Iris: Northern cuisine amidst a fjord
One of the hints to check the freshness of fish is to look at its eyes. In Western Norway, there is a unique restaurant inside the Salmon Eye installation, which resembles a huge fish eye and is located right in the middle of the Hardanger Fjord. The Michelin-starred establishment is called Iris and can only be accessed by water.
Dinner at Iris is literally a journey. It begins with a boat ride from the picturesque town of Roosendaal, with a stop for a welcome snack at Chef Anika Madsen's private boat house on Snilstveitøy Island. Guests disembark on the jetty of the Salmon Eye art installation for a guided tour of the building and a ‘multi-sensory experience’, at the end of which they are ushered into the dining room to begin their meal. The stunning views of the fjord and surrounding mountain peaks provide a dramatic backdrop. At the end of the evening, guests are brought back to Roosendaal by boat.
Danish chef Anika Madsen takes her inspiration and sources ingredients from the ocean and in the mountains of Norway. The restaurant's unique location gives her truly unlimited access to a variety of fresh seafood undreamed of by other cooks. The wild herbs, roots and other unusual local ingredients that Anika picks in the harsh Norwegian nature allow her to push the boundaries of gastronomy.
‘If I discover a new and intriguing ingredient, I'm not afraid to use it,’ says the chef. — But to convince people to love it, it has to be truly delicious. I will never compromise on flavour.'
Every dish in the 18-course set is unique in taste and sensation. However, it is impossible to find the menu either on the website or in the Michelin Guide. The restaurant honestly warns that allergy sufferers and those on a diet may not be able to enjoy the dishes, and substitutions may be problematic. Weather permitting, one of the dishes will be cooked over an open fire and served outside so you can enjoy the fresh fjord air.
