Food and Wine | Reijosfood

Wine review: Bernard-Massard Cuvée de l’Ecusson Brut – sparkling pearl from Luxembourg

5 06 2014

A family managed company, Bernard-Massard is the main producer of traditional method sparkling wines of Luxembourg

After more than 92 years of existence, company remains true to the values of quality and entrepreneurship of the founder Jean Bernard-Massard. As of today, Bernard-Massard is Luxembourg’s first privately owned wine producer with about 4 million bottles leaving yearly our cellars.

Beside a strong presence in Belgium, Cuvees are well represented in countries like Finland. It is nice to see that Finland is important market for Bernard-Massard. Wonder if it is available in the biggest markets like Germany and of course France?

Tasted Bernard-Massard Cuvée de l’Ecusson Brut is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Riesling grapes. Quite a mix, but not in bad sense. The finest of Bernard-Massard’s Cuvées since 1971, the Cuvée de l’Ecusson range epitomises the expertise of the company which affords this Cuvée its place amongst the most interesting European sparkling wines.

THE LOOK

Light yellow, almost translucent. Small bubbles which rise from the bottom of glass in continuous stream.

THE NOSE

The scent is delicate, some citrus and pear but need to sniff carefully. As we tasted wine is different glasses, also bouquet varied.

THE TASTE

Although wine is brut, amount of sugar is more than usually in dry wines and that can be noticed in taste. Could found some fruits but was also as delicate as was scent. Tasted wine in different glasses and there was clear differences to be found.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol: 12,00 %
Extract : 31 g/l
Acidity: 6,6 g/l
Sugar: 13 g/l
Energy : 80 kcal / 100 ml (330 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure: natural cork

I am not sure, if 13 g/l sugar categorizes Bernard-Massard Cuvée de l’Ecusson Brut as brut wine. However, this is one of the easiest sparkling wines to start tasting, (if you do not have found world of bubbling drinks yet). Exellent aperitif and pairs well with different kind of foods, even with desserts due to sugar.

As we tasted this wine with different champagne glasses, review of those glasses will follow.

REVIEW: OVERALL GRADE 4+/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++/+++

http://www.bernard-massard.lu/en/

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Tags: Bernard-Massard, Bernard-Massard Cuvée de l'Ecusson Brut, Champagne, Luxembourg, sparkling wine, Wine
Categories : Champagne, Food, Food and Wine, Wine, Wine review

Restaurant review: PureBistro – with Bib Gourmand status

1 06 2014

PureBistro is a modern bistro and bar with two terraces next to the Market Square in Torikorttelit buildings. Restaurant is owned by Michelin star restaurant Luomo (on the 2nd floor) chef”s Jouni Toivanen and Mika Mattila. That explains partly why PureBistro is one of the five Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants in Helsinki and earns to keep that status.

Dining room at PureBistro is quite small and therefore in the summer time you might decide to dine outside, if temperature allows that, which it did not on the last day of May. If you dine inside, ask for window table and you can enjoy sea view and observe bustle at the Market Square. That is exactly whatwe did.

Menu is short – 3 starters, 3 main courses and 2 desserts. If you choose 3 course dinner, the price is 45€. One option is to have drink at the bar and taste some small bites, in Finnish Snadit. As English and Finnish versions of the names of the portions are not exactly the same, I included both language versions.

After placing order customers will get fresh bread paper bag on the table.

Starters we ordered had fancy names; Hamashi Sashimi with Avocado & Seaweed Piikkimakrillisashimia, avokadokreemiä, soijaa ja levää and Carpaccio, Bloody Mary Sorbet & Tallowvinegar Kotimaista rotukarjaa, bloody mary sorbet ja emmentalia.

Sashimi was fresh and side dishes accompanied fish in oriental portion well. Lack of salt was only minus. Beef carpaccio was so soft that it could have eaten with spoon. I am not sure if kitchen tried to create picture of hedgehog on the plate, but portion looked like it.

For main courses we had two times Fried Trout, Cauliflower & Cassis Ahvenanmaan taimenta, kukkakaalia ja herukkaa but requested some changes to one of them. Restaurant created excellent version of this portion by replacing cauliflower with ratatouille.

Trout itself was perfectly fried, you could also eat fish skin as it was enough crispy. And what is most important, fish was not over-fried which happens too often also in so called good restaurants.

For desserts ordered Tosca, VanillaIceCream & MilkXoco Toscakakkua, vaniljajäätelöä ja maitosuklaata and “Macedonia De Frutas” Liqourice “Hedelmäsalaattia” ja lakritsisorbettia.

Tosca cake was scrumptious. Amount of toffee sauce was maybe too much, but had to eat all of it anyway. Take a look at how fruits and sorbet was placed on the plate! PureBistro really has an artist in the kitchen, remember the hedgehog.

Had to order bottle of Tesch 1 Liter Riesling for two reasons; riesling weeks with special menus had just ended but Tesch riesling was still available and the unsual size of the bottle (1 liter) is rare apparition.

Wine paired well with all dishes we had; well, maybe not with desserts. Dry, about 6 g/l sugar if I remember right what waitress told, and balanced acidity and minerality.

As we got window table, overall grade is 4,5. Propably next time we shall dine at the terrace; waiting for warmer summer days….Service is in balance with kitchen’s creativeness and skills.

PureBistro is genuine Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant and actually one of the first fine dining bistro type of restaurants in Helsinki. Nowadays there are several sophisticated bistro restaurants close to each other, like Gastrobar Emo, Gastropub Rikhard’s, Spis and Copa’s y Tapas. Reviews of there restaurants can be found by using search. Also previous PureBistro reviews can be found the same way.

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

purebistro.fi

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Tags: food, Helsinki, Michelin Bib Gourmand, PureBistro, restaurant, restaurant review, riesling, Tesch, Wine
Categories : Bar, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Restaurant, Restaurant review

Restaurant review: Toscanini

25 05 2014

Restaurant Toscanini has received its relaxed atmosphere from Tuscany, Italy. Menu is based on essential elements of Italian kitchen, such as olive oil, herbs, tomatoes and Tuscan cheeses and cold cuts. In addition, bread is baked daily by restaurants own baker, or is it?

Location is perfect, almost opposite of Svenska Teatern and Stockmann. Famous BW- restaurants, Gaijin and Boulevard Social are neighbors. Being part of Klaus K hotel means that many of the dining customers also enjoy luxorious hotel premises. Design hotel with white decoration in the lobby. Klaus K and it’s restaurants were recently acquired by Kämp Group which might have been the reason for lame service.

Because of excellent weather we had late lunch at the terrace. No one wants to eat in as you can see from the picture above.

Started lunch with Campari Sodas which is always appropriate way to lead to the right mood. Bread basket came right away after ordering; foccaccia was not as fresh as it should have been, but tapenade was delicious.

Lunch started with Antipasto variety for two including two type of salami’s, parmesan cheese, small olives, artichokes, grilled sweet peppers and mushrooms.

If restaurant is Italian, it can not flop in serving traditional Italian starters. Nor did Toscanini. Everything on the plate was perfect, fresh and you could imagine to be in Tuscany.

For main courses we had Sautéed fillet of cod with seafood flavoured Nerone rice and Braised lamb neck with fried lemon polenta and Marsala sauce.

Unfortunately these portions brought us back to Helsinki and Bulevardi. Cod was way too much over-salted but shrimps and octopus pieces in rice compensated a little bit. Lamb was tender but dry and it seemed that salt had been completely forgotten. Wonder if polenta had been prepared at the restaurant kitchen, because it tasted and felt like industrialized product?

Service was this time the weakest link. We have been at Toscanini several times before, but now there were too many failures.

We had to order mineral water twice, had to remind waiter to bring wine glasses (soave and chianti of course) we had ordered and never got menu back again in order to be able choose desserts. Therefore just ordered coffees and chardonnay grappa. As I wrote earlier company has new owner, which may have impacted to the service, if employees are worried about restaurant’s future.

Toscanini used to participate in Taste of Helsinki, but not this year. Will miss tiramisu they have served there.

It is always great to eat outdoors, at nice terrace, therefore overall grade is higher.

REVIEW: FOOD 3+/5 – SERVICE 3-/5 – OVERALL GRADE 4-/5

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Tags: Antipasto, food, Helsinki, italian restaurant, Klaus K, restaurant, Toscanini
Categories : Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Restaurant, Restaurant review

Wine review: Wolfberger Riesling-Pinot Gris 2012 – dry or semi-dry?

24 05 2014

Semi-dry or semi-sweet wine? If the amount of sugar is 8 g/l what kind of scale there is on the label? Maybe someone knows better?

Wolfberger is cooperative in Alsace established 1902. It is located in Colmar, Eguisheim south-west of the city. Wolfberger annually produces about 13 million bottles of wine. The size of wineyard is about 1 200 hectares.

Wolfberger Riesling-Pinot Gris 2012 has been blended with Riesling (60%) and Pinot Gris (40%) grapes. Wine got certificate of honor in Series 08: the white wines, the price of over 11€ in “Wines of the Year 2014” competition. This is maybe the most known Finnish competition for wines. http://www.vuodenviinit.fi/en/

THE LOOK

Light yellow with strong shade of green

THE NOSE

More Pinot Gris than Riesling although it should be opposite; slightly flowery bouquet, similar to citrus and ripe green apples

THE TASTE

Quite dry, lightly tart, ripe citrus, peach, pale floral and light minerals

Facts and figures:

Alcohol: 12,50 %
Extract: 27 g/l
Acidity: 7,5 g/l
Sugar: 8 g/l
Energy: 80 kcal / 100 ml (340 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure: metal screw cap

Wine paired with Italian food nicely. We had bruschetta with fresh tomato slices and chicken pasta with cream-honey-spices sauce and blue cheese. Also suits well with fish and shellfish.

Misleading information on the label may make you purchase more dry wine you planned. Therefore points drop a little bit lower than wine would otherwise earn.

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

http://www.wolfberger.com/

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Tags: food, white wine, Wine, Wine review, Wolfberger, Wolfberger Riesling-Pinot Gris 2012
Categories : Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Wine, Wine review

Taste of Helsinki 2014 – Picnic with a difference

22 05 2014

Taste of Helsinki will be arranged 3rd time on 12-15.06.2014 in Helsinki. This will also be the 3rd time we shall visit the event.

Taste of Helsinki is a culinary festival, which takes you on a journey through the gourmet flavours of the city. It is also unique chance to get familiar with fine dining restaurants at the same time without paying high prices for gourmet food. But after you have tasted portions available, you might want to visit one or two of them.

Last year our favorite portions were:

SALMON from Rørvik with spring potatoes from Merimasku (restaurant Olo)

NECK OF WILD BOAR with false morel pie and sauce of raspberry leaves (restaurant Juuri)

This year following restaurants will participate Taste of Helsinki:

Ask (1 Michelin star and restaurant of the year 2014)

Bertha (fine dining at Tampere)

Demo (1 Michelin star)

Emo (Michelin Bib Gourmand)

Farang (Michelin Bib Gourmand)

Juuri (Finnish restaurant, restaurant of the year 2010)

Kaartin Hodari & Hummeri (gourmet hot dogs)

Bistro o Mat (fine dining at Kirkkonummi)

Postres (1 Michelin star)

Sami Tallberg (herb specialist chef)

Smakbyn Åland (fine dining at Åland)

Yes, you see exactly right. 3 out of 5 (no, the amount is 6) Michelin star restaurants in Helsinki will participate!

If you do not yet have tickets, you better purchase them soon. You do not want to miss this picnic! Anyway, post will follow after event.

http://www.tasteofhelsinki.fi/en

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Tags: food, Helsinki, Michelin Bib Gourmand, Michelin star restaurants, restaurant, Taste of Helsinki
Categories : Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Travel

Review: Spaghetti Opera – Show & Dinner

18 05 2014

Humorous Spaghetti Opera is three-course meal and show package which is presented at Helsinki Music Centre (Musiikkitalo). Spaghetti Opera twists and turns of the winding up of Mozart’s opera buffet–style. At that time, the opera was a popular entertainment, listened with picnic baskets or sitting at the dinner tables.

The music in show was gathered from known and most popular opera songs like Mozart and Vivaldi, and they are song in the original Italian, as well as a fun, musical re-Finnish translations. Presentation costumes and expression takes out the most of the opera world’s delicious clichés.

Simple buffet included following dishes:

Prawns fried in garlic butter on the rocket–melon salad, lemon aioli

Roasted red peppers, asparagus salad, pecorino cheese

Air–dried pork neck ravioli salad

Ciabatta and foccacia, tapenade
• • • • •
Chicken breast stuffed with mozzarella, tomato and white wine sauce

Sliced potatoes seasoned with sage

Roasted spring onions and carrots
• • • • •
Tiramisu and coffee / tea

Food itself was quite OK. Salads were fresh and olive tapenade excellent. Chicken was a little bit dry, but it is difficult to prepare it for buffet because it might stay too long in the heater. Tiramisu was sweet and moist like it should be. We also got lactose-free cake instead of tiramisu which demonstrated flexibility of kitchen.

There were some differences on the serving table compared to menu. Could not find lemon aioli, think is should have been in separate bowl. Only ciabatta, at least we did see any foccaccia. Chicken breast was not stuffed with mozzarella, some cheese might have been on the top of chicken.

Show was brilliant! Story was about dandy and two sisters in triangle drama. Snobbish dandy role was played credibly and with talent. He tried to dupe two sisters but they set up trap and dandy was beaten. Actors or singers were from music theatre Kapsäkki which is coalition of actors and singers.

Wine list was so short that we could not find white (2) or red (2) wine to accompany food. Therefore only option was to order cava which suited for dinner enough well. Unfortunately restaurant did not know how cava should be served because we had to ask for cooler. Other diners drinking cava just settled for warming up their cava bottle on the table. And the “cooler” which we got, was actually red wine pitcher. There was some ice at the bottom of “cooler” but cava bottle did not even touch ice cubes.

There are couple of theatre restaurants serving dinner during show but frivolous opera is refreshing way to replace theatrical presentation.

When serving improves this may be hit in the future. Vodka Martini for aperitif was served in wine class, already told about the cooler, …. But part of clumsiness was compensated by not taking charge of aperitifs. Therefore overall grade is 4 and show earns anyway 4,5.

REVIEW: FOOD 3,5/5 – SERVICE 3-/5 – SHOW – 4,5/5 – OVERALL GRADE 4/5

http://www.musiikkitalo.fi/en

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Tags: Helsinki, Helsinki Music Centre, Kapsäkki, Mozart, Musiikkitalo, Opera
Categories : Food and Wine, Helsinki, Restaurant

Restaurant review: La Reserva 12 – Malaga, Spain

16 05 2014

La Reserva 12, located in the center of Malaga, next to the Larios Street, Constitution Square, the Picasso Museum and the Thyssen Museum, is qenuine Spanish restaurant.

Restaurant has terrace, which seemed to be always reserved during lunch and dinner times, stylish tapas bar and dining rooms at the 2nd floor. You can see after stepping in that you have entered into fish restaurant. That might be the reason why locals enjoyed the place. We did not see any tourists in this restaurant during our dinner neither at the terrace when we passed it by several times during our stay in Malaga.

First of all you must order cava, if you dine at Spanish restaurant. Actually we tried to order Gramona III Lustros, but it was finished. That dropped overall grade right away. Instead we had Gramona Imperial which was anyway good choice. You can buy that also from Alko stores in Finland, but it costs more than in this stylish restaurant (VAT….). Cava is made from Xarel.lo, Macabeo and Chardonnay grapes; Chardonnay makes the cava taste balanced and therefore extremely enjoyable.

For starters we ordered Spanish Potato Salad with Prawns – Ensaladilla Rusa con Langostinos and Baby Squid – Calamaritos.

Potato salad was excellent and it really included prawns. At restaurant reviewed in coming post we had totally different portion. For one person amount of mayonnaise would have been too much but as we shared starters, no problem with that.

Baby squids were hot, fresh, crisp and tasty; just as they should be. Some lemon drops on top of calmaritos and plate was quickly emptied. Excellent kick-off for the dinner.

For main course ordered two Grilled Sole – Lenguado a la Plancha portions which is always easier for the kitchen.

Fish was also delicious, perfectly fried and no sauce at all to ruin it. Side dishes were simple but as sole is also quite simple, and also easiest fish to get rid of fish bones, they paired well. Starters were quite big, so it was easy decision to focus on fish.

This time no dessert as it was quite late and starters made their job.

Our hotel (Molina Lario) was only few steps away from La Reserva 12. First we wondered, if restaurant just placed reserved signs on the table in order to bluff, but every day all tables were occupied by diners at lunch and dinner times. Also tapas bar seemed to be crowded, especially in the evenings.

Pictures are taken at times when dinner time has not yet started and after it. Finns usually eat a little bit earlier than rest of the Europe.

La Reserva 12 is right place if you are looking for genuine Spanish athmosphere and Spanish dishes. You will not see tourists like in almost every other restaurant or tapas bar near pedestrian precinct and old town.

Service was a little bit rigid but polite. I believe restaurant tried their best in the dining rooms also when it comes to interior; and as a matter in fact they managed quite well. Worth to visit, if you are in Malaga.

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

http://www.restaurantelareserva12.com/EN

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Tags: cava, La Reserva 12, Malaga, restaurant, sole, Spanish restaurant, tapas, tapas bar
Categories : Food, Food and Wine, Restaurant, Restaurant review

Restaurant review: Rikhards Gastropub – Chef Hans Välimäki is back!

13 05 2014

2 Michelin star chef Hans Välimäki is back in business with new restaurant concept. Restaurants were opened early May in the same building where Chez Domique located.

Välimäki is fine dining restaurant with only 8 seats and Rikhards Gastropub more casual place, but with a touch of gourmet. As we received early warning that bookings can be made, we managed to get table less than two weeks from opening of Rikhards.

Decoration of Rikhards Gastropub is like name indicates; pub-styled, masculine and a little bit gloomy. Customers had not yet totally found restaurant, as there were empty tables in the late evening.

Restaurant Välimäki was behind closed doors, but it seemed to be booked-up. 1st Tasting menu with wines costs there a little bit over 300€ per person.

For starters decided to try 4 different portions: ”BAGNA GAUDA” Tarragon & watercress dip w/ season’s vegetables à la Master Ducasse…, ”POP CORN” Seaweed & chicken skin served with sesame, soy & truffle sour cream, SPICY CHICKEN WINGS (HV´S CHICKEN BASKET) Served glazed with kimchi mayonnaise. “Sticky fingers…” and NEW POTATOES WITH HAUGESUND HERRING New potatoes, dill butter & herring caviar.

Waiter suggested to start with “Pop Corn” which was brilliant idea. The dish, you can not get in any other restaurant, was extremely interesting; tasted like pop corn but fortunately impossible to find out taste of chicken skin. Eaten with fingers this starter with dips was excellent. “Pop Corn”, would say is more or less appetizer, because you do not seem to eat anything, threfore it requires another starter to accompany.

Then we tasted herring caviar with potatoes. Caviar was hidden under the potatoes and “oh boy” it was delicious. Must have been smash hit on May Day lunch! As starter has three potatoes, you would not necessarily need to order any other starters.

Then chicken wings, suitably spicy and not too sweet; with mayonnaise really scrumptious combination. Ended starters with fresh vegetables; again the dip was excellent.

For main courses we had ”BANGERS & MASH” Salsiccia sausages with potato mash, cucumber & gravy of course… and TORSKRYGG A Swedish classic: codfish seared in brown butter, egg, shrimps, horseradish & velouté sauce w/ dill & mussel.

Three big, luscious and suitably flavored Italian sausages where on the top of mashed potatoes. Must say that if you want to eat all three, take light starter. One mistake was that cucumbers were forgotten, which made the portion look really simple.

Codfish was also delicious. However, the amount of sauce could have been smaller. It seems that main courses are quite sturdy, which suits to the concept.

After Salsiccia sausages (could not eat all three) and codfish still had to try desserts and ordered KAKKUPALA Piece of cake with the sauce you wish and ICE CREAM & SORBETS.

Lemon tart (Kakkupala) was perfect, especially meringue made in the restaurant kitchen, was great. Ordered first toffee ice-cream, but as it was too salty for dessert and got vanilla ice-cream instead.

Food in Rikhards Gastropub is excellent. Hans Välimäki fills the bill which might be quite high due to his previous success. Without those two small slip up’s (forgotten cucumber and toffee ice-cream), food grade would have been close to 5.

Service was professional and polite. I have seen too often hypocritical, over-lively service leaving sometimes feeling you are treated like a child. Here it was better.

Overall grade would be higher, if pub interior would be more soft. And when confirming reservation, restaurant mentioned that table is reserved for 2 hours, which is quite short time for aperitifs, 3 course meal and coffees. 2 1/2 hours would be worth of 4,5 out of 5.

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

http://www.rikhards.fi/

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Tags: Hans Välimäki, restaurant review, Rikhards Gastropub
Categories : Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Restaurant, Restaurant review

Restaurant review: El Meson de Cervantes – Malaga, Spain

8 05 2014

Tapeo Cervantes is already well-known for its traditional and new, creative tapas. Gabriel Spatz, founder of the original, a professional restaurateur from the Argentine, came to Malaga in 2008, decided to stay and opened El Tapeo de Cervantes at Calle Carcer 11 in the old quarter. El Meson de Cervantes was opened later at Calle Alamos 11 in order to meet the demand by customers. Location is at the backyards of old town, far away from tourist flows. Both restaurants are now on Tripadvisor top 3 list.

Main allurement are tapas which you can order in three different sizes; tapas, 1/2 raciones or full raciones. You could also choose from restaurant menu different type of starters, main courses and desserts but menu is quite short. If you want to eat tapas at the dining room, you need to ask them in a polite way, although waiter might say that they are meant to eat at the bar.

We ordered two 1/2 raciones from tapas menu and all the rest from restaurant menu. Actually most of the dishes are the same. Dinner started with Pimientos del Padron, Warm salad of tuna, roasted peppers and green leaves and Patatas bravas.

Small salted green peppers are good choice to compare the quality of restaurant. These were excellent and what is most important, not too salty.

Tuna was perfectly fried as you can see in the picture below, not too well-done; therefore not dry. This portion is not so typical for tapas restaurant, it is an example of the high quality level of el Meson de Cervantes.

When potatoes arrived I first thought that “what the heck”, ketchup! But the sauce was made in restaurant, looked like ketchup and maybe included some, but it was deliciosly spicy. Perfect sauce for patatas bravas.

For main courses we had 1/2 raciones of Argentinian entrecote with fried potatoes, salad and chimichurri, Wild boar stew with sweet Malaga wine sauce and crispy rosti and full portion of Racion del dia which was Dorada fish with fennel.

Entrecote was medium as requested, proof can be found in the picture below. Stew was excellent, some exotic spice made it one of the best dishes of the dinner. However, rosti was no so crisp but that did not bother.

Fish, in turn, was a slight dissappointment. It was prepared too early and fish skin was not anymore crisp.

After main course we tasted some Manchego cheese which was quite young. Maybe serving cheeses of different ages would have made the gusto inclusive.

Dinner ended with Apple tart and vanilla ice-cream which was bull’seye. Difficult to beat warm, sweet and soft apple pie with cold ice-cream….

And the red wine…excellent choice. Wineyard states: “Deep, intense red with notes of ripe red fruit, tobacco, cedar, and truffles on the nose: very clean, intense aromas. Good body on the palate, with fine tannins from careful barrel-ageing, and very well-balanced. Ample mouth-feel with light notes of liquorice and a long, silky and elegant finish”. Exactly what 200 Monges Reserva 2006 was. Tempranillo 85% made the softness, Graciano 10% and Garnacha 5% gave the character. If this was reserva, would definately like to taste gran reserva.

El Meson de Cervantes serves premium tapas and Spanish food in a relaxed athmosphere. If you decide to dine at restaurant you can watch chef’s preparing portions in the open kitchen. You can also eat in more restful environment and enjoy to be served by professional waiters. Tapas bar provides opportunity for close social interaction. It was so crowded with customers that it was hard to get through when leaving. Restaurant is the place to visit out of hundreds of tapas bars and restaurants in Malaga, if you travel there.

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

http://www.elmesondecervantes.com/eng/index.html

http://www.vinicolareal.com/vinos.php?familia_vinos=31&id_vino=1

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Tags: 200 Monges Reserva 2006, El Meson de Cervantes, food, Malaga, restaurant review, tapas
Categories : Bar, Food, Food and Wine, Restaurant, Restaurant review, Travel

May Day (1st of May) brunch

1 05 2014

1st of May (Vappu) is peculiar in Finland because similar celebrations can be seen only if Finland wins World Hockey Championships or Eurovision Song Contest (latter has happened only once). It is also typical for Finns to enjoy May Day brunch or lunch at restaurants or have picnic in Kaivopuisto (if one lives in Helsinki). Unfortunately our climate does not favor so often outdoor picnics; no exception this year, only +5C degrees and rainy!

But May Day in Malaga, Spain is somewhat different. Temperature is more convenient and no celebration at all. Similarites are bank holiday and food, you have to eat anyway.

Have a nice Wappu!

Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: Brunch, Malaga, May Day, Spain, vappu
Categories : Food, Food and Wine, Hotel, Travel

Wine review: Wagner Stempel Siefersheimer Weissburgunder 2012

26 04 2014

Weissburgunder as a grape sounds exotic, but it is German version of Pinot Blanc. Pinot Blanc has also been confused with Chardonnay, because wineries often vinify it in a similar style using barrel fermentation, new oak and malolactic fermentation.

Wagner Stempel Siefersheimer Weissburgunder 2012 comes from Weingut Wagner-Stempel in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen. The foundation for the Wagner estate was laid in 1845. Nowadays wineyards concentrate on the classical grape varieties such as Silvaner, Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder) and more especially Riesling, and converted to organic production methods.

THE NOSE

Some fruits, mainly citrus. Actually takes some time to get out of scents.

THE LOOK

Like yellow plum with touch of green shade.

THE TASTE

You can actually notice Chardonnay type of features like oak and barrel fermentation. However, the taste has more acidity than chardonnay grape has. Dry, some minerals and herbs but as friends of more full-bodied wines, this feels a little bit lackluster. Pinot Blanc as a grape is challenging and it requires mildly spiced food to accompany.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol: 13.00 %
Extract: 27 g/l
Acidity: 5.3 g/l
Sugar: 7 g/l
Energy: 80 kcal / 100 ml (350 kJ / 100 ml)
Closure: natural cork

Wagner Stempel Siefersheimer Weissburgunder 2012 is in a way elegant wine but if you look for more strong sensory experiences you should choose grape which is more versatile. This pinot blanc is perfect with white meated fishes, chicken and salads which do not have too much spices. Relatively high price is propably due to organic wineyards which Wagner- Stempel have. Sustainable wine production might be benefit some day.

OVERALL GRADE 3+/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +(+)/+++

http://www.wagner-stempel.de/en

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Tags: Pinot Blanc, Wagner Stempel, Wagner Stempel Siefersheimer Weissburgunder 2012, Weissburgunder, white wine, Wine review
Categories : Food and Wine, Wine, Wine review

Restaurant review: Torero – Spanish whiff

23 04 2014

Torero is Spanish type of restaurant chain locating in 5 cities on the same premises as Sokos Hotels. Same Spanish concept is used in Sevilla restaurants in the capital area. We dined at Torero Joensuu during Eastern time.

Menu consists of pinchos, tapas, fish and meat from the grill and other delicious sounding food. You could even order paella, which is not the easiest one to prepare.

After ordering we were first served warm tomato-goat cheese soup with fresh bread. Quite nice gesture from the chain restaurant to serve actually quite delicious appetizer. Have you ever served real appetizer in chain restaurants?

As friends of tapas we decided to try them as starters. We ordered Tapas Penedes Piquillo peppers filled with cream cheese and chorizo groats, Tapas Las Palmas (what a name…) Chicken breast, celery salad, piquillo peppers and chorizo crumb and Pimiento de Padron Salted sweet green peppers.

Green peppers were as good as in most places in Spain, enough soft and not too much salted. Chicken breast was the weakest link, meat was already dry but celery salad compensated a little bit. Piquillo peppers were also excellent, maybe a little bit too much cream cheese but it did not bother.

For main courses we had 2 x Chicken breast, creamy sherry pepper sauce, Spanish vegetables and French fries and 2 x Grilled salmon, shellfish sauce, roasted beetroot, pak choi, roasted almonds and tortilla española.

Chicken portion was not so Spanish as it could be; why not includ Papas Arragudas instead of French fries? Did not either understand why vegetables were Spanish; standard oven vegetables. However, for chain restaurant, basic portion. Salmon was overcooked but beetroot was roasted perfectly. If you like Spanish omelette, you would have liked this one.

For wine we chose Chilean Tormenta from Viogner grapes from Torres, which paired well with all dishes. Grapes are organically grown which makes the purchase more sustainable.

Torero is good choice for hotel restaurant, if you like Spanish-style food. Suggest to focus on tapas and pinchos because they are delicious. Of course every dish is not made from the very beginning in the kitchen but you get full belly and mostly can enjoy the food.

REVIEW: FOOD 3+/5 – SERVICE 4-/5 – OVERALL GRADE 3,5/5

http://www.raflaamo.fi/torero

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Tags: restaurant review, Sokos Hotels, Spanish restaurant, tapas, Torero, Torres
Categories : Food, Food and Wine, Restaurant, Restaurant review

Wine review: Weingut Liebfrauenstift 2012 Trocken Riesling

12 04 2014

Our favorite and trusted choice, Weingut Liebfrauenstift 2012 Trocken Riesling, finally now reviewed!

Right inside the urban boundaries of the German city of Worms, ancient brick walls shelter a piece of living history. This is where, around the former Monastery of THE Lady (Liebfrauenstift),wines have been growing for five hundred years. Historical sandstone walls help create the special microclimate of the Liebfrauenstift-Kirchenstück vineyard in Worms. Together with the mineral-rich muddy soil of the site and the proximity of the Rhine, which provides the water, they lend the vines thriving there their unique wealth of aromas.

This wine is easy choice to start tasting rieslings. Not too much acidity either petrol or minerals compared to strongest rieslings.

THE LOOK

Typical riesling color, light yellow straw.

THE NOSE

Fruity apple and peach and fresh citrus aromas

THE TASTE

Dry, fruity and fresh. Pleasent amount of minerals and petrol if at all.

Weingut Liebfrauenstift 2012 Trocken Riesling is perfect wine for aperitif and pairs extremely well with white fishes like lavaret. So far have not found this riesling in any other restaurant than Blue Peter and it is not available at Alko. Should be because it would help in starting getting familiar with world of rieslings.

OVERALL GRADE 4,5/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++ / +++

http://www.liebfrauenstift.com/en/index.html

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Tags: riesling, Trocken Riesling, Weingut, Weingut Liebfrauenstift 2012 Trocken Riesling, white wine, Wine, Wine review
Categories : Food, Food and Wine, Wine, Wine review

Restaurant review: Bronda – 4th BW restaurant in Helsinki

9 04 2014

Bronda, the 4th restaurant in Helsinki by Tomi Björck and Matti Wikberg, opened it’s doors on Monday 10th, 2014. Located on the corner of Eteläesplanadi and Korkeavuorenkatu, large space with high ceilings and big windows with otherwise plain interior design, offer interesting dining experience. Nautical roof lamps and mirrors on the wall are eye catchers.

The lounge bar is open until late and it offers view to Park Esplanade. It surely will be one of the most busiest bar in the district.

Bronda name comes from the building restaurant is located.

Bronda’s dishes should reflect Europe and particularly countries Spain, Italy and France. The food is meant to be shared as in other BW restaurants Farang*, Gaijin* and Boulevard Social (*reviews available on reijosfood.com). Bronda concept is copied from those succesful Bib Gourmand restaurants; even same drinks with same exotic names are served.

First look at the menu was challenging; you could choose from snacks, fresh and/or warm dishes. So we decided to choose one of the two tasting menus, Menu Esplanad, with suggested wines.

Dinner started with Sashimi, aioli prawns and sorrel which were served on a wooden plate. Sashimi was prepared from lavaret (whitefish). Fish was soft and mellow and shrimps were fresh of course. In overall excellent combination after sorrel soup was poured into the bowls.

Second dish was Beef tartar with butter milk and dried bread. If your read menu, you can see that there are lot’s of different ingredients used. I am not sure, if we could find all of them, but beef was tender anyway. This was also the first dish to be shared, so portion had to be divided in two parts.

Then we were served third and fourth dish at the same time; Fish stewed Basque style and Risotto Milanese. Basque style meant mussels, chorizo and sherry flavored stock. Tempting, but at the same time challenging dish for the kitchen. Fish itself was ok, but one of the 5 mussels had not opened. No chorizo taste at all, actually one small bite was found. Risotto had waited serving some time as it was not so warm anymore. To prepare perfect structure, kitchen needs some more practice.

Last so called main course was dissappointing. On the menu it says Cotoletta which means schnitzel. However, more detailed description tells that you should get crisp pork chop. Bronda served dry Wiener Schnitzel with fennel salad and tomato compote. This dish dropped food grade below 4. I am sure this dish will not be as such on the menu in the future, but side dishes could be the same.

Dessert should have been Tiramisu, but as we had asked one menu lactose-free, one portion was replaced with Lemon pie Bronda without informing beforehand. However, both desserts were delicious and crowned the dinner. Pie included rosemary and thyme which made the experience exciting.

When it comes to recommended wines they are overpriced. You pay 50€ for 2 1/2 glasses of basic wines. Choose instead a bottle or glass from the list, because some wines are quite reasonably priced. For the tasting menu first wine should have been riesling but it was replaced by gruner-veltliner. Second glass, pinot noir, was poured from 1,5 litre bottle. Third, dessert wine, was 5 years old Madeira which paired well with desserts.

Bronda was full when we entered and was still full when we leaved. Relaxed athmosphere and loud background noise make restaurant perfect place for group gatherings. As snacks and some food are served in the bar, it will be the the most succesful part of concept. You can see Park Esplanade from the windows while dining and at the same time can observe other people present in the bar. Although portions are well designed and look impressive, propably food is not the main issue. Main idea is social interaction.

REVIEW: FOOD 3,5/5 – SERVICE 4/5 – OVERALL GRADE 4-/5

http://ravintolabronda.fi/?lang=en

Read also this http://nyt.fi/a1305818948042

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Bronda, food, Helsinki, Park Esplanade, restaurant, restaurant review, Wine
Categories : Bar, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Restaurant, Restaurant review

Restaurant review: Presto – A mangiare!

29 03 2014

Italian restaurant Presto was opened on the 19th February, 2014. Restaurant concept consists of trattoria, caffe bar, prosecco lounge and shop.

Location is excellent, next to the Espa (Park Esplanade) and in the same building as restaurant Savoy. Presto replaced at the same time restaurant Katsomo, which used to serve Savoy theatre customers.

You can find traditional Italian dishes from the a la carte list like bruschetta, pasta, risotto and pizza. One speciality are mozzarella starters, which are served on a wooden plate with side dishes like salami, bresaola or parma ham.

Best way to evaluate the level of Italian kitchen in Finnish restaurant is to try those traditional dishes.

Started the dinner with Aperol Spritz, glass of Prosecco and excellent Focaccia, which was served after placing the order. First restaurant in Helsinki in which I have seen serving Aperol Spritz as aperitif and it is on the drinks menu. Unfortunately it was too dry, not enough Aperol.

Continued with Italian trattoria dishes and ordered for starters Bruschette with Bresaola and from Mozzarella bar Mozzarella di Bufala with artichokes and olives. We did not choose any cold meats with Mozzarella, as we had Bresaola with traditional bread.

Bruschettas were excellent and pieces of Bresaola tender. Could not be better in Italy. Also Mozzarella with side dishes was enjoyable. Soft and moist cheese comes from Italy; therefore difficult to screw up. Some restaurants use mozzarella made from cow milk and that is inexcusable.

For main courses chose Pasta Orecchiette all’arrabiata Pasta with spicy tomato sauce and Salsiccia sausage and Melanzane alla Parmigiana Eggplant casserole.

As pasta’s and one risotto are not listed as “Primi Piatti”, expectation was that they would be enough big to be main courses. Pasta was enough big, but unfortunately it did not meet Italian pasta requirements. Tomato sauce was not enough spicy and it lacked sweetness. Or at least sausages should have been spicy, if sauce was not. Eggplant casserole was luckily delicious which compensated dissappointment is pasta.

Had to try desserts and selected from the list Torta alla Presto Pie of the day and Gelato Self-made ice-creams.

Both were mouth-watering! Lemon pie was really delicous and Peanut ice-cream and Cherry ice-cream one of the best ever tasted. It is possible just to drop by for espresso and dessert, which we shall certainly do.

Presto claims to be trattoria, not ristorante, which is true. Recommend to ask table downstairs or from the small plateau between ground and second floor. You can see Park Esplanade plus downstairs is anyway more lively. Trattoria is on the second floor. Choose that if you want to eat at more restful dining room.

Prosecco Lounge in the 3rd floor has special hours between 16.00 – 18.00 on work days, but is is mainly reserved for theatre visitors. It was empty when we checked it at about 22.00 on Friday evening. The decor is the same as it was in restaurant Katsomo, not Italian type. If you take a closer look at the figures in the pictures on the wall, you might found some interesting.

If pasta would have been better, Presto would have got 4 for food grade. Higher overall grade 4+ comes because of nice concept which has not actually existed in Helsinki before, when it comes to Italian kitchen. Reasonably priced fresh and delicious food (most of them) in an relaxed athmosphere.

Wine list is short but again prices for wine glasses are reasonable. Some local, so called Italian restaurants, serve wine from barrels with low prices but the quality of wines is lousy. Presto serves proper Italian wines, no reason not to choose house wines.

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

http://www.ravintolapresto.fi/

https://www.facebook.com/prestohelsinki

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Tags: Aperol Spritz, bruschetta, Espa, food, Helsinki, Italian kitchen, italian restaurant, Italian wine, Mozzarella di Bufala, Park Esplanade, pasta, pasta all'arrabbiata, Presto, prosecco, restaurant, Restaurant Presto, restaurant review, Wine
Categories : Bar, Food, Food and Wine, Helsinki, Restaurant, Restaurant review, Travel

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Wine review: Weingut Liebfrauenstift 2012 Trocken Riesling

Restaurant review: Bronda – 4th BW restaurant in Helsinki

Restaurant review: Presto – A mangiare!

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