Northern Hospitality with The Portland Hunt + Alpine Club

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  														
From the publisher --- 														

Craft cocktails, Scandinavian-inspired food, and the magic of the north.

In Portland, Maine, Andrew and Briana Volk welcome people into their restaurant like it's an extension of their home. It's here that they create new tastes like In the Pines (gin, Cynar, and stone pine liqueur) and the Norseman (a Scandinavian take on the old-fashioned, with aquavit), while also spending time perfecting the classics behind the bar, from the Pimm's Cup to hot buttered rum.

After the drinks, Northern Hospitality moves on to food inspired by both Portland and Scandinavia. The bar snacks are addictive; green chile popcorn, cured venison, and house-made pretzels are just the beginning -- smorgasbords feature smoked fish, cheese, and house-made cider pickles. Swedish meatballs with spaetzle and nutmeg cream are sure to warm you up. Or go further from the known with the nori hashbrowns and trout roe.

Features on ice fishing, shucking oysters, how to build a bonfire, and après-ski provide a sense of place and an experience as unique as the club itself. Celebrate the seasons the way those in the north do: with warmth, fun, and a sense of wonder.

This is a fascinating and beautifully photographed cookbook worth space on every cookbook collector's shelf. The northern part made me laugh as Oregon is kind of northern to the USA but south to ALL of Canada (2500 miles south of Tuktoyaktuk, BTW): that grabbed my eyes as soon as I saw the cover, but I am guessing that the Scandinavian theme is the northern part.) 	
Would I make any of the recipes in here? Maybe ... but I would be able to set up a killer smorgasbord/buffet as a result and make a campfire in case I accidentally got left in the woods. Four stars!!!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. I think it will be beautiful in it’s final form. As a New Englander, I loved some of the discussion of what winter is really like in Maine and NH... and how to best keep warm, with some delicious hot beverages among other things. The cocktails in this book looked delicious, as did the Finnish inspired food to go with. I know I have three recipes bookmarked so far, and a shopping list for my local ABC store!

My family, well, the majority of my family lives in Maine. I would say that I am as "from Maine" as I could be from anywhere as a military brat. I say all of that because whenever I see something that has a base in Maine I want to read it. 

This particular book of recipes and stories makes me feel at home. There are a lot of unique ideas of flavorings and creations from the Volk's but the influence of Maine and the community that makes up what Maine "is" comes through. And I really appreciate that from this book.

Well done.

What a great book! Full of cocktails and enticing food recipes. Divided into eight chapters: Welcome to the Portland Hunt and Alpine Club; The Sea and Salty Air; Cocktails for a Crowd; Winter Warmers; The Coffee Table; Aquavit; Entertaining in the Snow and The Short Seasons. I love how the food and the drink are matched up. There are some really interesting twists on some classic cocktails. I can't wait to try some of these recipes and I'd be very tempted to visit The Portland Hunt and Alpine Club if I ever got the opportunity. Thank you to Net Galley and Quarto Publishing for an ARC.

This book is full of fantastic cocktails and yummy recipes and I want to try some of them.
It would be lovely to visit the Portland Hund and Alpine Club to taste all those wonderful things.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Quarto Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC

It's probably important to say from the outset that I have never been to Portland and therefore was unfamiliar with the Hunt + Alpine Club brand. Having said that, I am a big fan of all things Scandi and Nordi (thriller books, minimalist design, hygge, and importantly: food) so this book piqued my interest. I was not disappointed.

First, this is a beautiful book. You feel warm and at home with its roaring fires, fiery brews and delicious food - all to protect against the elements. There are also enough beards and tattoos in the pictures to remind you that this is a book for hipsters. But, back to the beauty... the pictures are absolutely gorgeous - so much so, I found that I needed to have food in front of me in order to read this book or my stomach would start to grumble.

A lot of the book is aimed at people who are looking to set up a cocktail bar or restaurant, with words of wisdom for those folk. Don't worry if you're not one of those people - there's still plenty in here for you! I ignored things like batched drinks, complicated beverages involving fire or involving me making my own alcohol base, etc and focussed on what I could take from this. I absolutely loved the simplicity of recipes like the Mixed Nuts, Salmon Soup and new ideas for a smorgasbord-style meal. I'm a big fan of the latter - turns a simple snack meal into something more special. 

Measurements here follow the US Imperial system, so us Metric users have to adapt (I really wish conversions were standard practice in all recipe books. It would make life so much simpler!) 

This is going to be a go-to for Winter recipes for me. I'll just be writing in all the Metric measures. 

With many thanks to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing and Briana and Andrew Volk for an ARC the of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Northern Hospitality with The Portland Hunt + Alpine Club” features a Scandinavian smorgasbord of craft cocktails, food, and the magic of life in the North in this inspired guide by James Beard-nominated restauranteurs Andrew and Briana Volk. 

Learn to make awesome cocktails such as In the Pines (gin, Cynar, and stone pine liqueur) and the Norseman (a Scandinavian take on the old-fashioned, with aquavit), then addictive bar snacks such as green chile popcorn, cured venison, and house-made pretzels, and finally, the full feast of Swedish meatballs with spaetzle and nutmeg cream or nori hashbrowns and trout roe. 

Ice fishing, shucking oysters, bonfire building, and après-ski life round out the Northern experience with fun, warmth and charm. Highly recommended! 

Pub Date 04 Sep 2018

Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Voyageur Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#NorthernHospitalityWithThePortlandHuntAlpineClub #NetGalley

From the opening pages this gorgeous restaurant serving unbelievable sounding craft cocktails Finnish inspired food beautifully photographed  make this a destination restaurant & if your lucky enough to live in Maine rush over. The young couple who own it the vibrancy that pops off the pages loved the book would love to drink dine there.Thanks to #netgalley & Quarto publishers for another gorgeous book.

Andrew and Briana Volk have authored a lavishly illustrated compendium of food facts, recipes and cocktails.  All are influenced by the state of Maine, the city of Portland and Briana's Finnish ancestors.  There are recipes for dishes like salmon soup, smoked trout with deviled eggs, summer vegetable stew, pretzels, butterscotch buddino with pistachio praline, etc.  To this are added cocktails both cold and hot.  There are side treks to places like Mohegan Island and information on things like how to shuck oysters.  A great resource for interesting food and drink with a special shout out to Maine, one of my own favorite places.

I loved everything about this book, and it helps that the cocktail bar Portland Hunt + Alpine Club is all about showcasing Scandinavian cuisine, libations, and life philosophy. 

And for what the cocktail bar is, though I haven't had the opportunity to visit, I feel that the book communicated that perfectly. I love the little asides such as "how to build a bonfire" and "entertaining in the snow" and "how to pair cocktails with food". Even though I might not want to make the cocktail recipes for myself, the book is beautiful to read through and get ideas from for entertaining. The Scandinavian-inspired dishes look quite simple and accessible to make, with the occasional odd ingredient (as in, can be difficult to source). For the cocktail recipes, you definitely need a well-stocked bar.

This book is mostly for the hardcore bartending and drinks enthusiast, but it also makes for a beautiful addition to any cookbook collector or Scandinavia / hygge lover. 

I received a digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review .

#NorthernHospitalityWithThePortlandHuntAlpineClub 

Inspirational cocktails and snacks for creative parties. The cookbook contains good recipes, informative facts, and beautiful pictures.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Voyageur Press for my unbiased opinion of the book.  This is the quintessential fall/winter with accents of spring/summer reference cookbook.  I hope they are ready for the onslaught of followers.  I am converted!!!  I tried espresso martini, sloe gin fizz, winter pancakes, negroni, Swedish meatballs, cucumber and apple kimchi, and chocolate bundino with walnut brittle loved it all.  I can't wait to drink and cook my way through the rest of this book.  I loved the pitcher recipes of drinks and everything you need to know for entertaining for a crowd.  This is a great book to give people or couples as a housewarming gift when starting out!  What a great Christmas gift idea!

Northern Hospitality with the The Portland Hunt + Alpine Club by Andrew & Briana Volk is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in early September.

I had entered, kinda curious about what the Volks meant by 'Northern,' but, apparently it's Portland, Maine, at the Hunt + Alpine Club by way of Scandinavia, which seems like a well-lit, rustic, pub/tavern-like space.  There's an eclectic use of Gothic/post-Victorian advertising font, mostly centered with a broad use of vertical columns, quirky (yet not overly uncharacteristicly smarmy or fake-cheerful) storytelling, amid recipes for cocktails, bar snacks, and small plates.  The recipes I'll have to struggle and make for myself in my own comparatively less well-lit kitchen is ableskiver, Heavy Weather, salmon soup, White Noise (which uses a certain kind of Italian fortified wine), smoked trout devilled eggs, and Swedish meatballs with spaetzle.

Cocktails, cocktail ingredients (i.e. syrup), nuts, olives, traditional dishes, fire-safety for bartenders, and so much more. Wonderful pictures make this a perfectly hygge read/recipe book for entertaining a few friends, or a lot of friends. There is something in this for everyone. 

By the way, I've tried the Spanish Coffee. This drink is wow! I love it!

I highly recommend this Craft Cocktails Book for gift giving this Holiday season. Plus it’s filled with yummy sounding Scandinavian and Finnish dishes.

Being from the South I know Southern Hospitality but never have I heard of Northern Hospitality. But this book has really opened my eyes to how people up North do things. This book is full of character and charm. I love how it has recipes for many different things. I really appreciate it and can’t wait to sink my teeth I to some of these yummy treats.

An interesting book. Full of recipes, especially for drinks, but there are also a few snack recipes (that go with drinks) included as well. I like the discussion of Aquavit, and would like to try the homemade version with herbs and vodka. It is a liquor we have enjoyed for years, as there are plenty of Norsemen around my area of the upper midwest. Perhaps more on foods, but otherwise I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for your reading and library. Fun read.

I have a bookshelf full of good cookbooks.  Those that are not only educational...after all, that's what we look for in a cookbook...but also those that tell me the story behind the cooking.  Northern Hospitality has now earned a spot on the top shelf!  We've always been pretty boring with cocktails, no experimenting with results, but I'm inspired to at least try a couple of these.  Now the recipes: I've got post it notes stuck on many of the pages to go back to.  This is the type of cookbook that you recommend to friends and gift copies of to your cooking relatives.

This is a fun, drink & food book with beautiful photography! The type of book that makes you wish you were in the midst of it all!  Count me in!

Northern Hospitality with The Portland Hunt + Alpine Club
A Celebration of Cocktails, Cooking, and Coming Together
by Andrew Volk, Briana Volk

What I found in the pages of this book were beautiful photos, entertaining stories, wonderful recipes for foods I have never tasted, cocktails with ingredients that sound intriguing and personal anecdotes and words of wisdom shared by the authors. I wondered how so many unique ideas had come to mind and who might have tasted the variations until one cocktail was finalized and named then shared with others. I believe that Andrew and Briana must have an establishment that draws people in, provides a warm atmosphere and then hooks the guest making them want to return again and again. Sadly I do not live near enough to visit but do believe someday I would like to see Maine and stop in to try a cocktail and say hello. 
 
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Voyageur Press for the ARC - This is my honest review. 

4-5 Stars

Based on Recipes From the Portland Maine Bat and Restaurant these recipes are meant to be enjoyed while keeping warm.  The cocktails and food recipes are creative.  The photographs are beautiful. The authors also include tips and suggestions on how to enjoy winter.  This book will make a wonderful gift.  Enjoy

Andrew Volk, along with his wife, Briana Volk, opened the Portland Hunt + Alpine Club in 2013. This upscale cocktail bar features both traditional and fancy innovative cocktails, as well as Scandinavian food. The bar has won numerous awards, and the recipes are now included in an excellent cookbook, Northern Hospitality with The Portland Hunt + Alpine Club: A Celebration of Cocktails, Cooking, and Coming Together. 

Of course, making the cocktails and foods featured in this cookbook won’t quite capture the ambience of the Portland Hunt + Alpine Club, which is located in Portland, Maine, but there are enough recipes to make for a fabulous gathering. The book also includes vignettes and stories that make for good reading if not ready to cook or mix cocktails. Once ready to cook or mix, however, the recipes are well-written and easy to follow. The photographs are beautiful, and make it difficult to choose what to make next. 

The Salmon Soup is an excellent place to start; it is easy and delicious. Good breads are a must with a good meal, and there is a good recipe for real pretzels (food grade lye is available online), and a fabulous version of Pulla (Finnish Cardamom Bread). If you like rice pudding you’ll want to try Briana’s Scandinavian version of Riccipurra which is excellent, especially with the Finnish Fruit Soup which is ladled over the top. Her Dill Potato Salad is a nice change from traditional potato salad. There is a section featuring easy pickles, and Swedish Meatballs to die for. There are custards and pancakes, including Aebleskivers, all fairly easy to make and every recipe seems to turn out picture perfect.

Of course, the focus of the book is on the fancy, innovative cocktails; there are excellent photographs of each, and good instructions. Cocktail lovers can’t go wrong and will love the new ideas for cocktails that their guests will love.

Anyone who loves good cocktails and Scandinavian foods will want to pick up this excellent cookbook.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

This is a beautiful and inspiring cookbook. Perfect for those who want to develop their culinary skills in creating Scandinavian inspired food and amazing cocktails. If you love to host parties, this book will give you ideas on pairing drinks and snacks together. 

To be honest, I feel that some of the cocktail recipes in this book are a bit on the fancy side. But no need to worry, there is still plenty of other recipes to try. Some recipes I tried: Sima, Hot Buttered Rum, Sloe Gin Fizz, Smoked Trout Devilled Eggs, Salmon Soup, Cucumber - Apple Kimchi, and Swedish Meatball Soup. They are very delicious and easy enough to prepare on weeknights. One of a particular recipe, Oven Pancakes is becoming a regular breakfast item for my family since they love it so much!

** Thank you to Voyageur Press and #NetGalley for providing me this digital copy of this cookbook **

Really good book for those interested in the topic.

Northern Hospitality is remarked about in all areas of the country... now a book to teach you how.

Admittedly, I’m not the ideal customer of this book, since I rarely drink mixed drinks, but it was just so dang much fun to *read*, and to share the Andrew and Briana Volk’s enthusiasm for good food, good drinks and entertainment. (And I’m pretty sure that if I attended one of their parties, I’d make an exception and try anything I was offered!)

Northern Hospitality is chock full of drink recipes, the mixers for which will surely send you running to a supply store.  It also has a handful of recipes, which reflect Briana’s Finnish heritage and the Volks’ home on the Maine coast.

This is one of the best and most balanced books that I read that is trying to combine more things and it's not strictly a cookbook or cocktail book. This book fits perfectly in the hosting category, featuring lots of cocktails, great recipes to share with people, great stories that are not how to do something, but a "how we do something" and it simply pulls into those events mentioned. 

The main point of the book are cocktails, of course, because the authors own a bar and the husband is a bartender. They know a lot of classics and their history, which make this more than a cocktail recipe book.

The passion of the authors is coming to life from these pages, and it's a book I cannot recommend enough - although it might not be on everyone's taste when it comes to recipes and cocktails (but I did "pin" some for me to try soon).

Great photos!

An excellent book for readers looking to up their cocktail game. The beverages included in the book are complex but not overwhelming. If the authors ask you to use a unique or hard to find ingredient they point you towards sources or recipes for homemade versions. As someone from Northern Minnesota and a Scandinavian background it was fun to see flavors and ingredients familiar to me played with in a funky new way and I am excited to recreate the recipes found in the book.

I really enjoyed this book! The pictures were pretty and i loved all the little stories included in it as well! Recipes are easy to follow and quite tasty,.

Such an amazing book that is full of drinks and snacks to build yourself one wonderful party. My favourite chapters are the ones detailing oysters and the other that has the winter warmers.
More than anything, it’s got me wanting to book a holiday to Portland, stat.