Trine had spotted Goldfinch on Instagram, and even though the only available table was at 10:30 PM, there was no discussion. That was where we were going to eat.
The restaurant is tucked away in a courtyard, and when you step inside, you’re met with dim lighting and a relaxed, lounge like atmosphere. We had a great table overlooking the bar, where the final touches were added to the dishes before they were sent out. The menu leans heavily toward small plates and dishes meant for sharing, with plenty of tempting options.
This is what we ordered:
Cold Cucumbers – Garlic, Black vinegar. Tasted like an underwhelming version of the cucumber salad you get at Din Tai Fung. To me, what makes Chinese (and Taiwanese) cucumber salads so delicious, is the sesame oil, and that element was missing here.
Cold Poached Oysters with ginger vinaigrette were delicious. The ginger vinaigrette was spot on. Could have eaten 20 of those.
The Char Siu bao came in a steamed version. They were perfectly fine, but once you’ve had the baked ones at Tim Ho Wan, you know the bar can be set higher.
The crispy chicken and lobster dumplings were tasty and ended up being Trine’s favorite dish of the night.
Pork wontons with black vinegar, chili oil, and cilantro were good, but once again, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’ve had more memorable versions elsewhere, with Din Tai Fung coming to mind.
Scallop toast with sesame really stood out. I’ve had shrimp toast before, but never with scallops, and it worked beautifully. Crisp, well balanced, and genuinely surprising. This was easily my favorite dish.
Trine had a cocktail and I went for a mocktail. I’ve forgotten both names and flavor details, but they paired well with the food.
The Hong Kong French Toast at Goldfinch is supposed to be amazing, but by then it was late, and both of us were more interested in getting home to bed than ordering dessert. That will have to wait for another visit.
Goldfinch is a really cozy spot with a vibe that’s perfect for a night out. The food tastes very good, but I probably expected a bit more. I left feeling like we’d had solid, well executed dishes, but also with the sense that I’ve tasted stronger versions of most of them elsewhere. That said, Goldfinch is a good option in Copenhagen, especially if atmosphere and party vibe matter just as much as what’s on the plate.
Goldfinch, Kongens Nytorv 8, st tv, 1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark
