Travel Russia Today

On a recent trip to Copenhagen I had the opportunity (and the great pleasure) to visit Nimb. Nimb is more than just a hotel - it is a concept. Having heard of this new “creation” I was actually quite surprised when we walked up to a double glass door that leads directly from the sidewalk into a small, quietly elegant reception area. There is no grand portico, driveway or even an area to pull into and the Nimb, from the street, appears to have little to draw you in.

Once inside all this changes. The reception area is simply a bellman’s like desk to one side and a huge arrangement of absolutely gorgeous flowers on a glass table in the middle of the floor.

Nimb is rather like a large estate manor, with the feel of a home and gourmands are well catered for. Apart from the Nimb Restaurant there is a Vinotek – a brickwork, basement level, wine cellar that allows guests to sit at long wooden tables and sample even the best of vintage wines by the glass accompanied by light snacks and cheeses.

Nimb also features a deli where they sell products from their own dairy. But for me the biggest attraction in the deli was the Summerbird Chocolates. I was treated to one of these on a welcome plate of chocolates and when I put that chocolate in my mouth I thought I had gone to heaven. They don’t come cheap and the best are sold the old fashioned way – individually and boxed on the spot. This means they wouldn’t last the eight days before my return to the United States and therefore my friends and colleagues only have my word for it but trust me, these chocolates are simply divine!

Opening onto the street they also have their own hot-dog stand (the surprises never end) where they serve gourmet hand-made sausages on freshly baked bread. This is known as The Grill since, after all, it is so much more than a hot dog stand but is simple and very affordable. Accompany this with the organic chocolate milk produced in the dairy – what a treat!

But the gourmet coup de grace is Restaurant Herman where executive chef Thomas Herman (a native Dane) casts his spell over his pots and ovens and creates some of the most wonderful dishes ever to grace a plate. As per the hotel, his philosophy is that eating should be a recollection whereby “everything we eat should remind us of something or someone and allows us to stay connected to the world”. With Thomas in the kitchen, guests’ recollection goes into overdrive!

When the owners closed the property and decided on a refurbishment from head to toe they wanted to achieve one look – Quality – and they have succeeded in a big way. Even if you don’t stay here you should visit one of the restaurants. Restaurant Herman doesn’t come cheap and a full quality gourmet experience will run you about $400.00 per person. Lesser options are possible and Restaurant Nimb has an ever-changing menu that is quite affordable. At the Vinotek you can sip on a glass of wine and imagine you are in a winery in France but whatever you do, don’t miss out on one of those chocolates in the deli – I guarantee you won’t be able to stop at just one.