Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
combination; the rest have showers only. The hotel's drinking and entertainment
facilities draw a range of patrons from Drammen youth to the post-30 crowd.
There is both formal and informal dining, and you can patronize the facilities
even if you don't stay here.
Gamble Kirkelplass 3, N-3019 Drammen.
&
32-26-36-00.
Fax 32-26-37-77. www.rica.no. 100 units.
895NOK-1,325NOK ($127-$188) double; 1,600NOK ($227) suite.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; 2 bars; night-
club; laundry service/dry cleaning. In room: TV, dataport, minibar, hair dryer (in some units).
WHERE TO DINE
Skutebrygga
NORWEGIAN This restaurant's nautical decor—marine
artifacts and antique maps and paintings of the coastline—creates a romantic
backdrop for the superb cuisine. This traditional Drammen eatery lies along the
riverbank, off the main square of town. In summer tables are placed in the court-
yard. On cold nights, the fireplace is blazing. Many dishes are inspired by French
or Italian cuisine. Try the lutefisk, a traditional Norwegian dish made with spe-
cially treated cod; or the
pennekgott,
a tender rack of lamb, which is smoked and
then steamed. The English-speaking staff is polite and friendly.
Nedre Strandgate 2.
&
32-83-33-30.
Reservations required. Main courses 175NOK-280NOK ($25-$40).
AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun noon-9pm.
Teatercafeen
NORWEGIAN/CONTINENTAL This restaurant is the
best and most sophisticated in town. A mixed clientele, ranging from business-
people to theater patrons, dine here. It is filled with comfortable sofas for loung-
ing. The large dining area has picture windows and is also divided into smoking
and nonsmoking areas. Menu items are made from fresh, quality ingredients and
served in generous portions. A featured appetizer is the excellent smoked Nor-
wegian salmon. You can proceed from that to a savory duck breast in a tradi-
tional orange sauce. For a real regional specialty, opt for filet of reindeer in a
Madeira sauce with fresh vegetables. A large selection of well-prepared fish
dishes is featured nightly, including delectable versions of trout and salmon,
along with a first-rate crème brûlée for dessert.
Øvre Storgata 17.
&
32-21-78-21.
Reservations required. Main courses 120NOK-300NOK ($17-$43). DC,
MC, V. Sun-Thurs 4-11pm; Fri-Sat 4pm-3am. Closed July.
DRAMMEN AFTER DARK
Special events (check locally) are staged at the landmark
Drammens Teater og
Kulturhjus,
Øvre Storgata 12 (
&
32-21-31-00
). Originally constructed in
1870, the theater burned down in 1993 and was rebuilt 3 years later.
The town's hot spot is
Riggen Pub,
Amtmann Blomsgate 4 (
&
32-83-67-
00
), which draws patrons ages 20 to 70. Aass Brewery, one of the oldest brew-
eries in Norway, owns this stone structure. Naturally, the only beer served is Aass
beer. Patrons flock here because it offers the best beer around and features live
entertainment on Wednesday, Friday, and weekends, ranging from blues to rock
'n' roll. Hours are Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 1am, Friday and Saturday
11am to 3am. A cover charge of 40NOK ($5.70) is imposed only on Friday and
Saturday nights.
DAY TRIP TO AMOT I MODUM
One of the greatest day trips from Oslo is to the small village of Amot, formerly
known for its cobalt mines and today a virtual pint-size Disneyland of attrac-
tions for the whole family. Amot i Modum lies 70km (42 miles) southwest of
Oslo and a 30-minute drive north of Drammen along Route 35.
