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Only a small number of restaurants ever make it to a milestone as large as a 30th anniversary, and that number gets even smaller when looking at a city like New York.
This week, the Aquavit restaurant in NYC celebrated their 30th Anniversary with a luxurious dinner prepared by chef, Emma Bengtsson.
The original Aquavit opened on West 54th in 1987 before relocating to its current location on 55th Street in 2005. Under chef Bengtsson the menu has undergone a contemporary transformation that remains rooted in the distinct flavours and style associated with Nordic cuisine, especially the traditions and flavours of Sweden.
Left: Turbot and sunchoke. Right: Scallop crudo and blood orange.
Left: Swedish Sliders. Right: Corn Summer.
Left: Huckleberry Fall. Right: Gravlax Fall.
Many dishes on Aquavit's menu have undergone years of evolution and in 2015 this effort was rewarded when the restaurant received its second star in the Michelin guide.
Below you can see the evolution of Arctic Circle (top left): a dish of goat's cheese parfait with passion fruit and blueberry sorbet that's undergone a steady development under Bengtsson's guidance.
The anniversary dinner saw the chef riff on many of the restaurant's original classics, such as Foie Gras Ganache, Gravlax with Howmästar Sauce, and Turbot with Horseradish.
Left: Venison. Right: Foie Gras Ganache.
Left: Turbot. Right: Lobster Roll.
Aquavit has been a pioneer in the New York dining scene for 30 years, a fascinating achievement and something quite surprising when you consider how Nordic cuisine is still pitched and presented as new.
