Restaurant review: Roster Helsinki – re-visit

19 11 2017
Roster is a Bar & Restaurant near Market Square opposite to statue of Havis Amanda.  TV Chef Kari Aihinen and Paul Hickman and part of restaurant Savoy team established the restaurant and opened second Roster in Turku. One can drink aperitives in the bar before heading to tables upstairs or downstairs for dinner.

What made Roster Helsinki attractive restaurant after opening, if not also otherwise, was the pricing of wines. Wines were priced with fixed margin, which made quality wines more affordable. Enjoyed during first visit Ned & Henry’s Shiraz 2013 from Hewitson. Usually this wine costs 60-80€ in most restaurants, but “only” 46,40€ in Roster. But after success, restaurant had increased the price to 67,50€. And similar price increase was made for all wines.

Started the dinner with aperitives, French Coolers, which were fresh and good start for delicious dinner.
For starters ordered SCAM(pi) Marinated scampi, pickled raddish and mustard crème and Chermoula Grilled squash “Chermoula”, saffron pickled Brussels sprouts and Baba Ganoush.
Scampis were tasty and fresh. I am not sure if dark bread was needed, usually it is served with spiced fishes.            
Chermoula was also well prepared. Vegan versions had improved from last visits.

Main courses were Porky Pork Glazed pork cheek, parsley purée and all spice – red wine sauce and Open Sesame! Deep fried Jerusalem artichoke, oyster mushrooms and sesame mayonnaise

Tender pork was delicious and nicely placed on the plate.

Name of the vegan main course was interesting, sesame was not so dominant taste as one could think. Anyway as mentioned before huge improvement in vegans versions compared to first visit August 2016.

However, without side dishes, Roasted Potatoes and Roster Coleslaw, portions would have been too small.


Roster Helsinki is combination of fine dining in casual athmosphere. Dishes are ambitious and their names entertaining.

If you reserve table enough early, ask for window table. Havis Amanda Square opens up just front of the restaurant.

Although gave food better points than did when visiting first time, new way to price wines decreases overall grade.

REVIEW: FOOD 4,5/5 – SERVICE 4+/5 – OVERALL GRADE 4/5

https://rosterhelsinki.com/





Wine review: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2017 and Albert Bichot Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2017

17 11 2017

 

Beaujolais Nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France. Wine is released for sale on the third Thursday of November. “Beaujolais Nouveau Day” used to see heavy marketing, with races to get the first bottles to different markets around the globe. But not any more, even labels seem to be same

The current release practice is to ship the wine ahead of the third Thursday of November, and release it to the local markets at 00.01 AM local time. In Finland Alko, monopoly company selling wines and alcohol, starts selling these wines at 09.00 on Thursday 16th November, 2017.

This year wines available from Alko were Albert Bichot Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau and Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau. So no changes compared to last year.

 

THE LOOK

Albert Bichot did not have time to renew label? One fun part are the labels which are colorful and creative. Luckily Georges Duboeuf did not dissappoint.

Both wines are almost violet, blue-reddish like young wines always are. But I think this year they are darker than last year.

THE NOSE

Fruity, even sweet aroma especially when using tasting glass. Rasberry and fruit candy scent came in to the nose from both wines.

It seems that Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau has more deep bouquet again.

THE TASTE

Young, light fruity wines. Berries dominate, but on the other hand taste is skinny. Aroma is better than taste, but with street food and pizzas, both wines pair basically ok.

Facts:

                             Georges Duboeuf                                        Albert Bichot
Alcohol:        13,00 %                                             13,00 %
Acidity:         5,2 g/l                                               5,5 g/l
Energy:         80 kcal / 100 ml (280 kJ / 100 ml)   70 kcal / 100 ml (290 kJ / 100 ml)

 

Albert Bichot cost 0,50€ more, why? Same label as last year, more modest taste.

 

REVIEW:

Georges Duboeuf  OVERALL GRADE 3,5/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ++/+++

Albert Bichot OVERALL GRADE 3/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +/+++