New Nordic Cuisine in DC!

Photo by Emily Clack

This past March, I began my exploration of New Nordic Cuisine in Iceland, but now you will have the chance to get a taste right here in DC.    Lucky for you, the embassies of the Nordic countries are bringing the region’s best and most creative chefs to the United States for the very first time ever.  Don't miss the Nordic Food Days June 19-26th!  Can't wait to see my friend Siggi and meet the other Nordic Chefs.

From June 21^st through 26^th, Masa 14 will celebrate the innovation and high quality of Swedish cuisine during Nordic Food Days.  This weeklong celebration is a creative partnership between the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington and the Nordic Innovation Centre.  It entails five of the world’s best chefs from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden coming to the nation’s capital to create tasting menus for five of the top area restaurants. The event is the first of its kind, bringing world-class chefs representing the Nordic countries together in the United States.

During the Nordic Food Days, Masa 14 will partner with Swedish Chef Tommy Myllymäki to create specials based on recipes from his homeland.  The rotating dishes will be available during dinner service and are priced between $7 and $13 each.  Guests can choose items a la carte or select three specials from the featured menu for $30 per person (tax and gratuity not included).  Standouts include the Halibut Tartar with Oysters served with yogurt snow, apple and allspice vinaigrette; Buttered Pork Broth with Lovage served with parsley, spinach and a side of slow-cooked pork; Tender Baked Cod with browned butter and vinegar sabayonne, pickled cucumber, algae and cauliflower; Stone Fried Saddle of Lamb with emulsified butter and lingonberries flavored with smoked lamb shoulder, as well as Tempered Strawberries with Sour Cream Sorbet with lemon verbena, milk caramel and meringue.  Masa 14’s full a la carte menu will also be available during the duration of this promotion.

Masa 14’s featured guest Chef Myllymäki is the 2011 silver medalist at one of the world’s most prestigious cuisine contests, Bocuse d’Or.  He was classically trained at one of Sweden's highly recognized culinary schools, and has worked with many acclaimed chefs and restaurants in Scandinavia, such as Noma in Denmark.  He is the owner of two successful restaurants in Sweden and received national recognition 2007 as Chef of the Year in Sweden.  He is known for combining his Swedish heritage and passion for seasonal ingredients, which is evident in his cuisine’s fine and distinct flavors.  For additional information about Nordic Food Days please visit: http://www.nordicinnovation.org/nordicfooddaysdc.