Aquavit - New York - TravBuddy

Aquavit is the star restaurant of celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson who was born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden. The fare is Scandanavian and their specialty is the aquavit drink, a grain alcohol similar to vodka that they infuse with flavors varying from coriander to cucumber. We went on a bitterly cold day right around Christmas time. There was some kind of mix up where the waiter didn't know we were assigned to him, so there was a lengthy and awkward period where we were not even given the menu. But we didn't even need to say anything as I made the slightest glance to the maitre de and he instantly knew what had happened. From then on, they totally made up for the error and then some. They started by offering us complimentary glog, a Swedish drink made with mulled wine, fruit, and seasoning served warm. A perfect drink for the cold we come in from. We then ordered a flight of aquavits and one of our appetizers came with a beer accompaniment. Then they gave us free champagne. So imagine this, on the table for two people we had two mugs of glog, two flutes of champagne, three glasses of aquavit and one glass of beer all at the same time. We must have looked ridiculous, but it was oh so much fun. The food was also excellent. I had a plate of herring prepared three ways for starters and a terrific brioche wrapped salmon for the main course. Being Christmas time, they had Swedish carolers roaming from room to room singing with lit candles on their heads. To top off the night, they also comped our dessert. The service was just so wonderful that I love retelling this story. It's the perfect word of mouth advertising.