Flickorna Helin Voltaire – Reflections on Stockholm

Finally back at home…in Texas and acclimated to Central Standard Time.  By the end of my 11 day trek through Stockholm, Paris, and London – I can say I was READY to be in my own space (especially shower & bed).  However, now that I’m all settled back into my normal life, I’m starting to reflect on my experiences during my travels.

One of the first places that pops into my mind that I’d love to make an instant return visit to – Flickorna Helin Voltaire Café.  Ronald and I had just visited the Vasa Museum and looked briefly at Sweden’s largest museum of cultural history – Nordiska Museet.  We were naturally drawn to the beautiful greenery and pedestrian paths across from Nordiska Museet.  This island of Djurgården (large island in the center of Stockholm where these popular museums are located) also features some beautiful scenery and walking paths along the water.

It was during our exploration of these walking paths – by total accident – that we happened on Flickorna Helin Voltaire.  It’s castle like exterior is a definitive attention grabber!  As we had worked up a bit of an appetite during our museum visits, we decided to give it a try.  Upon walking in, I have to say – it took my breath away.  It was like love at first sight.  There was a whole tribe of “foodie” type women cleaning up the gorgeous kitchen area.  (Google research tells me “flickorna” translates to “girls”.) There were delicious looking breads and pastries laid out on the counter.  The main interior room was dark, romantic, and cozy with cool brick walls – the overhead area was adorned with strings of little white lights.  There was a well used (though not on this warmer summer day) fire place.  I felt like my own imagination for a perfect café had been brought to life in this fairy tale of a place.  I instantly felt a pang of grief – that I wouldn’t be able to return week after week to this same spot.

Sadly, we arrived at very nearly closing time – 5pm.  We only had enough time to grab a coffee and a few pastries.  I had a delicious coconut and chocolate chip macaroon and Ronald had a quintessentially Swedish kanelbulle (a.k.a. cinnamon roll).  We enjoyed our sweets and coffee outside on the terrace.  If you get a chance to visit Stockholm, you might notice (as we did) that it’s more the exception than the rule to find a place with poor quality or weak coffee.  Gotta say – that’s my kind of city.

Back in Frisco, Tx…I find myself longing for a nice place like Djurgården to stroll along the water and drink in the green of early summer.  Alas, it’s already nearing 100 degrees…merely walking in between the car and the house puts you in a rush for the air conditioning.  I must remind myself that the beautiful weather I experienced in my few days in Stockholm is part of their tiny respite from many months of cold and dark winter (much colder than I’m used to).