Ice Hockey World Championship 2012 at HARTWALL-AREENA

8 05 2012

Finland, world ice hockey champion from the last year, hosts together with Sweden 2012 games. Picture in the stamp presents one of the greatest goals in ice hockey history. With the puck suction-cupped on, Mikael Granlund brought his stick up and used the crossbar to scrape the puck off. It dropped behind a stunned Russian goalie.  See also You Tube video.

Update: unfortunately no medal this year. Russia won this time, congratulations!

Games in Finland are played at HARTWALL-AREENA in Helsinki. One gets easily hungry watching games but there are plenty of opportunities to dine or have a quick snack. HARTWALL-AREENA has following restaurants from which one could choose for example:

Platinum, fine dining restaurant with a la carte or buffet dining rooms. Trendy and cozy restaurant offers a modern and international menu. Golden Star Cafe, cozy and multifunctional restaurant with a bar. Silver Star Cafe, newly renovated place offering also lunch everyday. Cave restaurant, which is built into the rock; mainly for private occasions. There are also couple of fast food restaurants/cafes/bars.

Ub

http://www.hartwall-areena.com/en/index.php?id=64

All restaurants at Hartwall-Areena are operated by Restel Event Restaurants

http://www.tapahtumaravintolat.fi/en_GB/home

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THE goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRROpiNAvPw

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BTW, Lady Gaga will perform at HARTWALL-AREENA on 27th and 28th August. Tickets for first concert were sold out right away; for 28th concert, tickets are available from 15th May.


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Restaurant review: Teatterin Grilli

1 05 2012

Restaurant Teatteri is one of the most popular places to spend evening in Helsinki night life or to relax at the terrace on warm summer day. Complex consists of dining room Teatterin Grilli, night club, two bars (Kellobaari and Teatteribaari), popular terrace and self-service wine & deli cafe. Decor is modern including pictures/paintings; one can catch a glimpse of those in picture below.

Decided to dine this time on Labour Day or 1st of May Eve instead of having lunch on May Day which is typical lunch and picnic date for celebrating spring and studies.

Teatterin Grilli a la carte list is tempting; many savory dishes which makes difficult to decide what to order. Think I have eaten here best hamburger ever, TG burger, which includes chilli flavoured shrimp mayonnaise and country style potatoes. Would also say it was worth of price 19,10€.

This time ordered for starters Starter selection Creamy langoustine soup, salmon roasted with black pepper and slightly smoked deer which is well qualified combination of single starters and Salmon roasted with black pepper, marinated fennel and avocado crème.
Soup was best part of the selection of 3 starters, otherwise quite ordinary tastes. Nicely arranged on the plate, however.

For main courses ordered  Fried whitefish, puikula potatoes mashed with lemon butter and vendace roe sauce and Grilled halibut, fried salsify and parsley sauce.
 Both fishes were well prepared and cooking time was rightly calculated. One needs to take Side orders for these portions like Country style potatoes, otherwise one might stay hungry. Mashed potatoes were replaced by vegetables; kitchen is ready to make changes if needed.

For dessert had Cheese Plate; manchego, gouda and Peltola blue. Portion could have included fig or fig jam because it was quite dry but Peltola blue is always savory and glass of port wine made it easier to enjoy dining.

Teatterin Grilli is always popular, need to make table reservation in advance. Got email reply in few minutes which might be the record in confirming reservation. Little bit focus on taste of food and restaurant would earn full 4, because all other elements are in good shape.

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

http://www.teatteri.fi/gallery

Ravintola Teatterin grilli


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Restaurant review: Sevilla

21 04 2012

Had late lunch at restaurant Sevilla which serves also Sokos hotel Presidentti customers. One can find Sevilla also in St. Petersburg where there are Sokos hotels. Sevilla tries to be Spanish restaurant with wide tapas selection, Spanish name and menu which is also in Spanish.  Having dined there couple of times tapas portions have been quite well prepared and tasty as there were this time. Location; 50 meters from shopping center Kamppi.

Ordered 4 tapas portions which we shared.  CHILI MARINATED SHRIMPS AND AIOLI Gambas peladas y macerados en salsa picante con alioli,  SELECTION OF SPANISH CHEESES Selección de quesos españoles i.e.  Cabrales blue cheese Mahón and Manchego cheese, figs and fig balsami,  LAMB MEATBALLS AND CHORIZO Albóndigas de cordero y chorizo  GARLIC BREAD Pan de ajo. Shrimps were good but aioli needed more taste. Would have ordered something else instead of cheeses as they were quite modest. One meatball with chorizo was OK and garlic bread with whole cloves of garlic was almost better than in Spain.

For main course 2x PEPPER CHICKEN Pollo a la pimienta i.e. Succulent wing-boned chicken breast, creamy brandy pepper sauce, Spanish-style baked vegetables and French fries. Chicken was OK but pepper sauce could have included more pepper in order to be enough spicy.

Restaurant Sevilla is easy place to go and have something to eat if one likes Spanish flavours.

REVIEW: FOOD 3-/5 – SERVICE 3+/5 – Overall grade 3+/5

http://www.sevilla.fi/

http://www.sevilla.fi/helsinki/sokos-hotel-presidentti/ruokalistat/restaurant-sevillas-a-la-carte-menu/

http://www.sokosrestaurants.ru/

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By the way, when visiting Sevilla about year ago, ordered speciality of the house. Had to send it back to the kitchen because chicken was so dry and chewy. Better luck next time 🙂


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Restaurant review: Salutorget

20 04 2012

Restaurant Salutorget, Scandinavian bistro, includes an unassuming dining room, bar and classic cafe with waitress services and terrace. Restaurant serves lunch and dinner but also brunch on Sundays and English style Afternoon Tea.

Salutorget is located by Kauppatori (Salutorget in Swedish and  Market Place in English) which is most known market or plaza in Helsinki. One can see that there has been financial institutions operating in the  same location earlier  as rest rooms are in old bank vault. Place has been renovated with craftmanship; 1800’s construction and pillars create a dignified athmosphere. Salutorget is part of Royal Ravintolat chain which has several fine dining restaurants in Helsinki. On Friday it was quite busy inlcuding bar.

Menu consists of traditional Finnish and Scandinavian dishes, such as Toast Skagen, Baltic herrings, raindeer and pike perch.  One can also choose lobster for starter or main course. Wine list is quite short; interesting to see that all wines are from European countries, mainly France, Italy and Spain.

Had to choose  Fried scallops with ceps, pine kernels and salsify puré with garlic for starter; being big fan of scallops. WOW, one of the best scallop starter ever tasted. Second choice was Broiled whitefish tartar with Jerusalem artichoke cream, good but cucumber might have been more flavoured.

For main courses ordered Tender braised reindeer shank with oven baked beetroot, bacon and almond potato puré.  Bacon was more like smalll pieces of  pork ribs and absolutely portion was best part of the kitchen. Reindeer smelted in the mouth and was tender. We also ordered  Roasted pike perch with champagne and pea risotto, fennel sauce but asked vegetables instead of risotto. Fish was absolutely prepared with professional way but vegetables were lightly boring. Suggest to keep with risotto.

Dessert was a ittle bit disappointment. We were prepared for chocolate cake  Chocolate cake with mango sorbet and one was ordered with ice cream. Unfortunately chocolate cake was more or less mousse. If it would have been real chocolate cake you could add + on Food Review.

Dining room and bar were almost all the time full of diners and people having drinks; both places worth of visiting.

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

http://www.salutorget.fi/en

more fotos: http://www.salutorget.fi/en/gallery


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Farang Stockholm!

14 04 2012

Restaurant Farang will open in Stockholm, Sweden late 2012. Farang, owned by Tomi Björk, is one of the first fine dining asian cross-kitchen restaurants with unique concept in Helsinki. Excellent spicy menus with wine recommendations and always crowded.

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

Take also look at the pieces of art Farang serves…..

http://farang.fi/restaurant/gallery/

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You might remember that Tomi Björk opens third restraurant late May in Helsinki.

https://reijosfood.com/2012/03/20/bar-and-restaurant-boulevard-social-opening-in-may/


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Kattila – new Cuisine World at Linnanmäki amusement park

13 04 2012

Finland’s biggest amusement park Linnanmäki will open  cuisine world featuring the offerings of six renowned chefs. In addition to the primary target group of Linnanmäki visitors, the cuisine world Kattila will serve all urban people who value high-quality food made from premium ingredients.

Kattila comprises six restaurants serving fine examples of world cuisine. The experienced restaurant-keepers have a total of four Michelin stars between them including 2 Michelin star chef Hans Välimäki, but the restaurants’ price range should suit also for smaller budgets.

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Kattila restaurants are:

– Kuula – meatball bar (chef  Tommi Tuominen, owner of Demo and Grotesk)

– Coccola – mediterranean food (chefs from Postress)

– American Wonder (created by Hans Välimäki)

– Ilona – Finnish restaurant (based on restaurant Aino concept)

– Sushibar + Wine – Scandinavian desing and sushi

– Caruzello – family buffet (created by Kim Heiniö)

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If you have visited amusement park Tivoli in Copenhagen, this sounds similar concept.

Linnanmäki will open its doors again for summer season on 21st of April.

(BTW, Kattila is Pot in english)

http://www.linnanmaki.fi/en/


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Restaurant review: Thai and China

10 04 2012

Restaurant Thai & China has simple name which reflects origins and food they serve. Thai & China is family owned  asian restaurant with modest decor. They have 65 dishes in Thai and Chinese a la carte lists; sometimes wonder how many oriental restaurants are able keep so wide collection of ingredients in their fridges. However, as fans of asian and oriental kitchens, appreciate the quality of food they usually are able to serve.One can also order food by phone and enjoy eating at home after picking up portions.

For starters chose  from Thai menu Spring rolls fried rolls with vegetables and bean nudels accompanied with sweet and spicy chili sauce and Gai satay pieces of chicken in bambu stick marinated in exotic herb sauce with sweet and tangy cucumber salad. Both dishes were delicious; maybe spring rolls best ever tasted. And this was not the first time to dine in this restaurant. Also cucumber salad brought into mind those small really spicy but so tasty salads in Thailand.

For main courses ordered Gaeng Ku-ah Supparohd boiled chicken in red curry paste with coconut milk, tomatoes, lime leaves, pineapple and peanuts. Excellent and so familiar portion which did not fail this time either. Pahd Med Mamuang Soft pieces of chicken breast marinated in light soy sauce and fried with cashew, carrot, onion and broccoli. Tasted this dish first time; was really nice experience.

When it comes to service, waitress (one of the owners) must have been tired. She is the only waitress in the restaurant which is open every day including Easter.

Price level is unexpensive. Starters only about 5€ and portions were bigger than one usually gets.

REVIEW: FOOD 4-/5 – SERVICE 2,5/5 – OVERALL GRADE 3+/5

Restaurant does not have own web site


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Restaurant review: Food and Bar Kiila

8 04 2012

Food and Bar Kiila was opened on 2nd March 2012. Restaurant is open from morning until night offering breakfast, brunch on Sundays and public holidays, lunch, dinner and bar services. Kiila is owned by Noora Himberg and menu is created by Henrik Poulsen and it is situated in one of the best locations just opposite of  Stockmann and Vanha University House. Diners can watch how cook’s prepare meals in open kitchen. Before Kiila restaurant Kolme Seppää was operating at the same premises, so do not try to find it anymore. Large terrace was already in place in although it was still quite cold outside. On top of the terrace restaurant had an ad; breakfast only 3,90€. Brunch on Sundays is 19,90€.

One could choose from a la carte or fast food lists also in the restaurant tables. Fast food list is available in the bar.

When ordering waitress first told that 3 dishes from a la carte list were not available. She was unsure what side dishes portions included and checked it from the kitchen. Obviously restaurant has opened without trained waiters as so many things were so and so. On top of everything our green tea order was forgotten. Restaurant is too expensive compared to level it is at the moment; so suggest to wait at least a month to check how everything has been developed. Location and open space are best part of the restaurant; expect to see significant improvement in waitering. Food itself is promises of a better future. Also view from the window side tables is great; so remember to ask for table with a view.

For starters ordered Tiger prawn skewer with avocado and marinated cucumber (skewer shoud have been warm to make experience perfect) and Ginger marinated duck breast with sweet pea, nut salad (ordinary peanuts should have been replaced e.g. with pine seeds, duck meat was tender).

For main course had Roasted whitefish with chili sesame butter (portion also included barley; butter pat was too big as it made dish quite greasy) and Black Angus sirloin beef with pepper button (best part of the dish was sweet potato sticks which we have not seen anywhere else, worth to try again).

For dessert ordered combination which was not on the a la carte list. Good effort from the kitchen, but without green tea.

REVIEW: FOOD 3+/5 – SERVICE 2/5 – OVERALL GRADE 3-/5

web site still under construction (8.4.2012) http://www.ravintolakiila.fi/


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Hard Rock Cafe Helsinki

4 04 2012

Legendary music restaurant chain Hard Rock Cafe will open in Helsinki next Summer. There were rumours about coming opening already last Autumn but lets see if it will happen now. Hard Rock Cafe Helsinki will locate in the centre of Helsinki, in Aleksanterinkatu 21. Or is this a joke because of 1st of April; company had recruitment ad in main newspaper on that day?

Nearest restaurants are the moment in Stockholm and Copenhagen. Maybe we see shot glass with Helsinki name after summer…

Update on the 11th August: opening is postponed to late Autumn, maybe October. Lets see when the opening actually is?

http://www.facebook.com/HardRock.Helsinki

http://www.hardrockcafe.fi/


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Restaurant review: Grill Glöd (closed)

1 04 2012

UPDATE ON 1ST OF NOV. RESTAURANT GLÖD HAS BEEN CLOSED. STEFAN’S STEAHOUSE WILL OPEN AT THE SAME LOCATION IN DECEMBER.

Bar and Grill Glöd was opended in Autumn 2011 by Jan Åkerström who owns also restaurant Solna. Earlier restaurant Mecca was operating at the same place, so do not try to find it anymore. Some of the Mecca decor was still found at sanitary facilities.

Glöd fine grill concept is based on coal grill and open kitchen for preparing game food, fresh fish, seafood and vegetables. Glöd has also honoured with two cutlery pairs by Michelin Guide in 2012; excellent achievement in just a short time. In addition to restaurant there is also bar and Klub Casablanca (with K, not C) lounge with oriental athmosphere.

From 17 courses diners can select menus consisting of either 3 (35€) or 4 (39€) courses. Courses are devided in cold, warm and sweet dishes. We recommend to order one cold and two warm dishes if you decide to enjoy three courses, because they are quite small. By ordering four dishes you can take dessert also.

Restaurant was quite noisy due to background music  and tables which were close to each other. Seemed that cramped space made serving more difficult at least where we were seated.

Started with Cheviche Hibiscus Fish marinated in citrusdressing with rose flavoured blood orange and fennel (fishes were salmon and white fish, some salt would have improved taste, but none was at the tables) and Tuna “Tokyo Grill” Char goal grilled tuna, warm sushi rice and avocado ice cream (excellent combination but also missed some salt).

Warm dishes were Beets and Barley Oven roasted beets marinated in mustard dressing, barley risotto and whipped cream cheese (beets comes from beetroot and this dish was one of the best of all a la carte dishes eaten this time, barley replaced rice perfectly), Black Salmon Teriyaki roasted salmon, tomato-anise couscous and sake sauce (couscous did not match so well), Risotto Nero Black risotto, grilled tiger prawn tails and Tom Kha Khai foam (another bull’s eye, can recommend) and Ribs BBQ Grilled pork ribs, frisee lettuce and Texas Ranch dressing (did not classify in top three ribs, lettuce had some Caesar dressing)

For dessert Almond, Praline and Soup Almond cake, praline ice cream and warm chocolate and rum soup (asked sorbet instead of ice cream but got ice cream) and Chocolate Mousse “Cafe Vietnam” Chocolate mousse with blackcurrant, caramel and coffee foam and fudge ice cream (delicious; can recommend)

Although price for 4 dishes is affordable, bottle of wine increases total amount of bill. Avarage price for wine bottle is over 50€. Most of the dishes seek asian flavours and are well prepared. However, would have appreciated more deep savours to complement the experience. Full tables meant that customers have found Glöd.

REVIEW: Food 4-/5 – Service 4/5 – Overall grade 4-/5

http://www.glod.fi/

http://www.viamichelin.com/web/Restaurants#description@poi=345812_41102


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Restaurant review: Memphis

30 03 2012

Restaurant and bar Memphis is located in Kamppi shopping center. It is part of  HOK-Elanto Group; biggest restarant owner in Helsinki. Memphis is intended for young adults but pay attention that on Friday and Saturday evenings one has to be at least 20 years old. DJ plays music during those evenings. Restaurant accepts reservation if you have at least 8 person in your group but be sure your table is at upper level by the wall not at lower level. Tables by the bar are more or less quite primitive to dine. One can also watch cooks at work in open kitchen.

A la carte list is quite demanding for “fast” food type of restaurant because you can choose e.g. from  Rocking Woks, Roasted Organic Bread, Low Fat and Carb or Chicken and Duck  and as you can also see from the names of portions. When one arrives, popcorn bowls are waiting at the tables. We were told it would take at least an hour to get main courses (actually took one hour 20 minutes) but starters would be faster (took 40 minutes). Motivator to order starters?

For starters we ordered Mozzarella Sticks (quite ok), Sesame Chicken Sticks Battered sesame seed chicken sticks with aioli (word chicken should not be part of this portion as it includes about 2% chicken), Holy Halloumi Halloumi cheese with apple and cucumber salad and harissa oil (ok) and Teriyaki Shrimps Sesame seed king prawns with spinach and teriyaki sauce (also OK)

For main courses we ordered Memphis Burger Classic Two beef patties total 150 g with bacon and cheddar  and De Luxe Burger Two beef patties total 220 g, with bacon, cheddar and Memphis BBQ sauce (simple, positive things: bread was made from wholemeat and french fries were enough crisp and salted). Teriyaki Tuna  Orange pepper-spiced grilled tuna steak 180 g with teriyaki sauce (waiter asked for roasting time, ordered medium but was served over well-done). Chicken Caesar Grilled chicken breast, Romaine and iceberg lettuce, Caesar dressing, organic bread and Parmesan shavings and Shrimp Caesar Teriyaki-flavoured king prawns, Romaine and iceberg lettuce, Caesar dressing, organic bread and Parmesan shavings (too much Caesar dressing) . Memphis Steak Hoisin-flavoured grilled beef sirloin steak with grilled pineapple, jalapeño, aioli and fries (pretty ok). Low Fat Chicken Grilled chicken breast 150 g with harissa-infused quinoa, red onion, soy beans, sweet pepper, Romaine lettuce, orange yoghurt and grilled fresh pineapple (ok also for well being food).

Memphis is easy-going place and attracts people to stop by if they use Kamppi subway or bus station and place is OK for that. But during busy times it takes too much time to get food unless you are prepared to stay at least 2-3 hours and not hungry.

REVIEW: Food 2,5/5 – Service 3+/5 – Overall grade 2,5/5 (dining aspect)

http://www.memphis.fi/kamppi.html


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Restaurant review: Loiste

18 03 2012

Restaurant Loiste is located in the heart of Helsinki at the 10th Floor of Hotel Vaakuna and Sokos department store. There is a fantastic view from terraces and part of the restaurant windows. If you are seated on the right side of the restaurant when you come in you can not enjoy of the view, unfortunately. Therefore ask for window table and you can take a look at Kamppi shopping center, old bus station and Lasipalatsi (in english Glass Palace). Loiste is casual type of restaurant but tries to put effort on the menu and food.

There is also playground for the children; if you do not need this “service” as many hotel guests might, be sure your table is not close to it because of the noise. For this reason we gave lower overall grade.

If you want to enjoy aperitif or you are not hungry enough you can always visit Bar Loiste which serves you on the same premises, at 10th floor.

You could choose three different type of starters. Restaurant has on the menu “Snadit”, small appetizers, as one option to start your dining. Two other options for starters and main courses are “Herkkuja Pohjolastaie. Delicacies from the North” and “Pohjolasta Etelään  ie. from North to South”. Menu includes mainly Finnish genuine food but also provides flavours of European kitchens; mainly Southern part and Italy.

From a la carte list we first chose “Snadit” i.e. Duck liver toast with fig compote and Goat Cheese with honey-beetroot syrup. Duck liver toast smelted smoothly in the mouth. Goat cheese should have been grilled a little bit more. Beetroot carpaccio and herb foam and Smoked reindeer with cowberry syrup. Both were delicious; one suggestion for improvement, should not use cold meat as restaurant obviously aims for high standards.

For main cource chose from Delicacies from the North Fish of the day with vegetables and aspargus potato pyre. Fish was typical Finnish fish Pike Perch and perfectly roasted. Excellent flexibility from the kitchen also when we asked some changes. And from North to South chose Red Mullet with shellfish risotto and crab stock which was generous portion, risotto properly prepared and surprise was the amount of prawns and pieces of scallop. Usually you can only taste the flavours of risotto.

For dessert chose only Red Currant sorbet which was nicely served as you can see from the picture above.

Wine list is short and consists of quality wines. Means also that bottle of wine increases quite a lot the total price of the  dinner.

Restaurant Loiste has upgraded it’s menu, a year ago served also hamburgers. Requires a lot from casual type of restaurant but succeeded well this time!

REVIEW: Food 4+/5 – Service 4/5 – Overall grade 3,5/5

http://www.ravintolaloiste.fi/ravintola-loiste.html

Virtual presentation:

http://www.sokoshotels.fi/hotellit/helsinki/vaakuna/virtuaaliesittelyt/

But: if you just want to have a drink at Loiste and wine bar is closed, recommend to find another place because they are not able to serve you from the bar in mid of dining room (update on 21st July 2012)


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Michelin star restaurants in Finland 2012

14 03 2012

Michelin Guide has updated it’s list of rewarded restaurants. All 5 existing Michelin restaurants kept their stars Chez Dominique in lead with 2 stars. We hoped that Chez Dominique would earn third star, but unfortunately not. Work or even food art of Hans Välimäki would have been worth of it.

Restaurants with Michelin stars are:

Chez Dominique, Rikhardinkatu 4, Helsinki: 2 stars (owner Hans Välimäki) http://www.chezdominique.fi/home_cd2?

Demo, Uudenmaankatu 9-11, Helsinki: 1 star (owners Tommi Tuominen and Teemu Aura) http://www.restaurantdemo.fi/demo

Luomo, Vironkatu 8, Helsinki: 1 star (owners Jouni Toivanen and Mika Mattila) http://www.luomo.fi/en/restaurant/

Olo, Kasarmikatu 44, Helsinki: 1 star (owners Pekka Terävä and Petri Lukkarinen) http://www.olo-restaurant.com/home.html

Postres, Eteläesplanadi 8, Helsinki: 1 star (owners Samuli Wirgentius and Jari Liimatta) http://www.postres.fi/

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Bib Gourmand restaurants are:

Farang, Ainonkatu 3, Helsinki

Gaijin, Bulevardi 6, Helsinki – (new)

Grotesk, Ludviginkatu 8-10, Helsinki

La Table, Lönnrotinkatu 27, Helsinki (new location)

Solna, Solnantie 26, Helsinki

Interesting is that Farang and Gaijin have now both Bid Gourmand (excellent price/quality ratio) logos; both owned by chefs Tomi Björk and Matti Wiberg.  Also interesting is that Grotesk, owned by same chefs as Demo, got Bid Gourmand logo. First time same owners have two restaurants in Michelin Guide.

http://www.viamichelin.com/web/Restaurants#resultSearch@address=&merge=Helsinki&sK=1792&sejour=&michelin=false&arrivaldate=&nights=&people=


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Restaurant review: BBQ House

10 03 2012

Restaurant BBQ House is situated by Greek restaurant Minos at Kamppi shopping center. They even share toilets. Restaurant also has heated outdoor terrace which expands in the summer for large bar and terrace area. BBQ House states it provides latino kitchen and it is specialised in steaks, no suprise by the name. When we visited restaurant there was Aussi weeks with special menu,not so close to latino? Interesting is that BBQ House has lava rock grill, quite unique in Helsinki and Finland. Also you can watch how chefs manage to do they work in open kitchen.

If you are co-op member you can get discount for some portions and collect points.

Also interesting detail is that dishes on the menu are also in portuguese but of course also in English and Russia. Latino flavour?

Tried to make table reservation same day but was told it is not possible anymore. Restaurant was full when we arrived and we were offered call back if we liked to dine. After 1/2 hour waiting time in a near by bar we got polite call; our table was ready. Great service!

For “Entrades – Appetizers” we chose Tapas which were not like Spanish Tapas. From different alternatives we decided to taste Springbok antelope, glazed with passion fruit and Caramelized pork flank. Antelope is not so common; as a matter in fact can not remember any other restaurant offering it. In portion there were quite small pieces of antelope and the shape was like cold meats. Pork also was like cold meat; not exactly what you would expect, but anyway very tasty. Most of the portion consisted of potato salad; small suprise as it was not mentioned in menu. Another choices for us were Giant shrimps and Bloody Mary soup and Artichoke with veggies. Interesting name for the soup and both were good.

“Prato principal à sua escolha da nossa grelha de pedra vulcânica – Main course of your choice from our lava rock grill” Sounded good, so we ordered Beef tenderloin and Breast of corn-fed chicken. You could then choose “Com um molho à sua escolha – With a sauce of your choice” from six different sauces and “Acompanhamentos – With a side dish of” 4 different choises. Decided to dine low carb food and chose Caesar salad  and Country-style salad, no potato fries this time. Beef tenderloin was ordered as medium, but  it was medium minus  minus… However Rum and pepper sauce was one of the best ever tasted and perfect match for meat. Also salad under Caesar sauce was crisp but Country salad was maybe too simple although it included quinea; quite rare in Finnish kitchen.

With few amendments in starters ingredients we would have given 4 as a grade for food.

REVIEW: Food 3,5/5 – Service 4/5 – Overall grade 3,5/5

http://www.kattaakaupungin.fi/ravintolat_en0.html

http://www.bbqhouse.fi/

Visited again restaurant in July; fewer appetizers in the list but otherwise as good experience.


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ViiniExpo and Gastro on 14-16 March 2012 at Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre

6 03 2012

ViiniExpo – Wines and spirits trade days on 14-16 March 2012 at Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre. First two days are only for professionals but Wine Lover’s Day on the 16 March 2012 allows all of us to join the event. You can get in if you are ready to pay 15€+ tastings per class. But you can find 4€ discount coupon from Finnish wine magazine (Viinilehti).

http://web.finnexpo.fi/Sites2/ViiniExpo/en/Kavijat/Pages/default.aspx

At the same time HoReCa professionals gather at Gastro which is Finland’s leading event for the sector.

http://web.finnexpo.fi/Sites1/Gastro/en/Pages/default.aspx


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