Oldemors Hus – A Historic Feast for the Senses
- Marion Solheim
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
Who knew! A cookbook from 1924 can create pure culinary magic! If you're looking for a truly special dining experience, keep reading. We’re stepping back in time to the elegant 1920s, where Oldemors Hus (the House of Great-Grandma) in Åna-Sira offers a rare and authentic gastronomic evening.
Walking through the doors feels like stepping into a time machine, transporting you a hundred years into the past. At Oldemor’s Hus, gold-plated cutlery is set on crisp white tablecloths, ready to welcome guests. The house, built in 1910, has been meticulously preserved, featuring original 1920s furniture, lace curtains, and beautiful crystal glasses. The very same ones great-grandma herself once used to serve her guests.
Cod and Butter
This charming house is located in the village of Åna-Sira, near Flekkefjord. It was built by the great-grandparents of master chef Rune Løyning. It surely is a home filled with stories and memories, a house with a soul.
Rune inherited the house from his grandparents. Though he originally worked as a ship captain, his passion for high-quality food was a constant. Fate took an unexpected turn when he joined MasterChef Norway, a popular cooking competition on national television. His talent was undeniable. He made it nearly to the top, and soon, offers came pouring in.
With a new career in fine dining, Rune gained firsthand insight into the elite restaurant world. That’s when inspiration struck: why not transform his great-grandparents’ house into a one-of-a-kind dining experience? A dusty cookbook from 1924 was unearthed, and soon, a culinary adventure began.
-This cookbook by Olaug Løken is absolutely fantastic! Rune exclaims enthusiastically.
-Let me give you an example. It features recipes for sea food dishes suited for both the wealthy and those with fewer means. The lobster recipe was for the wealthy. And then you had the cod recipe that was meant for the sick. It goes like this: you take two plates and coat them with good butter. Place the cod on one plate, use the second plate as a lid, and cook it in a water bath. The butter melts and drips into the fish, giving it an insanely delicious flavor! It’s heavenly and so simple. Of course, I like to tweak the recipes a bit. I love experimenting and mixing styles. But this cookbook holds up on its own, he says with a smile.
Exclusive Family Business with a Long Waiting List
Oldemors Hus is not a place you can simply drop by on a whim. It operates between September and May, and reservations are required well in advance.
-Yes, there’s always a waiting list. This is more than just gourmet food. It’s an experience, Rune explains. He already prepares for the next event, where guests will be served cod prepared in four different ways.
-Guests dress up for the occasion, and they come from near and far. Naturally, they’re passionate about great food, but they also come for the atmosphere. We beat Michelin-starred restaurants hands down when it comes to ambiance, haha! Here, people eat, drink, and laugh.
Rune isn’t just the head chef. He’s also a master storyteller. Guests learn about the origins of the ingredients and the dishes, hear passages from the legendary cookbook, and discover old dining wisdom. One excerpt from the Olaug Løken cookbook states that "the finest seasoning at any table is mutual attention and conversations about the good things in life. And humor."
-Apparently, this increases the production of good stomach acid and aids digestion, Rune chuckles.
-So, staring at your smartphone isn’t exactly encouraged here. This is a place to enjoy the moment, enjoy the food and good company. And I love it too; I get to combine the two things I’m best at: cooking and telling great stories.
With space for maximum 16 guests at a time, diners can choose between a three, five, or eight-course meal - with or without a carefully selected wine pairing from Oldemor’s very own wine cellar. The gold-trimmed plates, crystal glasses, and antique furniture make this a true culinary journey back in time. To the fashionable 1920s.
Fittingly, Oldemor’s House is also a family-run business. Rune’s children and grandchildren help in the kitchen and serve the food, ensuring that every detail is perfect. The ingredients are locally sourced and of the highest quality. Nothing is left to chance, just like Oldemor would have liked it.
Oldemor’s House. Worth the wait, if the word-of-mouth recommendations are anything to go by.
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