Schön! alive 4 | a taste of home

Immersed in the fjord.
Fjordenhus, the first building by Olafur Eliasson and Sebastian Behmann with
Studio Olafur Eliasson, rises straight from the water in Vejle, Denmark.
Its interiors shaping the world of LYST within.
photography. Anders Sune Berg © 2018 Olafur Eliasson
client. Kirk Kapital

Rising from the water like a modern-day fortress, Fjordenhus defies the common concept of an office building – so much so that it’s officially registered as a work of art. Situated in the town of Vejle, in an area known as ‘The Heart of Jutland’, the structure was designed by Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson and his partner, German architect Sebastian Behmann. It was commissioned by the late Morten Kirk Johansen and his brothers Anders and Casper as the headquarters for their company Kirk Capital, but it’s not just a place where people sit in front of computer screens. It’s also home to LYST – the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Vejle and one of only two in the region.

The Kirk Johansens are related to the family behind LEGO®, and this goes a long way to explaining Fjordenhus’s innovative design, especially its creative use of a ubiquitous building material. The pattern of bricklaying was planned using an algorithm so that no square metre is the same. The bricks are blue and green to represent the sky and water, respectively, and silver to reflect the light. In fact, every aspect of the building reflects its environment and, especially, the natural elements. There are even sculptures below the surface of the water.

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Daniel McBurnie.
Executive Head Chef at LYST
restaurantlyst.com
Shoulder to shoulder.
At the Circle Bar, chefs and sommeliers serve from the centre,
turning strangers into companions for the evening.

Grilled Mussels on toast with fermented chili.

words. Huma Humayun
images. Courtesy of LYST

Nothing brings people together more than food. Here is Schön! alive’s selection for a feast worth sharing.

Whether it’s a large, hearty dish for all to tuck into, a multitude of small plates to pass around, or something bite-sized to help yourself to, sharing a table, and the bounty on it, has bonded people across cultures for countless generations. These moments mark celebration, forge friendship, spark romance, provide comfort or solace and make memories. In this edition of The Menu, we bring you recipes by five accomplished chefs from around the world – recipes that are meant to be shared and savoured together.

Wesli Jacobs of Cape Grace in Cape Town and Vincent Maillard of Lily of the Valley on the Côte d’Azur bring us fresh flavours of the sea, with plates perfect for an al fresco gathering. Massimiliano Volonterio of Castello di Vicarello celebrates the Tuscan tomato with a risotto to feed family and friends. For Chef Tony Ye – aka ‘The Dumpling Master’ – of Upper House Shanghai, soup dumplings represent more than a local delicacy: he believes there’s no other dish that tells the story of Shanghai’s diversity and global influences in quite the same way. And, finally, Gaetan Biesuz from Raffles Bali introduces us to Rijsttafel, a Dutch-Indonesian feast that can consist of as many as 40 small plates: but don’t worry, here he highlights three for you to sample and share. Please pass them around!

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A feast worth sharing.
The terrace at Vista, Lily of the Valley, La Croix Valmer,
where the menu celebrates the flavours of the sea.

Xiaolongbao with Spanish Iberian ham (Chef Tony’s soup dumplings).
Sui Tang Li Restaurant, Upper House Shanghai

Three-Tomato Risotto with basil gel
La Terrazza, Castello di Vicarello, Tuscany

Rijsttafel: Sate Ayam, Udang Bakar, Kolak Pisang.
Rumari, Raffles Bali, Jimbaran

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edit. Huma Humayun
images. Courtesy of Perowne International

Nestled in Ibiza’s Old Town is Café Pereyra, a theatrical treasure with a tasteful menu. Located in Pereyra theatre, its menu was crafted by chef Juan Alcaide, the co-founder of Madrid’s Umiko restaurant. As a result, Café Pereyra has an interesting blend of Spanish familiarity with East Asian-inspired experimentation and its presentation is just as much of a spectacle as the renovated theatre it sits within. Schön! tried the dinner menu which was filled with umami flavours and sumptuous textures.

Alongside the delicious food, the cocktail menu is a particular standout, blending sweet and sour with fruity notes. There was not one drink on offer that we didn’t enjoy. For dessert, we were served a sweet egg to crack open and share. A concept that leans into the community ethos of Café Pereyra. There is something for everyone whether at the bar, an evening of dining or a satiating lunch.

In pursuit of rewriting the typical Ibiza dining experience of high prices and exclusivity, Café Pereyra aims to be the go-to for locals and visitors alike, so they offer reasonable pricing for a very considered menu. Tapping into the building’s creative roots, the venue also offers live music performances, flamenco and DJ sets, channeling the vivacious spirit of the island with all the warmth of Mediterranean cuisine. 

photography. Victoria Gee
words. Shama Nasinde