Erik Hjortnaes, a former teacher living in California, and Camillia Hjortnaes, a cobbler at the time living in Minnesota, individually moved to Custer when the pandemic hit.
Originally planning on staying for a month or two, the pair met and quickly fell in love with the Black Hills and each other.
Once they officially moved to Custer, the two recognized the town had become a restaurant destination, but noticed a gap in the culinary realm.
“There are many restaurants like Skogen Kitchen that offer elevated menus and experiences,” said Erik. “Camillia and I saw that there was a need and want for an elevated breakfast restaurant.”
Once their idea lifted off the ground, the pair worked closely together with the Skogen Kitchen crew to develop a breakfast menu and new dining experience, offering something special to the community.
The Hjortnaes watched their dreams become a reality when they opened Hjem A.M. in 2022.
Hjem, which translates to “home” in Danish, pays homage to Camillia and Erik finding their home in Custer.
“We wanted to create a comfortable atmosphere for our guests and make it a home in the morning for travelers and locals,” shared Camillia.
The Hjortnaes describe Hjem A.M. as a “home away from home,” and they share how much they care about their concept.
“We believe in offering kindness, fun, comfort, joy, and warmth,” said Camillia. “It all starts with our exceptional staff.”
The ambiance for the restaurant is inspired by the Danish concept of hygge, which is all about creating an atmosphere of comfort, coziness, and contentment.
“ERIK AND I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE IMPECCABLE SERVICE AND PUSH THE BAR WITH OUR FOOD.” -Camillia Hjortnaes
“There’s always a joy to be had, lots of smiles, good eats, and you’ll probably receive a warm, welcoming hug from Camillia,” said Erik.
“Erik takes great care of the kitchen to make sure the food is perfect,” said Camillia.
On top of exceptional service, Hjem A.M. offers a variety of dishes that are inspired by Scandinavian and American flavors and are focused on seasonality.
Erik shares that he was taught that the simpler the dish, the better.
“We don’t believe in complicating flavors, but we believe in making our dishes pop,” he added.
Some of Hjem A.M.’s dishes include Deviled Eggs, Morning Walleye, and various Eggs Benedict flavors, like the Mojo Benedict, Salmon Benedicts, and their most popular dish, the Lobster Benedict.
The deviled egg appetizers are topped with fresh salmon, crème fraiche, honey, and everything seasoning—an overall delight, according to Erik.
The morning walleye is paired with a mint emulsion, potato bacon hash, and a sunny side egg, which Camillia states is a surprisingly delicious breakfast choice.
MORE ON THE MENU
STARTERS
» Yogurt Panna Cotta
Granola, ancient grains, cinnamon, blueberries, and strawberries.
» Oatmeal
Green apple, cinnamon, and golden raisins.
» Strawberry Toast
Toasted baguette, strawberry jam, ricotta, honey, and mint.
MAINS
» Custer’s Last Meal
House-made sausage patty, two eggs, pepper bacon, nine-grain bread, roasted garlic potatoes, and hash browns.
» Quiche Florentine
Spinach, feta, mushrooms, romesco, and baby kale salad.
» Eggs Benedict
Applewood smoked ham, poached eggs, English muffin, and hollandaise.
PANCAKES
» The Bob
Lingonberries, lemon cream, and maple syrup.
» The Mojoe
Fried chicken, Frank’s Hot Sauce, and maple syrup.
» Kids Breakfast
Pancake with sausage or bacon.
When it comes to curating the menu, the Hjortnaes have a “why not”’ mentality.
“We want to make breakfast and brunch different from anything people have ever had before,” stated Erik.
The pair reminisced about a recent trip to New Orleans, where they experienced an authentic Banana Foster. Inspired, Erik conjured up
the Ms. Mary—a banana’s foster pancake topped with banana, caramel, vanilla ice cream, cinnamon, and pecans.
Often the couple will spend nights reading a multitude of recipes, researching different ways of exploring breakfast.
The seasonal Japanese French Toast originated from this method. The french toast is topped with green tea ice cream, nori, and miso butter.
“Our dishes are unique and take your palate on a journey,” said Erik.
THE HJORTNAES’S GO-TOS
Camillia:
I love the Mexican Biscuits and Gravy—two buttermilk biscuits topped with chorizo gravy, tomatillo jam, cotija cheese, pepitas, and cilantro.
Erik:
I love the Italian French Toast with mascarpone cheese, balsamic reduction, zested lemon, fried basil, and Maldon Salt. It’s decadent, creamy, and bright. It’s a dish that you don’t need to add anything to.
For those unsure of where to begin when ordering, Camillia will always recommend The Mojoe—a pancake topped with crispy fried chicken, hot sauce, and maple syrup.
“It’s the perfect balance between sweetness, acidity, and spice,” admitted Camillia. “It will always make you want more.”
Hjem A.M. has become a highly sought-after culinary destination for travelers and locals alike.
“People from all over the country and parts of the world love it, and it makes for a wonderful experience when visiting the Black Hills,” admitted Camillia.
According to Erik, the eatery strives to continue to create unique and tasty entrées that keep guests coming back for a new experience each time they visit.
“We want to continue to show gratitude for the amazing town of Custer and all of our guests who continue to support us every day,” expressed Erik.
