Långholmen Restaurant

Description:

• We realize you wouldn't normally think of heading to an old prison dining room for food, but don't rule out this offbeat choice yet. This premier dining venue is housed within the Långholmen Hotel, the former state penitentiary turned hotel. From the windows of the old-fashioned dining room, you can still see the high brick walls and other decor that caused a lot of inmates a great deal of mental distress -- from small doors with heavy bolts to bars on the windows. Ironically, within the establishment's restored venue, these mementos are showcased rather than concealed -- even the paintings, many in gentle pastels, reflect the workhouse drudgery that used to prevail here. Diners come today for an unusual insight into the hardships of the 19th century, and menu items that change with the seasons. Examples include a carpaccio of shellfish, smoked breast of duck with a walnut-cranberry vinaigrette, a combination of lobster and turbot stewed with vegetables in a shellfish bouillon, and tournedos of venison with juniper berries, smoked ham, pepper sauce, and Swedish potatoes. This is hardly prison food -- in fact, only market-fresh ingredients are used, and the staff here is clearly dedicated to pleasing your palate.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010