it once was.
Named "Kro" in danish, it has for centuries been synonymous with abundant, regular food, beverage and sometimes a bed for the night. A large portion of the inns have closed down over the past decades, some still stands as uninhabited, creepy memorials of the good ol' times, when the visitors were wild rovers, traveling craftsmen and hobos roaming the danish countryside.
Nowadays, these proud people are long gone, and a diverse collection of locals, domestic & foreign tourists are now visiting these more or less gastro-nostalgic icons of danish history. Many of these inns are still offering a place to stay for the night, while others performs as restaurants only.
Smakkerup Kro is of the latter type. Located in the western part of Sjælland, about 1 hrs. drive from Copenhagen, and open from Thursday till Sunday. Table reservation is recommended.
First time we went there was with some friends of ours. They had been speaking good words about the place, so we were up to give it a shot.
As we arrived and got our table, we noticed the furnishing and decor inside, which looked like it hadn't changed over the past 40 years. Not run-down or gross, well-maintained and charming interior, with novelties like piggy-shaped toothpick holders, old fashioned wallpaper, 70's brass lamps etc.
After our little tour-de-time-capsule, it was time to order.
I started with the shrimp cocktail. They come in two sizes, normal & king-size.
As a Gourmand, i chose the latter, and what i got was definitely grand. Almost a main course itself, with fresh iceberg, dressing and shrimps aplenty.
As i had already ordered the main course and dessert, i knew there was no way back...and i wondered if it would become necessary to punch more holes in the belt as the evening progressed.
The main course.
Pan-fried flounder filled with shrimp and lobster sauce, served with potatoes.
A whole flounder. The potatoes come on their own plate, as there's absolutely no space left on the main. Pretty normal modus, as it was the case with the schnitzel my friend ordered.
I Analyzed the word "overkill" a bit before i started on the fish.
Wow. Well done, ma'am. Despite being the size of a tractor wheel, it was as rich, as tasty and deliciously arranged as the starter.
Eventually, the main course was history, as well as the 1-litre draught beer.
Time for a break before heading on to the dessert.
The selection of desserts are pretty straightforward, as they all have been in the danish kitchen for decades, and all contains ice cream.
I had settled with "the big ice cream bowl of the house", and oh yes.
I was served a heart-attack sized behemoth, that would scare the sh*t out of Titanic.
The glass bowl contained several scoops of different ice cream in high quality, topped off with whipped cream and a cherry.
Halfway into the bowl, i had to give in. So close to eat the nice little cherry, but didn't. I was flirting with disaster; one like the scene in Monty Python's "The meaning of life" where Mr. Creosote explodes in the french restaurant after eating the "wafer-thin after dinner-mint" offered by the insisting Maitre d' (played by John Cleese).
It probably won't surprise anyone i skipped the coffee.
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We've visited Smakkerup Kro a lot of times since. The food served there is "made from the bottom" - Traditional danish dishes, as mom made 'em. All the times we visited, the staff is best described as smiling, professional and "down to earth", matching well to the rest of the place.
There is good parking facilities, no matter if you drive Cadillac or Kia.
Outdoor serving is avaliable in the summer.
Accommodates very large groups and parties.
