Restaurant review: Roster Helsinki – Wappu Eve dinner

20 05 2018
Roster is a Bar & Restaurant near Market Square opposite to statue of Havis Amanda. Always full in the evenings as far as when it comes to those visits been there.
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Visited Roster this time on the 30th of April 2018, which is Eve for Wappu (Vappu), the day before May Day. Had not make table reservation because the plan was only to have drinks at the bar. But luckily asked for table and got the best table possible to watch capping of statue of Havis Amanda. There are two tables facing to the statue by the window. One has to sit side by side because the table is like a window ledge. One can not reserve these tables, but on the other hand, sitting there is not so convenient as in “normal” table.
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In the short video clip one can see waving of secondary school graduate caps before the statue gets it’s own huge cap. Video was filmed through the window while having dinner.
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As mentioned earlier had the drinks in the bar. Champagne Taittinger tasted refreshing, it was the champagne of the day.

 

Starters were Carrotofu Charred carrot, yuzu and crispy tofu and Straight Outta Sea Cured salmon, crispy rye and roe emulsion

Tofu and carrot were excellent, the way dish was prepared was master piece. As menu changes quite often it provides new experiences also for vegans.

Salmon was fresh, almost like straight from the Baltic sea. Always nice to taste new ways to to serve traditional Finnish food which is more typical in the Christmas time.

 

For main coursed had vegan dish Jerusalem Art Artichoke terrine, marinated chard and savory mayonnaise and Mighty Sole Pan fried whole torbay Sole, grilled cos lettuce and Green Goddess sauce.

Artichoke was tasty and matched well with side dishes. Roster has always had excellent vegan choises.

Fish was perfectly fried, not over cooked, which would make it chewy. One of the best thing about Sole is that fish bones do not bother at all. Still you get all the taste which they can provide. Grilled salad was delicious, have also tried that at home, and it is easy. But what makes it tasty, is the sauce and that is more difficult part.

And always tasty side dishes, Roasted Potatoes and Cauliflower with Satay sauce, made the portions fill the stomachs.

 

Most of the times have visited Roster, the wine has been Ned & Henry’s from Hewitson. This wine suits to all dishes even with the fish, which was proven with starter and main course.

For second aperitif tasted house Sima, which is made only for Wappu from water, brown sugar, lemons and yeast. If you wait enough long yeast and sugar start to produce alcohol and then you have close to cider kind of drink

Roster Helsinki is combination of fine dining in casual athmosphere. Dishes are ambitious and their names entertaining. The menu which was served was vol. 10. Quite soon early May there is new menu available.

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

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

https://rosterhelsinki.com/


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Categories : Finland, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Restaurant, Restaurant review, Travel, Wine

Restaurant review: Ristorante Vaelsa

13 05 2018


Ristorante e Taverna Vaelsa is located by Market Square, at Pohjoisesplanadi 9 in the historic Govinius building. At the 2nd floor there is restaurant (Ristorante) serving more sophisticated menu and downstairs is taverna, which serves pizzas and some salads. Vaelsa‘s kitchen combines local food and classic Italian cuisine with a modern twist.

Had dinner at Ristorante when it was full of diners. Also Taverna was packed, reflects the popularity of this concept. Sign of popularity!

As an appetizer Vaelsa serves foccaccia with pesto made from green olives. Nice snack, especially when pesto was so tasty.

For starters ordered Polpo arrosto and Insalata di verza.

Fried octopus with bean mousse and winter salad was delicious. Crispy pieces of octopus with mousse paired well. Only what was missing were double amount of polpo, so fresh and well prepared it tasted.

Savoy cabbage salad with cumin, apple and salad was also very tasty. Vegan version included also vegan mayonnaise, which is not so common yet.

For main courses had Pappardelle al cacao and Ravioli.

Cocoa pappardelle pasta in a juniper spiced wild boar sauce was on of the best pasta dishes ever eaten. Vaelsa makes their own pasta, so it is fresh and cooked as one want’s it to be. Sauce with pieces of wild boar was bull’s eye, juniper flavour was pleasant surprise. One can also order pasta as Primi Piatti, then the portion is smaller and costs less.

Pumpkin filled ravioli was prepared as vegan, cream sauce was replaced with suitable ingredients. Again well done by the kitchen.

Tested also vegan dessert Torta Riso, Rice-chocolate cake. Sweet and luscious!

Location is excellent, just opposite to Market Square. And if you get window table like our group, it is nice to watch the crowds outside.

Service was professional, only problems was, that as on the other side of table was wall, waiter had to give few plates from other side of the table. If you want to visit Ristorante, better make table reservation, to Taverna you can just walk in and check if there are free tables. There is also tiny bar for drinks just after the entrance.

Visited Vaelsa in March, yesterday when there was suprisingly warm day, had beer’s at the terrace. Worth to visit also!

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

http://vaelsa.fi/ristorante/


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Categories : Bar, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Restaurant, Restaurant review, Travel, Wine