RUTH’S: MODERN EUROPEAN FARE IN THE HEART OF MALMÖ, SWEDEN
The Cost -$26 per person
The Atmosphere – Ruth’s cozy, comfortable interior is just what you want out of a restaurant that stays open throughout the entire day and features an all-day coffee bar. Located in the heart of Malmö right next to MJ’s and a host of other eateries, Ruth’s is a great option for a meal with friends or family, a casual date, or a meal alone. The vibe is a casual one and so there is no need to dress up to go out for dinner. Reservations are taken and are recommended for peak hours of the dinner seating.
With a bakery and some deli-like offerings in the front of the restaurant in addition to a full kitchen, Ruth’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring different menus for each meal. The restaurant opened in the spring of 2021 and has been a favorite of locals ever since. It has also been recognized on the international scene with Michelin Guide quickly awarding it a Bib Gourmand, an award given to restaurants with great food for a price less than about $45 for a three-course meal. While the menu does feature some dishes with local ingredients, Ruth’s menu is more modern European and Mediterranean than Nordic.
The Order – Burrata, White Peach Salad, Salsiccia Pizza, and Strawberry Semifreddo.
The Fantastic – We’re going to do something unconventional in the dining world – start with dessert. The Strawberry Semifreddo was the best dish of the evening and was an amazing way to end the meal. The very nicely presented bowl of strawberry-flavored semifreddo, an Italian frozen dessert that is similar to ice cream but is more like a frozen mousse, was topped with pistachios and fresh strawberries. Strawberries are mixed with meringue to create the semifreddo which has a smooth and creamy texture and a creamy strawberry flavor. The pistachio nuts on top were a great addition as they brought a crunch and an earthy flavor that broadened the dessert’s flavor profile. It was truly a delight.
The Great – Now reversing course (no pun intended) and going back to the beginning of the meal, the Burrata was the second-best dish of the dinner. Another very nicely presented dish, the average-sized portion of burrata came accompanied by seven wood-roasted cherries and had some bits of very aromatic fennel pollen on top. The cherries were the real highlight of this dish as they were soft and sweet, and their juice mixed in with the oil on the perimeter of the inside ring of the plate to create a unique and lovely flavorful dip for the burrata.
The other dish that earned our Great rating is the other appetizer ordered, the White Peach Salad. The salad came with a host of fresh ingredients like white peach slices, arugula, pecorino cheese shavings, nuts, dates, and an olive oil dressing. The dates were the standout ingredient of this dish, but it really contained a nice mix of sweet and earthy flavors to go along with the arugula and cheese.
The Good – The only entrée that was ordered was the Salsiccia (Italian sausage) Pizza. The wood-fired pizza was nicely done, but it was a bit simple despite a menu description (salsiccia, tomato, mozzarella, cavolo nero, chili & parmesan) that made it seem pretty exciting. There was no spiciness to the pizza despite the chili, and the sausage, which came in small crumble-like pieces, wasn’t flavorful enough. Despite that, the pizza was still good as the dough, tomato sauce, and cheese provided a solid and tasty base that would have been good no matter the toppings.
The Verdict – Overall, the meal at Ruth’s was excellent. It was a very pleasant dining experience with some great food, all at a very reasonable price. Whether you decide to sit in the restaurant’s large outdoor courtyard or inside in the homey dining area, Ruth’s is a restaurant that you should plan to visit on your trip to Malmö.