Swedish Midsummer Festival

The Swedes have a hot dog of their own, but you won't find it at the Red Hook Ikea unless you assemble it yourself.

Less than an hour after the opening ceremonies of this cheery annual event, many of the folks who weren't circling the maypole or sprawled around picnic blankets had joined a 45-minute line for the buffet. Luckily, tents with more-limited menus, and much shorter lines, were staffed by Smorgas Chef, Good World, and AQ Kafé — a sibling to AQ Café on Park Avenue South, and to Aquavit. (This new location, at Columbus Circle, is already catering corporate functions; the rest of us must wait till August.)

Brooklyn's new Ikea will help quiet your hunger pangs with a shrimp sandwich or a bare-bones frank, but AQ Kafé's version of the korv, which seems to be the generic name for Swedish sausage, packed both tastes in one bun. While $6 is more than I'd usually care to pay for a hot dog (or even for two dogs and a drink), the AQ Kafé korv was surprisingly filling, even indulgent.

Swedish Midsummer Festival
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park, near Battery Pl.
www.SwedenAbroad.com
Mid-June