Tabélog event at Skál on the Lower East Side

Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!
image of Skál on the Lower East Side, NYC, New York

Skál, what a strange word, except if you speak old norse where it means "cheers". It also means little bowl, representing the concept of small dishes to share that compose the menu and are even present in the decor.
image of bowls at Skál on the Lower East Side, NYC, New York

Skál is where Tabélog organized a meet and greet event for the bloggers who are actively participating in the content of the site. I think it is great as it brings food lovers together. It was also the occasion for their CEO, Kenta, to announce the expansion of the site to other states like California (congrats!!!). There, I had a nice evening talking with Lord of the Fork, Cutie Patroller, The Restaurant Fairy, Lea_K and Johnny Prime. There, food was more photographed than people and they conveniently set all the dishes in an area so we could take our time to take a pic. 
image of food at Skál on the Lower East Side, NYC, New York


So, Skál is a Scandinavian restaurant located in the limit of Chinatown, where Chef Ben Spiegel (who worked at Noma in Copenhagen) crafted an original menu using products locally sourced. 

I also spoke with one of the owners, Christophe, a fellow Frenchman, who talked to me, with passion, about the restaurant and their future projects to expand it. I got a tour of the facility and could not miss the large selection of wines in the basement. They propose 27 wines from 12 different countries that they source at small producers all around the world, as well as beers from Iceland that are not that easy to find in the city. 

image of raven at Skál on the Lower East Side, NYC, New York

It is a small place with an interesting decor considering the raven (not to mistake for a crow) that sits on top of the bar. It is not that they are fans of Game Of Thrones, but because the raven is the emblem of Iceland. 

Food wise, we got a nice sampling of their menu. Here is what they served us:


Well fleet oysters served with a versus and chamomile:
image of oysters at Skál on the Lower East Side, NYC, New York

image of oysters at Skál on the Lower East Side, NYC, New York

Pickles (seasonal vegetables in their own brine):
image of pickles at Skál on the Lower East Side, NYC, New York

Long Island duck wings with mussels and red seaweed:
image of duck at Skál on the Lower East Side, NYC, New York

Heirloom carrots prepared with burnt honey, buttermilk and dill:
image of carrots at Skál on the Lower East Side, NYC, New York

Beef tartare served with fermented ramps, little neck clams and Sorrel:
image of beef tartare at Skál on the Lower East Side, NYC, New York

Salt cod croquettes with a horseradish remoulade:
image of cod croquette at Skál on the Lower East Side, NYC, New York

Smoked mackerel served in an onion with whey and foie gras:
image of smoked mackerel and foie gras at Skál on the Lower East Side, NYC, New York

Scandinavian donut with vanilla cream:
image of scandinavian donut at Skál on the Lower East Side, NYC, New York

This was a very exquisite sampling, some of the dishes being truly original. I wonder if the duck / seaweed and mackerel / foie gras dishes were not a take on surf and turf! If it was: chapeau. If it wasn't: chapeau. 

After this event, I am looking forward to go back to Skál. 

Thanks to Tabélog and Skál for this wonderful evening!

Enjoy (I did)!

Skal on Urbanspoon

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Restaurant Information

* Restaurant Name
Skál
* Overall
★★★☆☆
* Neighborhood / Cuisine
Chinatown / Scandinavian
* Street Address
37 Canal St., New York, NY 10002
* Phone
(212) 777-7518