With check-in at Fäviken beginning at 16h00 it was in Åre that several hours were spent on Friday…read moreafternoon, the ciiy best-known for its ski resort fairly quiet on the first day of June but Magnus Nilsson's Krus fully operational and no longer a pop-up but instead an all-day eatery focused on traditional Swedish dishes plus Bread, Charcuterie and Fika. Originally opened late 2017 but quickly making an impact, Nilsson's The Nordic Cookbook forming a backbone of recipes executed with local Meats and Produce, guests entering Krus will quickly find themselves greeted by ladies behind a long counter, the low ceilings making everything about the place feel intimate while a comfortable dining room with toasters on each table beckons to the left. Assembled for counter-ordering during the day with a broader menu and table service at Dinner, reservations apparently strongly recommended during busier seasons, it was after being informed that Pate had already sold out for the day that an order was assembled, the balance between tasting a lot and not being full at dinner initially a bit difficult to gauge but portions thankfully small and generally offering good value. Beginning each table with complimentary Housemade Bread and the same golden Butter gracing tables at Nilsson's Michelin two-star Magasinet, the ability to warm each slice well-advised, it was with two morning Pastries including a Parisian-quality Almond Croissant both showing well that Charcuterie and Sausage arrived, the former a product of Fäviken's partnership with nearby Underaker and the Isterband rich and texturally compelling with a particularly snappy Casing. Waiting a bit longer for fried bits of Cod caught nearby, this appetizer and a side of boiled Potatoes faultlessly executed though certainly not a revelation, it was in follow-up that a brined and grilled Chicken in its Juices was delivered, the fact that it was still too hot to touch almost cruel as guests risked burned hands and mouth to get to crispy Skin and supple Flesh as quickly as possible. Rounding out the visit with two Desserts, a Rhubarb Clafoutis nicely flavored but not baking up as custard-y in porcelain as it tends to in cast iron, it seemed rather "hipster" that Krus offers Soft Serve as an option but immediately upon tasting one bite the reason and menu's description are both evident thanks to restrained sweetness and a palate-coating texture.

Skiing or boarding in the world class slopes of åre for the 2019 championships? Or headed to…read moreFäviken for a world class meal? Maybe both? Well before either you can get a rocking breakfast at Krus run by Magnus' talented baker from Fäviken. Superb Swedish/French pastries, charcuterie from Magnus' butcher shop and simple cooking to get you through the cold winter day. Simple excellence all around in a friendly environment from the Fäviken family

Located approximately half-way between the city of Åre and Fäviken it was in order to pass some…read moretime before Check-in that two guests stopped at Åre Chokladfabrik, the sizable building at Björnänge 801 containing not only a retail store and manufacturing facilities but also a Coffee Bar and plenty of Samples. Originally opened in 1991 and since growing their product line to include upwards of twenty Truffles plus Meltaways, Ice Cream and Brittle including some Vegan and Sugar-Free options it was after tasting several items including unique seasonal flavors that choices were made, a sizable tube of creamy Goat Milk Caramels taken overseas as a souvenir while Strawberry-Rhubarb Ice Cream eaten in-store was unfortunately less smooth than ideal though the Fruit flavors were sweet and bright.

Checked out of Fäviken by 10h30 it was with a lengthy drive ahead that two guests stopped into Åre…read moreBageri for provisions, the sizable space fairly full considering a season of empty slopes but servers all pleasant and helpful while prices trend a bit lower than those for similar items in Stockholm. Open since 1984 and at this point a full-scale Restaurant featuring everything from Fika to Sandwiches and housemade Ice Cream, early hours additionally offering a grab and go table of Breads, Jams and Spreads, it was after lengthy perusal of forty-plus items that seven were selected, some including a particularly light slice of Princess Cake with a ribbon of Raspberry Jam never intended to make it to the car and most of the rest not surviving past the door either. Taking a seat in the dining room with loaded bag and tray, several other patrons opting for al fresco dining during northern Sweden's short Summer, it was as another happily worked her way through the aforementioned Cake that attention was shifted to a still-warm Cinnamon Roll, the lack of one spiced instead by Cardamom admittedly disappointing though the golden top and soft yet springy interior was excellent nonetheless. Finding a few items not previously seen elsewhere, one titled Havrekaka essentially a finely-ground Oatmeal Cookie baked crisp and drizzled in Chocolate, it was next into a second Järvsölak that teeth sank, the chewy Coconut base even better than that al Lill-Babs in Järvsö while the Chokladboll was similarly flawed by being all Cocoa and almost no Oats or shredded Coconut save for the outside. At this point with only a few half-items set aside, the fact that neither a filled Donut nor Pie with a sidecar of Vanilla Bean Anglaise was likely to travel well something that probably should have been considered earlier, suffice it to say that "saving the best for last" still proved to be a good choice despite being well-sated as the Custard inside sugared Dough was thick and rich without being too sweet while the buttery Shell full of toasted Nuts and Caramel was essentially a supersized Notknappare made even better by its creamy Condiment.

We always stop at this bakery. The food is always fresh and tasty, deserts are irresistible and…read morevery attentive personnel. Very cosy place.