Kungsholmen

Simon planned and prepared (and possibly prayed) that my trip would be a good one. Kungsholmen was part of that plan from the start. Boasting several "kitchens" in a single space, it's like a 5-star place meets a mall food court. That idea sounds just as terrifying to you as it did to me, but stay with me on this one. When not penned up in the Swedish winter (which I naturally assume is all other weeks save Midsummer) the people rush to be outdoors in any way, shape, form, and for any reason that they can imagine. I had always heard of "Sun-worshiping Swedes" but didn't truly grasp the term until now. If a cafe has outdoor seating? They're there. If there is an unoccupied patch of grass in the city? They're rolling up their pants and sleeves to bake in it. Situated on the water facing Södermalm, Kungsholmen is neither outdoors nor in. It's indoors when you want it to be, but outdoors otherwise. The ceiling is a patchwork of colored sticks, painted wood in the heated tropical colors that inspire the near-East cuisine. It's Asian? It's Swedish. There's sushi? But also beef. Do you want wasabi? Perhaps caviar and mayonnaise? It's beautiful, and the staff can't be beat service-wise (this is coming from the most difficult of difficult-to-please, mind you). Maybe it was the Champagne talking? Maybe it was the delicious food and kind waiter? Maybe it was the fact that Simon probably paid his rent in our small dinner? I say it's worth it, if not for the cuisine, just for the breathtakingly beautiful walk there (you pass some very famous, historic Swedish sites along the boardwalk lined with boats). Get there before sunset, but don't leave until after, unless of course, you came during Midsummer. That means you'd leave at 3 a.m., and that would be madness.