Archive for category Shopping
Making Norway’s best beer
Posted by admin in Food and drink, Shopping on March 13, 2010
Fancy a beer? Then remember this name, Nøgne Ø, next time you go down to your local Vinmonopolet! The brewery (the name means ‘barren isle’, and comes from a poem by Henrik Ibsen!) snapped the first four places in the Norwegian Beer Club Association’s (Norøl’s) listing of Norway’s best beers in 2009. The winner in the ‘Norwegian beer of the year’ category was Nøgne Ø Special Holiday Ale. Nøgne Ø had new fewer than 8 beers in the top 10 in this category. The ‘Norwegian brewery of the year’ award went to (no points for guessing!) Nøgne Ø, followed by Haandbryggeriet, Aass and Berentsen Brygghus.
Best imported beers, by the way, were the Danish Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel which came first, followed by American Flying Dog Snake Dog and Stone Brewing Special Holiday Ale.
I haven’t tried any of these yet, so I can’t tell you more, but I thought that was an impressive pedigree. I promise to investigate on your behalf! Cheers! (or rather Skål!)
More info on Nøgne Ø, in English, at www.nogne-o.com
More on beer in Norway at the Beer Academy in Oslo www.ol-akademiet.no (Norwegian only)
Lannem Pottery
Established for over 50 years, Lannem Pottery, located just outside Rakkestad in Indre-Østfold, is one of the oldest in Norway. Here you can watch the local potter at work in the studio, shaping the clay on his wheel, before browsing the big showroom for the finished product – an extensive range of Lannem earthenware and ceramics are on sale, with a range of colours and models to choose from. Bargain hunters should look out for the second grade products (products with minor flaws, yet fully usable) not retailing in other shops, but available at a good price at Lannem. Østfoldstua, the onsite cafe, is a cosy place if you fancy a hot drink or a waffle, and there are picnic tables outside should you visit on a sunny summer day.
Along Rv22, 4km north of Rakkestad. Tel: 69 22 20 12, www.lannem.no. Opening times: Mon-Fri 1000-1630 (Thur until 1800), Sat 1000-1400. Closed Sundays.
The state-owned Vinmonopolet: A Norwegian institution
Posted by admin in Food and drink, Photos and videos, Shopping on February 11, 2010
Vinmonopolet outlets in Østfold
Posted by admin in Food and drink, Shopping on February 11, 2010
In Norway you can only buy strong alcohol from the state-owned Vinmonopolet (commonly known as ‘Polet’), which has the exclusive right to retail wine, spirits and strong beer. To help you find your nearest shop, I’ve put together a list of the 10 Vinmonopolet outlets located in Østfold, with contact details and opening times for each one of them.
- Askim, Haugomgata 17. Open Mon-Tue 1000-1700, Wed-Fri 1000-1800, Sat 0900-1500. Tel: 69 88 88 89.
- Fredrikstad (Gamlebyen), Færgeportgate 78 A. Open Mon-Wed 1000-1700, Thu 1000-1800, Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1400. Tel: 69 32 01 40.
- Fredrikstad (Torvbyen), Brochs gate 8-10. Open Mon-Thu 1000-1800, Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1500. Tel: 69 31 17 42.
- Halden (Tista Senter), Walkersgate 4. Open Mon-Fri 1000-1800, Sat 0900-1500. Tel: 69 18 88 68.
- Hvaler, Strandveien 7, Skjærhallen. Open Thu-Fri 1000-1700, Sat 1000-1400. Tel: 69 37 88 29.
- Moss, Prinsens gate 7. Open Mon-Wed 1000-1700, Thu 1000-1800, Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1500. Tel: 69 25 11 43.
- Mysen, Smedgata 30. Open Mon-Wed 1000-1700, Thu-Fri 1000-1800, Sat 0900-1500. Tel: 69 89 77 11.
- Rakkestad, Storgata 17. Tue-Thu 1000-1630, Fri 1000-1700, Sat 1000-1400. Tel: 69 22 97 00.
- Rygge (Rygge Storsenter), Carlbergveien 2. Open Mon-Wed 1000-1700, Thu 1000-1800, Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1500. Tel: 69 26 02 27.
- Sarpsborg (Storbyen Shopping Centre), Roald Amundsens gate 28. Open Mon-Thu 1000-1800, Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1500. Tel: 69 16 14 40.
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For more info visit www.vinmonopolet.no (Norwegian only)
Where to find noodles, curry paste and more?
Posted by admin in Food and drink, Shopping on January 29, 2010
Mekong: Asian food shop in Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Food and drink, Shopping on January 29, 2010
I love Asian food. Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese… you name it. But while there are more and more Asian restaurants to choose from here in Østfold, getting hold of ingredients for cooking at home is not as easy. Only one place to go in Fredrikstad: Mekong. Here you’ll find all the basics such as noodles, spices, pickled vegs, pastes and sauces, but also dried seaweed, mushrooms and roots, fresh tofu, a good selection of frozen fish and seafood, and a fresh fruit and vegetable department selling the likes of pak choi and bitter melons among others. The only thing that’s missing is Japanese food, which sadly I’ve found impossible to find in this part of Norway. But for everything else, from bamboo shoots to wonton leaves, head for Mekong.
Mekong Orientalske Matvarer Pham Van Van, Nygaardsgaten 34, Fredrikstad. Tel: 69 30 72 70.
In a Norwegian supermarket
Posted by admin in Photos and videos, Shopping, Travel and practical stuff on January 17, 2010
Shopping: Prices in Norway
Posted by admin in Shopping, Travel and practical stuff on January 17, 2010
You know it – Norway is expensive. But how expensive exactly? Check out the price list below to get an idea. Once the initial shock over, start saving, and budgeting, for what will no doubt be the trip of your life!
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Main course in a budget restaurant (Chinese, or pizza for example): 120-150Kr
Main course in a more upmarket restaurant: 200-250Kr
Campsite plot for the night: 160Kr
Room for two in a mid-range hotel: 1,200Kr
1l of petrol: 12Kr
Car rental for a week: 4,000Kr
A bottle of beer in a bar: 55-60Kr
A bottle of red wine: (in Vinmonopolet) 100Kr, (in restaurant) 300Kr
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Cinema ticket: 90Kr
Bus ticket: 25Kr
1l of milk: 12Kr
A loaf of bread: 25Kr
Hot dog in a kiosk: 25Kr
Newspaper: 20Kr
Stamp (postcard to Europe): 11Kr
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Prices vary from place to place (from shop to shop, town to town, etc), but the list above is a good indicator of how much you can expect to pay for things here in Norway. You can convert these prices into your own currency using www.xe.com. Check out the following link www.elusivemoose.eu/2009/11/travelling-on-a-budget-in-norway for tips on how to save money during your trip.