IKEA Restaurant Review

4/10

IKEA Restaurant Review

IKEA South Norway Branch
14 January 2012

A day of browsing and shopping leads to hunger and thirst, which is why IKEA cleverly placed a restaurant in their shop; semi-cheap food with a semi-Swedish theme in a cafeteria style of service. As such one can't hold too high standards, but after my meal I felt I should report my experience.

As can be expected on a Saturday in the middle of the day, it was crowded and noisy with a long line.

I ordered the pasta and meatballs with garlic bread and a small bag of crisps on the side, and soda pop to drink. The staff was slightly disoriented and surly in their duties, slamming cabinet doors and treating plates with more force than necessary.

In the middle of the din of more than a hundred fellow shoppers, I attempted to enjoy my meal. This was not to be.

The pasta was rubbery and bland, possibly as a result of being nearly done and kept in asteam heated pan for a while.

The meatballs had a good texture, but the taste left a lot to be desired. I've tasted better meatballs from a can.

The garlic bread would have been excellent if not for being wafer thin and cold. It is possible that the temperature was due to its thickness, but I suspect the faulty lid on the warming pan. As I lifted the lid the entire thing fell off despite being supposedly attached to the pan. The lack of a seal would let out the heat.

The bag of salted crisps had the perfect hardness and didn't break into sharp pieces that cut up the gums, which is a good thing. The only thing that lacked, and in my opinion it is very important in salted crisps; salt. The popcorn I had not much later that day had more salt.

The only thing that I could find no fault or distaste with was the soda pop, which had free refills.

There was ample parking, and they served free popcorn at the exit due to a circus theme.

Enjoy your meal.

29 December 2012

Meatballs and potatoes in a creamy sauce.

The meatballs were only slightly warm, though the taste had improved since my last visit.

The potatoes were boiled to pieces and were stone cold.

In all, a sub par meal.