C'mon Get Happy (Like the Scandinavians)

Have you noticed that every time survey results come out about the happiest people on the planet, the Scandinavians top the list? Makes you wonder about the positive effects of the Summer Moon and close proximity to a smorgasbord.

To discover who’s happiest, Gallup World Poll researchers surveyed thousands of respondents in 155 countries between 2005 and 2009, questioning them on two trains of thought—overall happiness and happiness levels on the previous day. (I had an amusing moment where I imagined asking New Yorkers these questions on a humid August day in the subway during rush hour, but I digress.) It turns out, as of 2010, the five happiest countries in the world are Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands—all neighbors, all happy.

Where am I going with this? Well, suffice it to say, if you can’t live there with them, you may as well eat like them. I found an opportunity at The Living Room c/o The Maidstone Arms in East Hampton, N.Y., a Slow Food–inspired Swedish restaurant that pleased both my stomach and my love of Scandinavian design. I headed over for brunch and started my happiness quest with a Bloody Mary with Aquavit and a Scandinavian-inspired smoothie of raspberry, blackberry and lingonberry. The menu was loaded with delicious options; I settled on the Smørrebrød, a trio of not-so-petite open-faced sandwiches, including gravlax with dill from the restaurant’s garden and lemon aioli; applewood-smoked bacon, tomato and lettuce; and Skagen shrimp salad, crème fraiche and caviar. It didn’t take more than a few bites for my happiness level to skyrocket. Next time I’ll go for the local Peconic Pride oysters on the half shell with mignonette. I feel happier just thinking of it.

With local ingredients as the focal point at The Living Room, menu options change seasonally and showcase local purveyors, like Hampton Coffee Company and Plain T, which provide the restaurant’s coffee and tea, respectively. Staying true to its Scandinavian roots, this relaxed yet über-hip hotel restaurant offers year-round outdoor seating, with fur blankets on each porch chair. The Scandinavians may be the happiest, but they’re willing to make us just as happy as they are. Prepare to depart satisfied and smiling. —Denise Shoukas

Denise Shoukas is a regular foodspring.com contributor
and is the author of foodspring’s food forager blog.

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