If you are in Oslo on a Sunday afternoon, like Jazz music and want a gourmet adventure, you should go to the Grand Hotel, built in 1874. We where there with my MIL last Sunday and since this will be my last post from her stay this time, your all welcome to join us.
Lets start with the Hotel: An institution in the Norwegian capital for over a century, the Grand Hotel remains the city’s top address for its elegantly furnished guest rooms, its splendid location and complete range of services, like the choice of three fine restaurants, two bars and 18 elegant function rooms. The Grand’s splendid marble lobby, replete with ornate chandeliers and bas-relief Grecian sculpture, sets the tone for what was once Ibsen’s favorite hotel (read my story of our National writer here!).
This hotel is one of the oldest and most exclusive establishments in Oslo. When pop stars visit the city, they wave at their fans from the hotel balcony (or hide behind their bodyguards in the lobby). Built in 1874, the hotel has catered to celebrities for over a century. The stone-walled hotel with its mansard gables and copper tower has been an integral part of Oslo life since 1874. Famous guests have included Edvard Munch, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, Charlie Chaplin, Henry Ford, and of course Henrik Ibsen. He was a regular visitor to the hotel restaurant, the Grand Café.
The Grand Café, filled with plush leather seats and modern artwork, serves Scandinavian dishes with Mediterranean touches. Gourmet French and Scandinavian cuisine is on the menu at the Julius Fritzner restaurant. So let’s have our JazzBrunch:
Like I said to my MIL the day before: You don’t eat a heavy breakfast before you go to Grand Café! Here is a glimpse of their buffet or smoregardsboard if you like:
I like to approach these kind of delicacies in a systematic way and to make it short and well documented (all pics with My Nokia mobile phone – click to enlarge to enjoy!)
Second serving (to the right): Lever pate, roast beef, more salmon pate, pepper, mushroom, pepper and some creamy salad.
Fourth: Select cheeses from around the world and crackers.
Look at the small black profile pic on top of the plates edge: It’s Henrik Ibsen!
After such a great brunch you might need a rest or a room for the night? Taking you to Grand Hotel and not mention The Deluxe rooms on the top floor would be a disgrace. They have retained the dimensions and mouldings of yore. The ‘ladies’ floor’ is a must see, with 17 rooms individually redesigned by some of Norway’s top female celebrities. Iram Haa’s room with its bright pillows, illuminated flowers, and paper globes contrasts strongly with the space designed by Maria Bonnevie, who evidently likes horses. Meanwhile, huge pink-and-black headshots stare perpetually in the hallway outside in Warhol-esque fashion. Sit, back, relax and click here to take a look!
Talking about food and while I’m at it: I’ve been tagged a couple of times lately, by Eastcoastlife and Norma. I hope you’ll excuse me for not following all the food meme rules as I have to do it my way, okay 
You’re supposed to list 5 places or restaurant to recommend and of course Grand Café is one of them. Other than that, I like to make my own food so if you’re still hungry, you can check me and my wife’s Sea Food Delight, Rakfisk, Salmon and Lamb in cabbage.
May 28th, 2007 at 1:23 am
Wonderful food, Renny! Wish I was there!
Reply
May 28th, 2007 at 3:28 am
ah it sounds like a really wonderful place for great food and music. so nice you coudl share it with you MIL.
Reply
May 28th, 2007 at 3:43 am
Gee, thanks, Renny! Of course now I’m starving after reading this.
The food looks wonderful, especially the seafood. Looks like you didn’t go away hungry.
Have a great week, Renny and Diane.
Hugs,
Diane
Reply
May 28th, 2007 at 4:38 am
Thank you so much Renny, for doing my meme.
The Grand Hotel sounds awesome! I would love to stay on the Ladies’ floor.
The Napoleon Cake looks delicious.
http://eastcoastlife.blogspot.com/2007/04/5-yum-yum-sup-sup-5-yummy-eatery-tag.html
Reply
May 28th, 2007 at 4:53 am
Oh Wow…that cake….drool…..:)
Reply
May 28th, 2007 at 6:09 am
Once again you made me envious!
What a great brunch! It must feel special to eat there and listen to the Jazz music.
Reply
May 28th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Mmmm… that looks so delicious
!
Reply
May 28th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Ah, I haven’t had breakfast yet and now I’m ready for your smörgåsbord! The Napoleon cake looks divine.
Reply
May 28th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
OMG! That’s such a mouth-watering spread. And different from what you get at a breakfast buffet in the two countries know most: India and the USA. It’s funny, but one of the reasons I really want to visit Northern Europe is (also) for the snow. I want to take my 4-year old daughter to a place with lots of snow!
Reply
May 28th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
The Grand Hotel is now my favourite place. A beautiful time, hearing jazz band and taking a great brunch! The napoleon cake is called here “le mille-feuille”, if I translate: “the thousand leaves”
and in the pictionnary :”mille-feuilles pastry”.It’s one of my favourite cakes!
Reply
May 28th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
What a marvelous looking gourmet spread – thanks for sharing. The cake looks wonderful. A jazz brunch would be wonderful – wish I were there to share it with you all!
Reply
May 28th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Oooh… cake!!
Reply
May 28th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
@Maribeth: Thanks – me too:-)
@Lime: Perfect combination you know!
@DianeJ: I’ve a crush for seafood to you know! Hugs from both of us too.
@Eastcoastlife: I would love to stay in the Ladies’ floor too LoL
Thanks for the link – my post is updated!
@Shionge: Glad you liked it too.
@Sidney: Glad you liked it. You know I love the reports you give from your place too!
@Cosima: and tasted even better:-)
@Fleur de Lisa: woow, you have the Norwegian letters too!
@Shantuanu: Winter, snow and children is a perfect match – hope to see you next winter then!
@Claudie: Thanks for filling in with the original name – Napoleon is after all French you know:-)
@DesertDiva: Would have loved to have you with too – welcome over next Sunday:-)
@Missy: Ooooh…. Missy;-)
Reply
May 28th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Now I’m getting really hungry, every one seem to post food posts today… *lol*
Wonderful post about the Grand
I bet the MIL was sooo pleased with her stay with you!!!!
Reply
May 29th, 2007 at 12:45 am
I will have to add this hotel to my list for our “next” trip to Norway as you are way over on the other coast. I hope to try some equally good food soon in Stavanger, Haugesund, and Bergen. Thanks for sharing your visit
Reply
May 29th, 2007 at 1:08 am
cool blog. thanks for dropping by
Reply
May 29th, 2007 at 4:23 am
I would love this outing! I’m into jazz and dessert and coffee! Sign mr up!
Reply
May 29th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Ibsen – what a wonderful writer
That place looks awfully posh but bring on the cake and Jazz!
Reply
May 29th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Your MIL will never forget that, Renny!
Reply
May 29th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
It kinda looks like the Royal Palace outside doesnt it…
Reply
May 29th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Hello Mr. Terella, how are you doing? It’s been a while since I visited your blog. I always like reading your posts about food
Reply
May 29th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Oh I’ve always wanted to eat there one Sunday. Maybe this summer. Btw, we supply the flowers in that restaurant, and in Grand Hotel, too.
Reply
May 30th, 2007 at 4:04 am
That sounds like such a nice way to spend a day!
And take a look at that food!!!!!!
Reply
May 30th, 2007 at 11:37 am
GREAT FOOD! Great Gorgeous Hotel…Great Great Music…And FABULOUS Rooms! What more could anybody want or need…I think I would need a room…lol! A rich post Renny, and that looks like a Rich Brunch, too!
Reply
May 31st, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Sure You all had a great time at Grand Cafe. It’s such a historical place. You can feel it in the walls. I hope they still can attrack enough younger people so the rich traditions can continue…
You really did visit the top floor with it’s large deck as well? It is such a great place. And heavenly view of downtown Oslo.
Reply
October 16th, 2007 at 9:43 am
[...] – who even had his own table and now has a menu named after him. Your can read all about the place from my post when my MIL was visiting last [...]
December 19th, 2007 at 12:27 am
[...] winter time, I took some more pictures of shopping streets and landmarks in Oslo. The Parliament, Grand Hotel and even Glassmagasinet (the oldest ‘mall’ from the 18th century). I’ve told you before why I [...]
September 26th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
[...] on the opposite end of Karl Johan. Among other things you’ll pass Oslo Cathedral, The parliament, Grand Hotel, The National Theatre and the Old University – houses and architectures from the 16th, 17th and [...]
September 26th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
[...] on the opposite end of Karl Johan. Among other things you’ll pass Oslo Cathedral, The parliament, Grand Hotel, The National Theatre and the Old University – houses and architectures from the 16th, 17th [...]
March 5th, 2010 at 10:54 am
[...] in the Communist Belene Prison Camp in Bulgaria, witnesses the death of his friend and protectorJazzBrunch at Grand Caf© in OsloFood, Habits, Travel Norway Add comments. If you are in Oslo on a Sunday afternoon, like … [...]