'Kraftskiva' on Stone Street, NYC!

Crayfish Party, September 24 at the SmorgasChef restaurant in Lower Manhattan.  

  • Joseph, James, Beata and Anna. "I'm not Swedish, I just happened to marry one. I'm glad that I got introduced to the crayfish."

  • SmörgåsChef on Stone Street, which offers a charming alternative to the traditional Wall Street steaks in the Financial district turned Swedish for a night: "Helan går" reverberated around the cobble-stoned street and snaps glasses were raised over a sumptuous buffet of the traditional red delicacy.

  • Jeff, Raj, Alison and Kevin- who had never tried crayfish before. Ray: "It tasted sea and butter." Alison: "Herring is a favorite. I like that you can enjoy raw fish in different ways than by eating sushi." Kevin: "I have been here at Smörgås Chef before, and I think it's Stone Street's best restaurant."

  • The organization “International Swede” hosted the evening, where guests gathered to celebrate the crayfish season.

  • Kaisa Lundberg and Martin Skoogh recently moved to New York: "It's a nice opportunity to meet new people and make friends."

  • While there are multiple variations of how to celebrate it, there is invariably one ingredient at every party - the crayfish itself; Kräftan. The rest of this party's ingredients included snaps, herring, crisp bread, meatballs with lingonberries, Jansson's temptation, snaps, and more snaps.
    Everyone agreed, this is a great way to celebrate the last days of summer with friends but also to make new ones.
    "We want Swedes to come here and have a good time among friends, meet new people and also encourage everyone to invite their American friends as well," Thomas Noe, the host and cofounder of International Swede said.
    A majority of Swedes, a cheerful mood and mingle, made for one remarkable night and a successful crayfish party.
    Text & Photo: Hanna Aqvilin

  • Jaana, Milla, Jaana and Tuula from Finland enjoy "kräftor".

  • Planning your own? Check out Nordstjernan’s guide:
    How to prepare Kräftskivan – your own crayfish party

  • Tiago Oliveira, Mariana Krippahl and Miguel Pires from Portugal. Miguel: "I've never eaten crayfish before, it's like a mix of a lobster and a shrimp. I like the taste of sea and salt. I also like dill, never had that before."

  • For more about the activities at “International Swede” in New York see:
    International Swede