The West Coast Fjord Country - Norway - page 339

Storgata 17, N-6509 Kristiansund N. & 71-57-03-00. Fax [phone]. www.rainbow-hotels.no. 49 units.
1,145NOK ($163) double. Children under 5 stay free in parent's room. Rates include breakfast. AE, DC, MC,
V. Free parking. Amenities: Restaurant; bar/nightclub; laundry service/dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms;
rooms for those w/limited mobility. In room: TV, minibar, hair dryer.
WHERE TO DINE
Consulen NORWEGIAN/FRENCH One of the most popular restaurants in
town, Consulen is housed on the lobby level of the First Grand Hotel south of
the bus station. The decor includes comfortable banquettes and lots of wood
trim. Menu items change daily and are most satisfying. You might begin with
melon with Norwegian ham or an appetizer of grilled scampi with curry sauce.
There is a studied simplicity to the cooking—nothing's fancy, but each dish is
properly prepared. Try the grilled salmon in a creamy fish sauce with fresh veg-
etables or the filet of reindeer with bacon and mountain berries. They also do a
good filet of pork with grilled scampi. For dessert, they are known for their
homemade ice cream.
In the First Grand Hotel, Bernstoffstredet 1. & 71-57-13-00. Reservations recommended. Main courses
130NOK-300NOK ($18-$43). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Sat 4:30-10:30pm. Closed 1 week at Christmas, 1 week
at Easter.
Smia Fiskerestaurant SEAFOOD/NORWEGIAN Installed in a for-
mer blacksmith's shop, this place serves great seafood in a picturesque setting.
The atmosphere of exposed bricks, antique furniture, and a burning fireplace are
in keeping with the style of this 1787 house. The fish soup is the best in town.
You might also select a starter such as king crab salad or scallops and prawns. For
a main course, the grilled monkfish with vegetables and a white-wine sauce is a
star, although you may want to try one of the dried cod dishes, for which the
town became famous, instead. You can finish off with a caramel pudding or per-
haps ice cream with whisky.
Fosnagate 30B. & 71-67-11-70. Reservations recommended. Main courses 110NOK-215NOK ($16-$31).
AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 4-11pm; Sat 2-11pm; Sun 2-9pm.
KRISTIANSUND N AFTER DARK
Most of the action is found at the Tulip Inn Rainbow Bar ( & 71-57-03-00 )
in the Tulip Inn Rainbow Kristiansund (see review above). In a cozy setting with
leather chairs, this is an informal place to gather for drinks, attracting patrons in
their 20s to their 40s. Every Wednesday is karaoke night, and sometimes a live
band is brought in on Friday and Saturday nights. It's open Monday to Satur-
day 8pm to 1:30am. There's often a 40NOK ($5.70) cover on Friday and Sat-
urday nights if there is live entertainment.