DENMARK - Scandinavia - page 199

Dine with the Danes
For a unique experience and a great opportunity to meet locals in their homes,
consider having this organization arrange a dinner for you with a Danish fam-
ily. You get a homey two-course meal with lots of conversation. Some effort
is made to match your age and interests, but not occupations. Book online at
least a week in advance (400 kr per person, www.dinewiththedanes.dk , tel. 26
85 39 61). Fill out an online questionnaire, and you'll be contacted by email
a day or two later.
Restaurants
I've listed restaurants in three areas: the downtown core, the funky Christian-
shavn neighborhood across the harbor, and the trendy “Meatpacking District”
behind the train station. Most of my suggestions in the high-rent downtown
are tired but reliable Danish classics. For a broader range of Copenhagen's
culinary scene of today, it's worth the short walk to the Meatpacking District.
Due to the high cost of water in Denmark, it's common to be charged for
tap water with your meal if you do not order any other beverage. You'll often
save money by paying with cash; many Danish restaurants charge a fee for
credit-card transactions (about 2-5 percent).
In the Downtown Core
(See “Copenhagen Hotels & Restaurants” map, here .)
Det Lille Apotek (“The Little Pharmacy”) is a reasonable, candlelit place.
It's been popular with locals for 200 years, and now it's also quite touristy.
Their specialty is “Stone Beef,” a big slab of tender, raw steak plopped down
and cooked in front of you on a scalding-hot soapstone. Cut it into smaller
pieces and it's cooked within minutes (sandwich lunches, traditional dinners
for 125-190 kr, nightly from 17:30, just off the Strøget, between Frue Church
and Round Tower at Store Kannikestræde 15, tel. [phone]).
Riz-Raz Vegetarian Buffet has two locations in Copenhagen: around the
corner from the canal boat rides at Kompagnistræde 20 (tel. [phone]) and
across from Det Lille Apotek at Store Kannikestræde 19 (tel. [phone]).
At both places, you'll find a healthy all-you-can-eat Middle Eastern/Mediter-