Moomin Goes on Holiday Anette Krogstad Ceramics at Pjoltergeist

The Moomin plates and bowls was probably the thing Pjoltergeist got the most press about when they opened. Some loved it while others hated it. I was definitely in the first category, while my foodie friend Linn, on the other hand, could not stand the thought of eating from children’s plates. Whether you liked it or not, at least it brought something new to the table. Apparently, the factory that produced the plates were very happy that finally, someone besides kindergartens ordered the products they made. Well, after many years of service Moomin has gone on holiday at Pjoltergeist. Handmade ceramics from Anette Krogstad is the new shit.

Anette Krogstad in the bar
Anette Krogstad in the bar

Anette Krogstad is a young ceramic artist, educated in Norway and trained in Denmark. She has previously made plates for the now-closed restaurant Ylajali in Oslo. I recently visited Anette’s workshop and learned more about her background, working methods, and visions. I’ve dedicated a separate article to that, so check back in a little while. This opening dinner to celebrate the launch of her collection at Pjoltergeist was back in October last year. It was supposed to be a two months test period, but in the end, the restaurant decided to keep most of her plates – in addition to some of the Moomin plates, of course!

I think Anette’s plates are beautiful, and they fit well with the food and style at Pjoltergeist. Bowls with rough edges, big plates with messy, random patterns, and glazing that looks sort of unfinished. Isn’t that a description of the food at Pjoltergeist as well? Rough, messy, and unfinished. In a good sense, of course. The best part is that you can buy these plates for your home. Visit Anette’s website to find contact details. She can ship the products to you, or you can drop by her workspace in Brenneriveien near Blå to pick them up.

Puffed crunchy pork fat in the bacon crisp bowl
Puffed crunchy pork fat in the bacon crisp bowl
Grilled cauliflower with truffle mayo and summer truffles. Fried sourdough with duck liver mousse and shavings of smoked elk heart on the plate "Havskum" (seafoam)
Grilled cauliflower with truffle mayo and summer truffles. Fried sourdough with duck liver mousse and shavings of smoked elk heart on the plate “Havskum” (seafoam)
Pet Nat from De Conti. Natural bubbles! Cloudy with elderberry aroma
Pet Nat from De Conti. Natural bubbles! Cloudy with elderberry aroma
Fermented cabbage soup, chili and coriander
Fermented cabbage soup, chili and coriander
Pil pil shrimps with steam buns. Even better on Anette's plates...
Pil pil shrimps with steam buns. Even better on Anette’s plates…
Occhipinti SP68 Bianco. Whiskey aroma
Occhipinti SP68 Bianco. Whiskey aroma
Takoyaki
Takoyaki
Veal sweetbread, spinach and schezuan
Veal sweetbread, spinach and schezuan
Garlic pancakes, confit lamb and tzatziki. This was heavenly good!
Garlic pancakes, confit lamb and tzatziki. This was heavenly good!
Apple compote, cardamom ice cream made on cardamom from Nepal, caramel sauce, toasted sesame and pumkin seeds & wood sorrel
Apple compote, cardamom ice cream made on cardamom from Nepal, caramel sauce, toasted sesame and pumkin seeds & wood sorrel
The pineapple in the bar
The pineapple in the bar

Have you been to Pjoltergeist since the change of plating? What do you think? Feel free to comment below.

Anders Husa

Anders Husa and Kaitlin Orr are food & travel bloggers and creative content creators. From their base in Copenhagen, they operate the largest and most influential restaurant-focused travel blog in Scandinavia.

5 comments

  • Love your latest on Pjoltergeist. Thanks for sharing my concern about the Moomin plates… <3
    Last time I went to Pjoltergeist I learnt that in the Western part of Norway putting a pineapple in your window means that you are single. Could you (with your Sandnes origins) confirm this?

  • Thanks for the heads up, I went this last weekend to see what had changed. A good thing about Pjoltergeist is the fact that while being uber hipster-ish it doesn’t feel pretentious, and I like to think that the moomin did contribute to that. Although I found the moomin very cute, the new tableware looks a lot better, it´s simple and elegant and lets the dishes speak for themselves.
    The whale was tasty, as was the takoyaki, the horse & löyrom was a little too weird, steam buns great. Going back soon to check the rest of the menu

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