Due to the pandemic Oslo restaurateur Nevzat Arikan has sold one of his restaurants, Olympen, to Fru Haugans Holding AS. Several changes are expected in both the main restaurant and the Pigalle bar when they reopen later this autumn. According to restaurant-manager Tora Eriksson, the summer terrace on the first floor retains its current charm. We should be happy about that, because it is a pearl in the Oslo Grønland district. Read more about the terrace with a Mediterranean atmosphere in downtown Oslo.
The Olympn Restaurant, Pigalle Bar and the summer terrace is the perfect spot for a new challenge for Fru Haugans Holding AS, the owner of Fru Haugans Hotel in Mosjøen. The hotel is the oldest in Northern Norway with a history dating back to 1794.
“The work that Arikan has put into the restaurant is formidable. We will build on this and lift the restaurant building to new heights,” says fifth generation owner and hotel manager, Ellen Løvold Strand.
So, what is actually Pigalle Summer Terrace all about?
We claim it’s a summer terrace with a Mediterranean atmosphere located at the heart of Grønland, offering a small but delicate menu. The terrace is the place where simple ingredients provide guests with Mediterranean authenticity and flavor.
To start with, we chilled out with a bottle of Floralba prosecco, followed by a delicious crisp asparagus with cajole sauce, roasted almonds and fresh salad sprinkled with parmesan.
Terrace With An Mediterranean Atmosphere In Downtown Oslo, contiunue reading
For main-dishes, we chose a real Norwegian summer dish, mackerel with crispy cabbage and new potatoes and perfect steamed mussels in a broth made with white wine, garlic, and shallots. We were suggested a bottle of Porta del Vento from Sicily for accompaniment, an excellent choice for a beautiful summer day in Oslo.
Parallel to delicious Mediterranean and Norwegian food, the kitchen and cozy, yet modern atmosphere, are truly unique aspects of the Olympen restaurant house. The terrace is, definitely, an intimate place with plenty of setting possibilities: from the tables by the counters to the ones by the fountain, there is room for everyone.
Historic house
The building in Grønlandsleiret 15 was built by Schous Bryggeri in 1892, but was not converted into a restaurant until 1904. In 1927, architect Lars Backer carried out a major renovation of the building. The facade was changed and the building was expanded, including a roof terrace with the possibility of dining.
In the years 1961-63, Olympen was refurbished twice. The restaurant was first decorated as “the French cave of the East Side”, but this did not appeal to the public and Olympen returned to its original expression.
In October 2006, the doors closed for another renovation, and opened just over a year later to great public success. The atmosphere was the same continental style Olympen (Lompa, in the vernacular) has always had: dark wood, brass details and large chandeliers to match the paintings with motifs from Grønland and the surrounding area.
All year fine dining and entertainment at Olympen
Just like Oslo, Olympen has over the years developed and gone through many phases, but never lost its identity or its belonging to the local community. “We will preserve the traditions at the same time as we will develop the restaurant house in harmony with current trends. We have appointed a chef from Paris for the Olympen restaurant, and the Pigalle Bar & Dancing will open as soon as the pandemic is more or less behind us” says manager Christian Steinsholm.
The Pigalle summer terrace is a hidden pearl in Oslo downtown. It might be a little hard to find, so look for the sign “Velkommen ut” (Welcome out) and follow the stairway up to the first floor.
The Pigalle Terrace is open through August.
Terrace With A Mediterranean Atmosphere In Downtown Oslo, written by Tor Kjolberg
All photos © Tor Kjolberg / Daily Scandinavian