Consider this for a meal: rarefied albino caviar, golden in colour and result of uncommon mutations-eggs of the sterlet, a small species of sturgeon (fish) from Eurasia, native to large rivers that flow into the Black Sea, supple and velvety, plated with white asparagus and pastry bread. Another course has a mousse of lamb brains and foie gras served in a bleached lamb skull, garnished with ants and roasted mealworms with a drink containing bioluminescence extracted from jellyfish, glowing beautifully in dim lights. There is also a human brain on the table-the cavity of a realistic, life-size model of a man's head-a theatrical spectacle for an immersive experience. These mind-blowing mouthfuls of food are central to Alchemist, a two Michelin-starred restaurant in Copenhagen. Helming this creative innovation is chef and co-owner Rasmus Munk, known for making Alchemist a holistic cuisine restaurant that normally charges upwards of ₹50,000 a head and offers 45-plus courses in sixhour-long tasting menus.
At 33, Munk has already aced his recipe for running a restaurant that is famous as much for its imaginative dishes as for its "politically charged" messages served on the side. At Alchemist, both visual appeal and earthy tastes are equally significant and neither can overshadow the other. Take, for example, the red cherry glazed lamb brain, poached and sliced surgically in front of the diner, or the pigeon breast served dangling from its feathered head. Even its location seems to be carefully picked a relatively remote part of Copenhagen known for its industrial buildings and an old shipyard. Perfect plot to forge fantasy and food! Even the "two-tonne-heavy bronze" doors have a dramatic air about them, with "decorations reminiscent of Narnia or Middle-Earth", wrote the World's 50 Best Restaurants that adjudged Alchemist as the eighth
SPACE FARE
Denne historien er fra August 11, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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Denne historien er fra August 11, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Why Trump covets Greenland
There’s no denying it. Donald Trump is a prince among real estate developers, known for his pushy, winner-takes-all approach.
Bomb man who kept his mouth shut
The best thing about Rajagopala Chidambaram, who passed away recently, was that he “could keep his mouth shut”, as his mentor Raja Ramanna wrote in his memoir, Years of Pilgrimage. No wonder, he tested six atom bombs with no CIA, ISI or satellite spy eyes getting any wiser beforehand.
Extreme to mainstream
With the recent surrender of six Naxals, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declares Karnataka almost “Naxal-free”. The BJP is questioning his “closeness” to the far left
SUMMITS, SURVIVAL AND SERVICE
Mountaineering expeditions play a crucial role in mountain warfare training
EYES ON THE ICE
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Time to dream big
Every year, January 12 is celebrated as National Youth Day—as homage to the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, honouring his enduring teachings and visionary ideas.
Climbing the power ladder
In his latest book, T.V. Paul explores India's search for its day in the sun as a global power
Howdy, rowdies
The world is already exhausted, and Donald Trump has not even begun his second term.
The going gets rough
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Eastward Ho!
Odisha, which hosted this year's Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, is emerging as a focal point for India's Act East Policy, given the turmoil in the northeast