Madam Blå: Danish delights.

                           

Anyone who knows me well is probably aware of my love of food from different countries. I have bored many of my close friends with tales of an incredible Indonesian rice dish I ate in Amsterdam and or an amazing apricot-laden kebab at an delicious Afghan restaurant in Kilburn. Simply put, it makes me happy. So I was very keen to try out Madam Blå, the Scandinavian cafe in Nantes that my Swedish friend suggested.

I've never really tried that much Scandinavian cuisine, having always associated it with smoked fish, which is more my Dad's kind of thing. Madam Bla, a little cafe in the centre of Nantes, certainly would suit his tastes- it serves big salads of herrings, salmon and shrimp. However, there is of course much more to the food from this part of the world. The Danish Smørrebrød, made on dense, dark rye bread, can be topped with anything from salami with fried onions to meatballs. Or herring, of course, if that's your kind of thing.

On this occasion I tried out something sweeter: the famous Swedish dessert, Kanelboller. It's essentially a cross between a Danish pastry and a cinnamon bun and is absolutely delicious:

The whole atmosphere in the cafe was lovely, from the Danish-French owner who referred to everyone as 'mon ange' to the ornate handwritten menus. They also host creative writing classes, sewing groups and art exhibitions in the space. Anyone passing through Nantes who is craving a meatball or two should head there immediately.

Madam Blå
8 rue Armand Brossard
44000 Nantes
www.madambla.com