Norway question!

[orriskitten]

Some very close friends of ours who live in Norway are getting married this month. They are not registered and when asked said the best gift would be us visiting, etc.

We still want to get them a little something, so I was thinking a date night/experience thing.

Anyone have any advice? We did a dinner boat trip when visiting, but I feel like that could be too tourist-y? Just want to give them a date night on us

[Grimmy]

I'm not from Norway, but my experience with those experience day packages is that they can be quite limited. We were gifted one once, and only one of the 20 options we could choose from was near enough to us to be doable. I would just try to find out what their favorite restaurant, hobby, date thing is to do together and try to buy some kind of GC for that.

But as someone living abroad that is currently very homesick, visiting is DEFINITELY the best gift you can give.

[orriskitten]

Jun 3, 2015 15:33:11 GMT -5 Grimmy said:

I'm not from Norway, but my experience with those experience day packages is that they can be quite limited. We were gifted one once, and only one of the 20 options we could choose from was near enough to us to be doable. I would just try to find out what their favorite restaurant, hobby, date thing is to do together and try to buy some kind of GC for that.

But as someone living abroad that is currently very homesick, visiting is DEFINITELY the best gift you can give.

Oh, we are definitely visiting as soon as we are able to afford it (we're currently a little new-house-poor). We still want to give them something for the wedding, though. Will see if I can find out about their favorite restaurants.

[GilliC]

Where in Norway? What kind of food do they like? How much were you thinking of spending (Mid-range? A nice dinner? Michelin stars?)?

Dinner fjord cruises are pretty touristy, but it's up to the people whether it's something they'd enjoy doing again.

Thinking of things that are relevant to anywhere in Norway and that can be done from abroad... Maybe a nice bottle of wine shipped to them from the Vinmonopolet?

[orriskitten]

Jun 3, 2015 19:24:53 GMT -5 GilliC said:

Where in Norway? What kind of food do they like? How much were you thinking of spending (Mid-range? A nice dinner? Michelin stars?)?

Dinner fjord cruises are pretty touristy, but it's up to the people whether it's something they'd enjoy doing again.

Thinking of things that are relevant to anywhere in Norway and that can be done from abroad... Maybe a nice bottle of wine shipped to them from the Vinmonopolet?

They are in Oslo and seem pretty open to most things food-wise. I'm guessing the Vinmonopolet is the alcohol store? Maybe I can get DH to sit with me and browse since he had some Norwegian language and I'd just be guessing based on my limited Icelandic lol. Maybe figuring out a wine or beer sampling might work.

The couple is struggling a bit in Norway not having friends and family around so I was thinking a night on the town where it is paid for would give them an excuse to treat themselves. I think we'd do a nice dinner, price wise.

[GilliC]

Jun 4, 2015 4:11:41 GMT -5 orriskitten said:

Jun 3, 2015 19:24:53 GMT -5 GilliC said:

Where in Norway? What kind of food do they like? How much were you thinking of spending (Mid-range? A nice dinner? Michelin stars?)?

Dinner fjord cruises are pretty touristy, but it's up to the people whether it's something they'd enjoy doing again.

Thinking of things that are relevant to anywhere in Norway and that can be done from abroad... Maybe a nice bottle of wine shipped to them from the Vinmonopolet?

They are in Oslo and seem pretty open to most things food-wise. I'm guessing the Vinmonopolet is the alcohol store? Maybe I can get DH to sit with me and browse since he had some Norwegian language and I'd just be guessing based on my limited Icelandic lol. Maybe figuring out a wine or beer sampling might work.

The couple is struggling a bit in Norway not having friends and family around so I was thinking a night on the town where it is paid for would give them an excuse to treat themselves. I think we'd do a nice dinner, price wise.

It can definitely be a hard culture to integrate into, since so many people already have a group of friends and aren't eager to expand it. Where are they from? I've actually known some Norwegians from other parts of the country who joined ex-pat groups, since it was easier to meet people that way.

Yes, the Vinmonopolet is the wine monopoly. Google Translate does a pretty good job with Norwegian from my experience.

I'm not sure how many restaurants have gift cards (gavekort) that you could buy online (aside from Groupon and LetsDeal). Online shopping in any form still feels pretty awkward and uncommon, made more so by the fact that ordering anything from outside Norway carries a hefty customs import duty along with expensive processing fees.

But here are some suggestions for nice restaurants in town:
Ni & Tyve - A cozy restaurant built in the rooms of a historic house near the palace. I've only been here once, but every dish we had was great.
Brasserie Blanche - Another cozy place with great French food. A little more cozy and informal than Ni & Tyve.
hos Thea - This one is probably a bit more expensive than the others. It's a tiny place with only a few tables and usually a lot of personal attention from the very-friendly chef/owner.
Dinner - Upscale Chinese that's been consistently good for years.
Nodee - Asian fusion. Another long-standing place with a good reputation.