by Sally Hammond

If you, like me, were unaware that Sydney has a Nordic restaurant, don’t feel too badly. I think this six-year-old restaurant run by Ulrik Pedersen has been largely overlooked by Sydneysiders.

And I have to wonder why. After all, the Scandinavians taught us the word ‘smorgasbord’, and now every large hotel has one – although the name has possibly morphed into the easier-to-spell ‘buffet’.

They showed us too, how great open sandwiches (smørrebrød) are – and how healthy! Just think! Half the carbs (one slice of bread, not two) and the option of lots of clean, fresh, tasty toppings.

When we dined with a friend at Gourmet Viking recently, that’s what was brought to us – a pine lazy susan topped with lettuce leaves holding a sampler of the smørrebrød toppings – hardboiled egg, thinly sliced ham and beef, slices of a frittata-style omelette, rollmops, all to be assembled as we liked on good thin slices of rye bread.

Think, northern-style antipasto.

There is a main course menu too (hearty Danish pork sausages, frikadellar meat balls, and the like) but this was a casual meal, so the open sandwiches were all we needed – followed, that is, by a popular Scandinavian dessert of stewed apples layered with buttery toasted breadcrumbs and topped with cream.

Gourmet Viking is a small unassuming space, just around the corner from Newtown’s King Street. The walls have repro-Viking shields, and pictures of Scandinavian sporting stars, the tables and chairs are chunky, and the napkins are massive and fun - printed with a Viking head and helmet.

So next time we are in the area and want a quick refreshing meal we might just bypass the Thai and Indian and Lebanese places that jostle for attention in King Street and try some more things on Ulrik the Viking’s menu.

After all, the parking is much better in Enmore Road too!

Gourmet Viking, 33 Enmore Rd, Newtown, 02 9557 8999.

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