mie

hot spot of the norwegian coffee scene this weekend was bergen - west coast. i went to bergen last night to attend the one year anniversary party of kaffemisjonen ("coffee mission"). one year after the original mission opened, they are now 4 coffee shops known under various names - misjonen, edvard, boksen and bryggen. since my stop over was so quick, i have to admit i spent sunday afternoon cupping at the first store and did not see any of the other hot spots in day light. well, just another reason for going back as soon as possible.

besides coffee, i also got the chance to check out supposedly norway's first gastro pub - amongst the bergen crew, this international trend of gastronomy is conquering down town bergen right now. i have to admit the single most impressive thing about the place was the wine list and in addition, a framed chef's jacket with metallica autographs. they went there this summer for pizza. i had coalfish with leek, potatoes and bacon. my fish was delicious and maybe even perfect, but as i was eating my way through the dish i became more and more impatient about the bacon part. in my opinion, everything that's a gastronomical success should contain at least some bacon. cold potatoes did not help in direction of placing "jacobs" - the first gastro pub of norway - on my "to-do" list for your next visit in bergen. after asking about the bacon and potatoes, i had one bowl of panchetta and hot mashed potatoes, but that was after finishing the fish. it's like that when you go to gastro pubs. rough.

as usual, being around the kaffemisjonen staff was lots of fun. they are just about the youngest, most knowledgeable and ass kicking team of coffee people in the country. the party was great - and KAFFAs roaster mr b had apparently a fan club of his own on the west coast. after nagging about coffee all night we finally had a midnight cup of filter brewed panama esmeralda geisha lot # 8. after substantial amounts of nv champagne it was a perfect match!