Who are you, and how did you end up at Freyja?
I’m Mike, 21 years old, used to work at the old national archive before. I crossed paths with a certain Karl Ljung, who runs L’Avventura and recommended me to come here, so I joined Freyja before the opening, with everything that entails.
How was the initial period?
Starting a restaurant involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work. There was a tremendous amount of setting up and building the bar, determining where everything should be placed, and figuring out how things should operate, which can be complicated when all the bartenders have quite strong personalities. However, we managed to navigate through the arguments and had a really smooth opening in March, as it was packed from the get-go.
How did you get into the industry?
I was quite unruly before, couldn’t handle high school, dropped out after four months. When I was around 17, I felt I should do something productive. I started working in restaurants and realized that this job demanded a lot from a person, leaving no time for nonsense in your free time. But the restaurant world fascinated me – the whole theater aspect, working with your hands, and seeing immediate results, both good and bad, from guests. Most importantly, I have a lot of energy, and this job is perfect for that.
There are rumors that you also make music?
Yes, I sure do. I think, as everyone probably thinks, that I have a story to tell, and I do that through music. You could classify the music as rap, but it seems like the label is getting a bit tired. If you appreciate poetry, you’re on the same page as I am.
If you came here as a guest, what would you eat and drink, and who would you bring with you?
I would definitely bring my girlfriend, Elina. We’d probably go for the starters and snacks because they are amazing here. If you’re sitting at the bar and not munching on buckwheat chips and deep-fried sourdough, you’re doing the bar wrong. In terms of drinks, we have great bartenders who excel at classics, so I would order an Old Fashioned and a Negroni. If you’re here for brunch, you absolutely mustn’t miss “Den lilla vackra,” our take on a Bellini.
Thank you, Mike! <3 <3 <3
Listen to Mike’s music on Spotify here.