The Route to the North Cape - Norway - page 406

INEXPENSIVE
Nordst Jernen Hotel In the town center, south of the bus station, the
Nordst Jernen has long been known as one of the best hotel values in the area.
Guest rooms are decorated in pastels to offset the winter gloom. Rooms vary in
size, but all are comfortable and well maintained. Bathrooms are small but
equipped with tub/shower combinations.
Kongensgate 26, N-8500 Narvik. & 76-94-41-20. Fax [phone]. www.nordstjernen.no. 24 units.
750NOK-850NOK ($107-$121) double. Rates include breakfast. DC, MC, V. Free parking. Bus: 14 or 16.
Amenities: Restaurant; lounge. In room: TV, hair dryer.
WHERE TO DINE
Pub und Kro INTERNATIONAL Less expensive and less formal than the
Radisson SAS's main dining room (see below), this cozy restaurant is one of the
most popular venues for dining and drinking in town. The menu offers an array
of fresh foodstuff with zesty flavors and spices--providing a change of pace from
reindeer. For a main course, try the marinated steak prepared in a Tex-Mex style
or traditionally with mushrooms or béarnaise sauce. The pizza and a creamy
pasta carbonara are also good choices.
In the Radisson SAS Grand Royal Hotel, Kongensgate 64. & 76-97-70-77. Reservations recommended.
Main courses 100NOK-225NOK ($14-$32). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 11am-12:30am; Fri-Sat
11am-1:30am; Sun noon-1am.
Royal Blue NORWEGIAN The best restaurant in the region is decorated,
appropriately, in strong royal blues. It's the preferred choice of visiting digni-
taries, including the king. Service is polite and the food's delectable. Specialties
include sauna-smoked ham with asparagus, cured salmon with crème fraîche,
reindeer curry with Brussels sprouts and apricots, and large beefsteaks. Royal
Blue is located on the lobby level of the Radisson SAS Hotel (see “Where to
Stay,” above). The menu changes seasonally.
In the Radisson SAS Grand Royal Hotel, Kongensgate 64. & 76-97-70-00. Reservations recommended.
Main courses 180NOK-375NOK ($26-$53). AE, DC, MC, V. Tues-Sat 5-10pm. Bus: 14, 15, 16, or 17.
NARVIK AFTER DARK
An animated (and sometimes hard-drinking and rowdy) pub that attracts lots of
good-looking and accessible locals ages 25 to 50 is the Taket Pub, Bolagsgate 17
( & 76-96-34-30 ). A competitor, attracting somewhat the same crowd, that's
open more frequently in winter than in summer, is the wood- and stone-
trimmed Pub within the Norlandia Narvik Hotel, Skistuaveien 8 ( & 76-96-
48-00 ). They tend to offer live music, for which the schedule varies widely
throughout the year.
A student hangout, Malmen, Kongensgate 44 ( & 76-94-20-00 ), is a dance
club with a nautical decor, attracting patrons in their late teens and 20s. The
music is varied, often alternative or hip-hop. Friday and Saturday nights are
devoted to disco and a 50NOK ($7.10) cover charge is levied. It's open Sunday
to Thursday 8pm to 1am and Friday and Saturday 8pm to 3am.
Resepten, Industriveien 5 ( & 76-94-26-38 ), is a 50-seat cozy bar whose
walls are adorned with artwork from Norwegian artists. Light background music
is played most nights, giving way to rock on the weekends. Some of the beers on
tap come from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Most patrons here range in age from 30
to 50. It's open Monday to Thursday from 8pm to 1am, and Friday and Satur-
day 8pm to 3am.

Value