We travelled from Gijón, Spain, to Copenhagen looking for memorable gastronomic experiences, and Jordnær turned out to be not just one of the highlights of our trip, but one of the finest dining experiences of our lives.
The quality of the produce is extraordinary. The hamachi with ponzu and wasabi was beautifully precise and balanced; the turbot with foie gras and Banyuls was rich, elegant and unforgettable. And then there was the lobster, appearing in several remarkable interpretations throughout the menu, each completely different from the last. The Kaluga and Baerii caviars were used with remarkable restraint and intelligence, enhancing rather than overpowering the exceptional seafood. King crab, langoustine, scallops, Gillardeau oyster, bluefin tuna… an incredible celebration of the sea.
The wines also deserve a special mention. We particularly enjoyed Stokkebye FRANK 2024, a fascinating Danish Solaris with freshness and character; Rotsbank, deep, mineral and elegant; and a magnificent Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos, whose complexity, sweetness and vibrant acidity provided a wonderful finale.
But what made the evening even more special was the extraordinary warmth and kindness of the entire team. Service at this level can sometimes feel formal or distant; here it was exactly the opposite: incredibly professional, but also genuine, warm and human. As Spaniards, it was particularly gratifying to discover team members from Ecuador, Peru and Spain and to be able to share part of the experience in our mother tongue. We equally loved our conversations with the rest of the international team, everyone contributed to making us feel genuinely welcome.
A particularly memorable moment was being able to visit the kitchen and meet the chef. Seeing where all this extraordinary work happens was a privilege, and our little daughter was absolutely delighted. The way the team treated her throughout the experience made an already exceptional evening even more meaningful for us as a family.
And Jordnær goes far beyond flavour. As an artistic photographer, it was impossible for me not to attach some photographs of the small works of art that arrived at our table disguised as food. The attention to colour, shape, texture and composition is extraordinary. Some dishes almost make you hesitate before touching them and then somehow taste even better than they look.
Jordnær is a rare combination of exceptional ingredients, extraordinary technique, beautiful wines, artistic presentation and, above all, wonderful people. We came fsearching for great gastronomy; we leave Copenhagen with a memory our family will carry with us for a very long time.
