Matbaren restaurant at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm is a relaxed Michelin starred dining experience by chef Mathias Dahlgren. As always lets get into the details, my first stop however was the Lydmar hotel bar for a pre-dinner drink.
![Lydmar hotel bar - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030943-1024x682.jpg)
The bar at the 5 star Lydmar hotel is in its main restaurant, it has a relaxed and casual atmosphere.
![Lydmar hotel bar - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030944-1024x682.jpg)
The space is open, we sit by the large windows, lots of people enjoying a dinner or a drink.
![Lydmar hotel bar - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030951-1024x682.jpg)
A simple menu, I like the drawn cocktail shaker on the outside.
![Lydmar hotel bar - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030953-682x1024.jpg)
I opted for a very refreshing champagne cocktail, it was full of flavour, looking and tasting great.
![Matbaren restaurant - Mathias Dahlgren - Grand Hotel - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030959-1024x682.jpg)
Moving onto Matbaren we are seated on the high tables in the restaurant, they seemed to have a selection of different seating styles, including bar seats, high seats, red seats on regular tables and these rather grand set of 4 white seats.
![Matbaren restaurant - Mathias Dahlgren - Grand Hotel - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030960-1024x682.jpg)
The restaurant has a central bar area which is the main focus, guests are able to sit around the open bar which gives a view of the open kitchen behind.
![Matbaren restaurant - Mathias Dahlgren - Grand Hotel - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030958-1024x682.jpg)
On the table you are presented with a simple tray with a menu and a package. The menu contains medium sized dishes that can either be shared or enjoyed yourself. It is recommend you get 3-4 dishes including a dessert.
![Matbaren restaurant - Mathias Dahlgren - Grand Hotel - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030961-1024x682.jpg)
Inside the package was a selection of bread crackers, a tasty start to the meal and very Swedish in terms of bread style.
![Matbaren restaurant - Mathias Dahlgren - Grand Hotel - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030963-1024x682.jpg)
For my first course I opted for the calamari which came with fish roe, an amazing sauce and some thin potato pieces. An amazing start to the meal, very well presented too.
![Matbaren restaurant - Mathias Dahlgren - Grand Hotel - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030964-1024x682.jpg)
My guest opted for a pork and truffle dish, I don’t think either of us expected so much truffle and the presentation was little weak compared to my first course.
![Matbaren restaurant - Mathias Dahlgren - Grand Hotel - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030967-1024x682.jpg)
For my second course I opted for a beef dish with vegetables and mushrooms, including a very tasty mushroom sauce that really pulled the dish together.
![Matbaren restaurant - Mathias Dahlgren - Grand Hotel - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030965-1024x682.jpg)
My guest had a much better presented fish dish, simple, full of delicate flavour and lots of foam 🙂
![Matbaren restaurant - Mathias Dahlgren - Grand Hotel - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030969-1024x682.jpg)
For dessert I had this amazing chocolate fondant style pudding with a salted caramel ice cream, this I think was the best tasting and presented course.
![Matbaren restaurant - Mathias Dahlgren - Grand Hotel - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030968-1024x682.jpg)
My guests dessert was a rhubarb pudding which was very refreshing and pink, but for me mine was leagues ahead.
The meal was finished off with some petite-fours including small cakes and raspberry covered chocolate.
![Matbaren restaurant - Mathias Dahlgren - Grand Hotel - Stockholm](http://www.retrogymgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/L1030970-1024x682.jpg)
To conclude dinner at Matbaren doesn’t disappoint, this was my second visit and I really enjoyed it. The service was good and the food tasted excellent, presentation of certain dishes was weaker than others however I highly recommend a visit. Dinner including one bottle of wine and three dishes each comes to around £200.