SAS–Scandic: A Perfect Match at Holmenkollen Park, Oslo
It all started back in May, when an email popped up in Nina’s inbox with the subject line: “Match ditt medlemskap i Scandic – Nå et høyere nivå direkte.” SAS and Scandic had teamed up to let EuroBonus members link their memberships with Scandic Friends – a collaboration that promised extra benefits and, as it turned out, much more.
Over the summer and into autumn, her inbox kept filling with updates, reminders, and an increasing buzz around something called “A Perfect Match Party.” First Stockholm had the honor of hosting, and soon Oslo was next in line.
From the thousands who had signed up, only 350 people were lucky enough to be picked. Nina was one of them – and she could bring a +1. Enter Thomas, the lucky guy.
Fast forward to yesterday: after weeks of anticipation, we joined the SAS × Scandic celebration at Holmenkollen Park Hotel, the second of three parties across Scandinavia. Copenhagen will host the final one in November – but for us, this was already a night to remember.
The night began with trays of oysters on ice – paired with Ayala champagne, and a chef who knew exactly how to set the tone.
The evening opened with oysters dressed in different vinaigrettes, balsamico chips with cream cheese, and a glass of Ayala champagne. Crisp, clean, and surprisingly fun. Then came a donut mini-burger with bacon paired with 1664 Blanc – light bread, juicy meat, perfectly cooked bacon and melting cheese. We laughed about how easy it would have been to eat a second one.
Donut & burger – a bespoke bun hugging smoky beef, melted cheddar, and a twist of apple. Unexpected harmony on a plate.
Later, we slipped into the wine cellar well ahead of schedule. Our tickets were for the 22:10 tasting – a little too late in the evening – so we tried our luck with earlier sessions, betting on no-shows as the party mood took over. The gamble paid off. Christer Berens led us through three wines: a crisp Riesling, a smooth Crianza, and a velvety Ripasso. The tasting was simple yet engaging: smell, swirl, sip, notice. Christer was charming and full of stories, dropping in a cheerful plug for his Friday morning radio segment Njutelsesfredag on P4. Midway through, a spontaneous opera singer burst into song right outside the cellar door, briefly throwing him off his rhythm – and sending the whole room into laughter.
Christer Behrens pouring stories as smoothly as he pours wine – from Riesling to Ripasso, with laughter in between.
Fine dining followed in rotating slots, with us hovering in line for group 6. Only seven of twelve had turned up, so we managed to sneak in. The strategy of betting on no-shows paid off again as live music drew people away from their tables.
Heart waffles reimagined: shrimp & guac, BBQ chicken & asparagus, and basil – fine dining disguised as comfort food or the other way around?
The night ended back in the cellar bar, talking with Jacob – a bartender from Ivory Coast who usually works at Radisson Oslo Plaza. We switched into French, reminisced about Benin, and learned about upcoming renovations at Sky Bar on the Plaza. He poured us a final glass and made us promise to stop by. (No persuasion needed – everyone knows how much we love that view.)
A perfect match isn’t only on the menu – it’s in the people you meet along the way.
And that was the end: champagne, burgers, opera, wines, laughter, and a Uber ride back down the mountain. Tomorrow brings Bergen for me, an office day for Nina, and poor Cæsar in charge of the house.
Nina & Thomas - The Perfect Match 😍
Some nights are just a perfect match.
