Member portrait: Panorama Restaurant and Bar
One of our newest members in a brand new and exciting district in Oslo. With the city in the background, a view of the sea and delicious food. What happens when a food enthusiast gets the opportunity to create their own place on one of Oslo's hottest waterfronts?
With a passion for food
The educated civil engineer Maria Sørli has been interested in food and wine all her life. Countless times she has wandered by the pier in Oslobukta and let her mind wander. When the opportunity in the premises at Sørenga opened up a year ago, she grabbed it with both hands. – For as long as I can remember, I have had a dream of creating new experiences of the fantastic Mediterranean food, says Maria. – Countries like Greece, Italy and Spain in particular have food traditions that are exciting to highlight. She herself has a background from Albania, where European eating habits and Mediterranean ingredients dominate the food traditions.
Only the best is good enough
When it comes to making good food, it has to be done right! Because one thing is for sure: In Maria's restaurant, guests will get real Greek olive oil and cheeses of the highest quality. The restaurant receives daily deliveries of fruit and vegetables, cheese, oils, and together with colleagues she regularly handpicks products from local suppliers to ensure the very best. – I know what I want, and I want to give my customers what they pay for. We do what we can to keep the quality high.
New, attractive Oslo district
In this new district of Oslobukta, the restaurants have a good community and help each other. At the same time, this restaurant stands firmly on its own two feet. Panorama Restaurant is the first restaurant you see when you cross the bridge towards Sørenga, and there is a spectacular view towards Bjørvika. – When the sun shines here, the place markets itself.
A driving force that impresses
The staff at Panorama Restaurant and Bar are active on social media, and are constantly tempting with exciting events: Brunch, Greek evening and a special Valentine's menu. - Now I am perhaps too fond of initiating events. I love being a hostess 24-7! - And these events have really been a huge success every time. After only a few months of operation, the number of regular guests has grown. Some guests are people who live nearby who don't have time to cook at home, others come here to be social. Tourists are also thrilled by the food and the view from the restaurant.
Popular sofa spot
A very special sofa area has also gained unexpected popularity. Here there is room for up to 20 guests. From the sofa corner you get a great view, and you can sit comfortably for a long time, a bit of a 'see and be seen' spot in the restaurant. Colleagues from nearby commercial buildings often meet here, who in turn recommend the place to others. Maria says that she constantly gets calls from new guests who want to book this particular seating area in the restaurant. It is rarely available here.
Ready for its first summer serving
– We are really looking forward to our first summer service, Maria exclaims. – We got a taste of it with the heat wave that came in April. It was pure May 17th atmosphere here. To get ready for the summer pressure, we have put together a solid team. We have a good relationship with our main supplier, Servicegrossisten Øst. They have done a lot for us in getting goods and things in place. – I am also super happy with it Systemkjøp and my contact person there, Eivind, does for me. This is an industry where there is great understanding and respect for each other.
More than just a team
The restaurant has chefs from Italy, Poland and Greece, and they all share a common love for good food. Maria is keen for everyone to be involved in developing the menu together, and she makes sure to be with the team as much as she can: – We are like a family, and we like to be flexible. For example, there is a reason why the party menu is not on our website: We adapt it to the wishes and needs of each individual group.
And it gives us extra joy when satisfied guests walk out our door. It's worth all the effort!
Seafood in the summer sun
The restaurant has had great success with its warm, generous seafood platters. This summer, the staff is preparing a new, cold version of the popular dish, and several new steak dishes will also appear on the menu. There will be a lot to look forward to here when the summer sun roams the city: The kegs of beer are ready, the wine cellar has wine for all palates, - and there are rumors that the bar has some very good cocktails in store. At Panorama Restaurant and Bar, the Oslo summer can really be enjoyed.
Photo: Panorama Restaurant and Bar