Al Johnson’s Offers Traditional Swedish Julbord

With its unique foods and handcrafted gifts, a true Scandinavian Christmas is special and includes a number of important traditions and qualities that remain constant from year to year. This December, Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik in Sister Bay is serving its version of the famous Swedish Julbord, a multi-course Christmas smörgåsbord (or buffet) that is a holiday tradition throughout the country of Sweden.

This year’s Julbord is being served on both Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9. Reservations are required and dining times are at 5:00 and 6:45 pm on both nights — email reservations@aljohnsons.com today to  make your family’s 2023 reservation. After receipt of your reservation info (name, phone number, day, time of dining) and advance payment (Adults: $34.95, Kids: $16.95, ages 12 and younger), you will receive an email confirmation.

The Swedish Julbord — perhaps Sweden’s best-known culinary tradition — has specific customs to follow. Despite the meal’s pick-and-choose display, dishes should be eaten in a specific order and a clean plate should be used with each new trip to the food table. The first course would typically be a variety of fish. The second course is often a selection of cold sliced meats, the most important being the Christmas ham. It is also common to serve the cold meats with sliced cheese, pickled cucumbers and soft and crisp breads. The third course would be warm dishes, including roast pork, potato sausage, meatballs, red cabbage, and Jansson’s Temptation, a baked dish of potatoes with anchovies. An array of desserts and coffee come last.

Al’s will also be serving its own version of the famous Swedish Glögg, a hot spiced holiday wine made of red port, spices, fruit and nuts.