Every Summer we visit with my partner Mr V’s family in Norway on the south coast called Kristiansand. It’s a real gem of a place – lakes, mountains, beaches, forest and a really great place for a holiday. Armed with a glowing recommendation from my sister-in-law Cathrine we decided to check out ‘Fabrikken Artisan Bakverk’ (started only a few months previously by an Icelandic couple) in Vennesla (about half an hour from Kristiansand). As we drove into a very unsuspecting place for a Cafe (almost like an industrial estate that’s seems to be undergoing a regeneration) the Cafe was housed in a big old building. From the time you climb the 3 steps at the front of the building (steps look like they’re made from reclaimed sleepers/big chunks of wood from another era) you just know that attention has been paid to the smallest detail and my mantra is ‘it’s all in the detail’ so I knew it was going to be good. Enter into a space that has big high ceilings and a rustic, industrial feel to it. I was all over it. This was my kind of place. The red brick walls, the polished concrete floors, the old fashioned square panelled windows where you can lend a glimpse into the bakery where all sorts of magical things were happening.
Then the food came. We had mexican chicken soup and pizza. Again the attention to detail was apparent with the food as the bowl of soup arrived on a rustic chopping board and was topped with sour cream, cheese and a sprinkling of tacos together with an additional serving of a bowl of tacos and some light, rustic brown loaf. This was a hearty, warm dish that left me wanting more – absolutely delicious. After of course there had to be room left for a latte & a danish. The coffee was strong and punchy and I’ve never had a danish quite like this. It was thick layers of light, fluffy pastry (deeeevine). Could have eaten another 10 of those but i had to think of the waistline.
Cafe Interior
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