Rasmus Munk, a humble chef who some say looks like Ed Sheeran, or perhaps it’s the other way around—depending on who you ask, be it a pop nerd or a foodie.
Alchemist was a secret birthday gift from my wife. I had no clue when I was standing outside the massive bronze doors with magical locks. Lately, I have not had the patience to sit and eat for hours. When I realized, three minutes after the doors had opened, that it was Alchemist, I started to panic a bit. Before, when we had discussed visiting Alchemist, I had said no because they serve 40+ dishes and something about holistic cuisine. It sounded like Hell’s Kitchen to me.
But it turned out to be something that we had never experienced before. It was just mind-blowing, and it took days with a smile on our faces to comprehend. From the violinist to snacks beside their experimental kitchen, the wine cellar, the dome, the pink room, and then ending up with coffee and a Calvados under the most beautiful golden lamps hanging from the ceiling—they looked like they cost more than a Tesla (and they probably do). Even the elevator down to the waiting car was a ride to remember.
Burnout Chicken
We had to go back, and the second time, they delivered the same smiles on our faces. Getting a table here is almost impossible, and we could only do so thanks to my wife’s magic fingers. When they release the tables ahead, it takes only a couple of seconds, and poof—they’re gone. To eat here once is a privilege; twice makes you a hardcore foodie.
Lobster Claw
We received a phone invitation. At first, I declined because we had just visited Alchemist, and I was parallelly counting the money in my head. Then the person told me they would cover everything, including the stay and transportation. I quickly changed my mind as fast as they change a tire in Formula 1.
A couple of days later, we checked into D’Angleterre. The invitation was the event of the year: ‘Seeing Krug, Hearing Krug’ with music from the late Ryuichi Sakamoto and a following dinner at Alchemist, accompanied by Rasmus Munk’s fabulous food. The meal was exclusively paired with Krug Clos du Mesnil 2008, Krug 2008, and Grand Cuvée 164ème Edition.
Drinking free-flowing Krug the whole afternoon and evening requires a stomach with steel. In the end, all we wanted was a glass of red/white, or even a glass of Coca-Cola. (Sorry, Krug, don’t ban us for life now.) Luckily for us, we had Omeprazole with us…
The experience at Alchemist is nothing short of culinary wizardry, enchanting your taste buds and leaving your mind delightfully twisted.
The Eye
3
Dinner
Outstanding
2-star
Impressing
Yes
Yes
