Culinary Highlights at Sweden's only Floating Hotel

Both my Napa Valley winemaker friend, Emil and I were looking forward all trip to a visit and stay at Sweden’s only floating hotel – along with a visit to the adjoining restaurant (Salt & Sill) – in the small ocean-side town of Klädesholmen on Tjörn Island in Western Sweden.

This was one of the restaurants on our itinerary we had planned to wear the finest clothes we brought along! However, it was not to be – we barely arrived before closing time in our grubbies due to a delayed earlier appointment; we were quickly seated at a window side table. There are a lot of windows in this restaurant – for good reason. The views overlook a scenic bay which is surrounded by rock; this offers a stark contrast to the water. During the late days of summer you can still be eating at 9pm and be bathed in rays of golden light.

Herring Day in Klädesholmen happens to fall on Sweden’s National holiday of June 6th – this is a day to enjoy a number of herring dishes while visiting town; a top herring recipe is chosen – that winning recipe is then served at Salt & Sill Restaurant for one year. Herring is one of this restaurants’ specialties.

Dinner fully lived up to our expectations. After the 2103 herring award recipe was served (herring with bacon bits), we started our dinner with a delicious appetizer: salmon with pumpkin seeds, dill seeds and a blended Jerusalem artichoke spread. Next up came fresh perfectly cooked tender cod with a Swedish roe, local potatoes and wonderfully steamed yellow beets. While wanting to finish on a high note with the the main course, nevertheless we had saved room for desert and ordered the orange sherbert. Served with fresh sweet raspberries and a fine chocolate crumble – the “note” of the dinner became even higher after polishing off this tasty treat. This was the end to a very very late evening!

I used to say I would envy chasing Spring around the globe all year but now I think I would like to chase the long days around the northern latitudes as the seasons change. There is a calmness that prevails in the late evenings in these small towns – the wind dies down, most people have already gone indoors – yet the sun is still shining.

For more information about this unique hotel and culinary treasure, visit: www.saltosill.se/index.asp/lang/1033