Restaurant review: Casa Largo

16 02 2013

Restaurant Casa Largo on the ground floor of Sokos department store is a modern “Spanish” restaurant with a bar, tapas bar and restaurant as well as wine bar. Main dining room is on 1st floor opposite of Railway Station and tapas bar is on 2nd floor. You can see hotel Vaakuna reception from so called 2nd floor wine bar which is behind tapas bar. Functionalist style, which was popular during Helsinki Olympic games 1952 including Glass Palace (Lasipalatsi) being opposite the hotel Vaakuna, has been maintained. Picture below is from the hotel lobby taken from the Casa Largo wine bar.

Hotel Vaakuna lobby

All HOK-Elanto restaurants have Champagne offer for the whole year 2013. You can get bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte Brut for 39€, which costs the same as wines at the restaurant. Had to taste it instead of Cava although we were in the “Spanish” restaurant. BUT, it was served too warm which made the tasting useless. Pity for champagne,,,,Hopefully champagne is not wasted in other HOK-Elanto restaurants.

Champagne

Started dinner with Tapas frias & calientes: TOSTADAS manchego, piquillo peppers and aioli on toast and several times POLLO AL AJILLO garlic seasoned chicken, Really delicious and well prepared dishes. Also had Tapas frias: QUESO MANCHEGO Manchego cheese and rosemary honey and CHORIZO Chorizo sausage. To be honest tapas were best part of dinner. Recommend to order 4 tapas dishes for main course and you are there. Chicken has been always delicious and seldom Manchego lets you down. TORTILLA ESPAÑOLA potato omelette was OK but original ones in Spain beat this one.

PolloManchego

For main courses had 2 times DORADA A LA PARRILLA whole gilthead bream, grilled and stuffed with garlic butter and herbs, served with escalivada vegetables and herbs. Because Solomillo is usually good test for quality of kitchen compared to original Spanish kitchen, also ordered SOLOMILLO A LA PIMIENTA grilled fillet of beef (200g) with creamy peppersauce. Guilthead was basically ok but it was over cooked. Meat was best part of main course, really tender and soft, to be honest better than same dishes in Spain. Also ordered POLLO ASADO CON CREMA ESPINACAS corn fed chicken breast with creamy spinach and sherry sauce. Unfortunately chicken was too dry.

Gilt head???????????????????????????????SolomilloChicken

You have to order side dish from separate list (no additional cost); alternatives were TORTILLA ESPAÑOLA potato omelette, ARROZ rice with saffron, PATATAS BRAVAS fried potatoes with salsa brava and aioli and ENSALADA salad. You could order Patatas Bravas as one of the tapas starters but it suited well with Solomillo, this was bull’s eye pairing!

For desserts ordered famous Spanish “Churros”. Unfortunately you should stick to original churros because this version was not enough baked. Churros are perfect if prepared well and sorbet is always eatable, if prepared at the restaurant. Do not know if it was, because of the chewyness.

Sorbet

Unfortunately service had not improved. We had to ask several times for service but requestd were forgotten. Also paying was problem, had to go to cashier as mobile system did not work.
Casa Largo is really popular restaurant because of location. Remember to book table beforehand but be careful your wishes are conveyd to restaurant, ours were not.

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

http://www.casalargo.fi/


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Categories : Food, Helsinki, Hotel, Restaurant, Restaurant review, Travel, Wine

Wine review: Pago del Vicario 50/50

10 02 2013

Pago del Vicario 50/50 is Spanish wine. It comes from one of the La Mancha bodegas, Pago del Vicario, which is located at a distance of nine kilometres from Ciudad Real. Bodega sells its wines under the appellation of Vino de la Tierra de Castilla. There are also a hotel and restaurant carrying same name.

Grapes and share of them used are, as you might guess from the name, TEMPRANILLO (50 %), CABERNET SAUVIGNON (50 %).
Tempranillo is a variety of black grape widely grown to make full-bodied but soft red wines in its native Spain. Cabernet Savignon brings the body to this wine.

THE LOOK

Pago del Vicario

Vintage 2008 is deep red with brown tinge. Maybe wine had already got some depth. When wine flows along the surface of glass after spinnng it, wine does it slowly bringing out vintage and wine posture.

THE NOSE

Strong aroma partly because fo tannins. Almost can scent alcohol which is unusual observation.

THE TASTE

Fills mouth with quite strong taste. Tannins can be found clearly but not disruptively. Some bramble; taste is balanced.

Facts and figures:

Alcohol: 14,5% by volume
Extract: 31 g/l
Acidity: 5,9 g/l
Energy: 90 kcal/100 ml (390 kJ/100 ml)
Closure: natural cork

Pago del Vicario IIPaco del Vicario III

The design of the bottle is cool. Black glass bottle and black label make a solemn effect. On the other hand shape of the bottle which thickens toward the neck of the bottle gives the impression of luxury wine. Wine tasting is ensemble of different phases and observations; this wine gives opportunity to use all senses, even artistic ones.

As taste is quite strong and wine includes tannis recommend to enjoy Pago del Vicario 50/50 with red meats and spiced foods. Actually suited really well with the pasta we prepared same day, picture and preparing instructions on the page “Dining at home”.

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

Website has been under construction at least for two days http://www.pagodelvicario.com/


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Hotel review: Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort Spa and Casino (Spain)

9 02 2013

Lopesan Costa MelonerasLopesan Costa Meloneras

Check out “Michael Jackson” and lobby videos below!

Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort Spa & Casino, a 4 star category hotel, is located on the sea front and just a few metres from the Nature Reserve of Dunas de Maspalomas, in the south of Gran Canaria island. Hotel is the biggest in Canary Island with over 1000 rooms.

Have stayed at this hotel already 4 times, maybe getting too comfort-loving or just like this hotel. But never before during Christmas and New Year, which had pros and cons. New Years Eve party was amazing compared to ones in Finland for several reasons; warm weather outside instead of freezing, adult-like celebrating instead of too heavy drinking and trouble making and well prepared program. Great light show on the hotel walls and firefors. On the other hand expensive time including dinners.

Standard rooms are quite simple a little bit worn but spacious, best part is bathroom with separate bath tube and shower and balcony, of course. If you want to have pool and garden view, you have to pay some extra but it is worth of it.

Standard room

Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort, Spa & Casino invites its visitors to enjoy an atmosphere of peaceful activity in which you can practice all types of sports and look after body and mind in the fantastic Spa Corallium, a real gift for the senses in an impressive centre inspired by the volcanic nature of the island. Have visited spa and it is one of the best equipped have seen with different saunas, pools and relaxing rooms. Several saunas including African sauna (like Finnish), steam sauna, Turkish Hammamet and salt pool and different water treatments and relaxing rooms….Unfortunately no pictures because did not want to carry camera with me.

Most photographed area at the hotel is Lago Pool which seems to end to Atlantic Ocean. If hotel is introduced in some travel magazine you will see same view almost every time. And pool really is marvelous but unfortunately in the winter time too cold, at least for us. Four different pools makes the difference and the garden and the mini golf and tennis court and….

Lago Pool and sea

Quiet pool is situated at the far end of hotel, quite nice spitting dogs guarding the peace.

If you want to swim around the garden you can use pool whic is in the middle of the pool area. You can walk via two small bridges over this pool.

Hotel has 3 big buffet dining rooms, a la carte restaurant Ambassador, 4  pool bars, lobby bar, cafe……Hotel “outsourced” summer 2012 two of its restaurants to restaurateurs which was good move. Earlier quite empty but now really busy restaurants partly because entry has been opened to beach boulevard. Had Christmas Eve dinner at Ambassador and New Years Eve dinner at buffet restaurant. Both were really great experiences. Also dined at El Churrasco, one of the two “external” restaurants. Reviews can be found at reijosfood.com

AmbassadorEl Churrasco

New Years Eve buffet, just some pictures….buffet restaurants really did their best. Of course breakfast is versatile but you soon realize that you take the same eats every morning

Hotel lobby is large and service is excellent…Only place you can use WiFi for free. So this is the weakest link of the hotel which is otherwise almost perfect.

Lobby

And top of all great performances every evening at the stage. Was amazed to see that “Michael Jackson” was alive and kicking.

Michael Jackson copy

This Lopesan hotel is perfect for us because it is enough big, all services available and lot’s of good restaurants nearby. Also the area around is modern and quite new. No bibulous tourists who used to take part in the pig feasts in the past. Also Maspalomas dunes are just around the corner.

Maspalomas dunes

Restaurant review: Ambassador (Spain)

Restaurant review: El Churrasco (Spain)


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Hotel review: swissotel Tallinn (Estonia)

6 02 2013

First hotel review at reijosfood.com. First widened restaurant reviews to wine reviews and now it is time to share hotel experiences. Maybe someday helps you to select suitable hotel.

Five-star Swissotel Tallinn is the highest building in the city, boasting impressive views of the old town and the Baltic Sea. 238 rooms and the facilities of this hotel should leave nothing to be desired; and it did not. Only problem in the room was that could not get any water to bath tube. 22nd floor also opened quite nice view to Tallinn, however whould have prefered other direction. You can see in the picture Radisson Blu hotel Tallinn which we used to visit.  Level of rooms and service lowered after SAS sold it’s hotel business.

SwissotelSwissotel bathroom

On the 11th floor there is heated indoor pool with Finnish sauna and a state-of-the-art fitness club. Purovel Spa and Sport is the perfect retreat after a long day out, offering a wide selection of treatments, from hydrotherapy to hot stone massages.

Unisex sauna was least attractive because it was quite simple; steam sauna’s suit better to spa’s. Maybe it has been there ealier as it was mentioned on hotel website.

Purovel Spa

Tallinn’s “highest” culinary landmark is at the top of Swissôtel Tallinn, with views far out over the Baltic Sea and the medieval old town. Restoran Horisont and bar offer fine dining and drinks at 30th floor and restaurant is ranked in 13th place on list of Tallinn best restaurants.

Plan was to eat at the restaurant but it was reserved for wedding party. However, tasty drinks prepared for dinner at Bocca.
And view from the 3oth floor is amazing, recommend to visit bar although you would not spend night at the hotel.

Horisont barDrinks

Cafe Swiss is at the 8th floor serving breakfast buffet (can recommend, lacked only sweet pastries), lunch and dinner. Service at breakfast was polite and thoughtful.

Cafe Swiss

Lobby includes reception, bar and coffee shop. Same waiters operated both places, service again thoughtful. At coffee shop had muffins and coffee/tea. Unfortunately muffins were old because they were dry.

LobbySwissotel lobby bar

Swissotel Tallinn is excellent place to spend long weekend. For 5 star hotel it is also quite affordable. Stockmann is 150 meters from the hotel and walk to old town takes about 15 minutes.

http://www.swissotel.com/hotels/tallinn/


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Restaurant review: MEKK (Estonia)

3 02 2013

restoran MEKKMEKK

MEKK, quite new restaurant offering modern Estonian dishes, is located on Suur-Karja street in the Old Town of Tallinn.  Emporio Armani and Burberry shops are just around the corner. Restaurant includes dining room, bar and two private rooms; City Wall Chamber and Mekk Ateljee. Restoran MEKK is ranked 12th on list of best restaurants in Tallinn.

Reserved table via TableOnline.fi and it worked well.

Decided to try for starters MEKK´s assortment of lightly salted roasted salmon, marinated herring, spiced sprats and egg salad, potato cake and Lightly salted white fish with fried goose liver, cauliflower cream, tomato and chives sauce.
 Unfortunately assortment included overdose of onion. Stew in a small jar was onion with sour cream and it would have been enough but there was onion on top of each fish piece. White fish was OK but lightly salted meant no salt at all. In Finland lighlty salted fish usually as clear taste of salt.

Fish assortmentWhite fish

For main courses ordered MEKK’s fish with apple vinegar caramelized beetroot, duck fat flavored potatoes and sparkling wine sauce and Braised veal shank with sugar peas and lentils.
Fish was pike perch which is usually really tasty, now it lacked salt. Had asked to replace sparkling wine sauce with something else because it included milk products. Therefore sauce in the picture is red. Veal shank lacked also salt, sugar peas were fresh side dish.

Pike perchVeal shank

For dessert ordered portion of Assortment of MEKK´s cheeses.
 It is a good way to become familiar with local food. Cheeses were palatable, propably best part of dinner.

MEKK's cheeses

Restoran MEKK is promising newcomer in Tallinn restaurant life. Portions are prepared well and dining room is decorated with taste. This time lack of salt and spices lowered grade of food. Maybe they are not used so much in original Estonian food?

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

Esileht


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Restaurant review: Bocca (Estonia)

2 02 2013

BoccaBoccaBoccaimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimage

Have visited at restoran Bocca several years ago when it was one of the first “gourmet” restaurants in Tallinn. Restaurant Magazine UK placed already in year 2003 Bocca as number 15 amongst the 50 of the worlds most prestigious and respected restaurants. Restaurant focuses on Italian kitchen serving traditional foods in its own way. 2012 restoran Bocca was ranked 8th best restaurant in Tallinn.

Restaurant is located in Old Town. It has dining room, bar and private room. Restrooms were interesting experience already first time. Which part of restrooms to choose, small picture with signs?

At 0645PM restaurant was empty, we were the first customers. At 0800 it was almost full, biggest group were Norwegians. If you like music song by Michael Buble, Canadian singer, you are at the right place!

For starters enjoyed Grilled giant prawns tals with melon, rocket-pesto sauce and green salad and Scallop and king prawn with asparagus in delicate white wine and ginger sauce. 

Both dishes were excellent. Best part of scallops and king prawns was the sauce, really delicious. Had to use bread in order to eat all of it from the plate.

Main courses were difficult to choose because of many delicious choices, but decided to order Grilled royal seabream seasoned with red chilli in mushroom sauce and Oven roasted wild dove, potatoes topped with Gorgonzola and vegetables in a black truffle sauce.

Seabream was grilled as such which is always best way to prepare fish. Would have prefered side dish to be included, now portion was quite “lonely” as we asked to replace mushroom sauce with something else. Wild dove was great, small legs were a little bit chewy, though.

For dessert had always so tasty Italian “cake” Tiramisu and Saffron flavoured pear stewed in white wine with Drambuie liqueur sauce. 

Tiramisu was not cake as it usually is but it really was tasty. Waiter first brought only spoon which made wonder what kind of dessert is coming? Served in Martini glass and experience was perfect. Whole pear tasted also scrumptious.

Dinner ended with green tea, biggest portion ever seen, must have been 1 litre and espresso and grappa. Ready to pay and leave.

Food was delicious but service was maybe not at the same level prices would let you expect. But best Italian restaurant in Tallinn does not let you down. Photo galleries on the walls are also worth to look closer, click picture and zoom.

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

http://www.bocca.ee/?action=page.main


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Wine review: Dopff Riesling Reserve

26 01 2013

Vintage 2011 Dopff Riesling Reserve ‘Cuvee Europe’ comes from Alsace, Dopff au Moulin vineyards, France. It is commonly available at Royal Ravintolat restaurants Teatteri, Strindberg and Salutorget, Helsinki Finland, which we regularly visit. Also have tasted this white wine quite often at those restaurants.

THE LOOK

Pale yellow, acidity can be seen quite well in the glass

THE NOSE

Fruits and raisin, some apple and petrol

THE TASTE

Crisp dry taste, light petrol and herbs, acidity follows in after taste

Dopff Reisling Reserve

Facts & figures:

Alcohol: 12,5% by volume
Extract: 24 g/l
Acidity: 6,6 g/l
Energy: 80 kcal/100 ml (330 kJ/100 ml)
Closure: metal screw cap

Excellent wine for white fishes and shell fish. Suitable also for aperitif before good dinner. However favourite rieslings come from Austria and Germany.

REVIEW: OVERALL GRADE 3,5/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ++ / +++

http://www.dopff-au-moulin.fr/edito.php?lg=en


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Wine review: Hewitson Miss Harry

25 01 2013

Miss Harry comes from nick name of Harriet Hewitson, daughter of Dean Hewitson. Like the name, not too complicated. Wine comes from Barossa Valley, Australia.

Tasted vintage 2010 grapes are GRENACHE (44 %), SHIRAZ (39 %), MOURVÈDRE (8 %), CINSAULT (4%) and CARIGNAN (4%). Note: Alko is selling vintage 2010 but grape information is misleading, it is older vintage 2009.

THE LOOK

The colour of 2010 Miss Harry is dark red; young vintage no hints of brown color

THE NOSE

The aroma was quite difficult to describe, found red/black berries, spices and herbs. Because of grape selection really difficult task

THE TASTE

The palate is full, showing ripe black berries and maybe plums. But again, amount of different grapes made the task difficult. The finish was long and fresh. However, wine that I liked.

Miss HarryHewitson Miss Harry

Facts and figures:

Alcohol: 14% by volume
Extract: 29 g/l
Acidity: 5,5 g/l
Energy: 90 kcal/100 ml (370 kJ/100 ml)
Closure: metal screw cap

Miss Harry is tasty red wine, suits perfectly for red meat. But grape selection opens up many food choises.

REVIEW 4+/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +++/+++

http://www.hewitson.com.au/page.php?section=791&mId=1640&catid=


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Taste of Italy

22 01 2013

As being fans of Italian food like to prepare basic Antipastis on monthly basis. This time these included Prosciutto Crudo, Salami Picante, Mozzarella di Buffala, Rucola and grilled Zucchini.

Antipastis were complemented with Chianti Baroncini in an old fashioned bottle which is available at Alko’s.

DSC03325DSC03327

Had noticed earlier in our favourite supermarket Piadina flatbreads and decided to prepare them. Piadinas stuffed with mozzarella, prosciutto crudo and rucola are excellent snacks. Unfortunately flatbreads were glutein free and therefore did not work so well because they crumbled and were too thick. However, after warming very tasty reminder of holidays spent in Italy.

DSC03329DSC03330

Grapes of Chianti were SANGIOVESE (85 %), CANAIOLO (10 %), MALVASIA (5 %). Suitable red wine for antipastis and piadina and even for pastas. Would not recommend for red or game meats.

DSC03328

Buon Appetito!


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Restaurant review: Sundmans Krog

20 01 2013

Sundmans KrogSundmans Krog II

Opposite of the Old Market Hall are two restaurants with almost similar names, G.W.Sundmans and Sundmans Krog. However, difference is quite huge. Restaurant G.W. Sundmans used to have Michelin star but is still one of the most sophisticated restaurants in Finland.

Sundmans Krog is more laid-back restaurant with one speciality, fish buffet which you can order for starter or for main course. For main course it is maybe too modest, might need some additional dishes.

Fish buffet at Sundmans Krog

Because of a freezing weather (-15C degrees) had to get something warm to drink and were served rum and cassis toddies. No more mulled wines at this time of the year.

However started one menu with Sundmans Krog’s traditional fish buffet with dill potatoes. Potatoes were brought to the table and there were like just picked up but spiced salmon was too salty.

Fish plate

For main course ordered Salmon Wallenberg with Cauliflower and Remoulade sauce. Usually this traditional food is made from meat. Changed Cauliflower to vegetables which hopefully did not change ensemble. Delicious combination!

Salmon Wallenberg

For dessert some Sorbet with fruits because all other desserts included milk products. Simple but tasty.

Sorbet

One menu consisted of HELSINKI MENU with WINE MENU.

SAVUSTETTUA SILAKKAA, FENKOLIA JA KATAJANMARJALLA MAUSTETTUA LEIPÄÄ Smoked Baltic Herring, fennel and bread spiced with juniper berries. When waitress opened lid of the container, gray smoke rised from it with smoky smell, great experience!

Baltic herring

YLIKYPSÄÄ KARITSAN POTKAA, KUIVATTUA PUOLUKKAA JA “SÄRÄJUUREKSIA” Overcooked Lamb Shank with dried cowberries and roasted root vegetables. Really delicious, lamb melted in the mouth and you could have eaten it with spoon.

Lamb shank

“OMENAPIIRAKKAA”, VANILJAVAAHTOA JA VANILJAJÄÄTELÖÄ Apple Pie, Vanilla Foam and Vanilla Ice Cream. Too small portion for me! Could have eaten 4 of them because it was just so scrumptious

Apple pie

WINE MENU

Riesling `L´, Dr. Loosen, Mosel, Germany – matched well with starter

Chemins de Compostelle, Antoine Moueix, France – Merlot was too strong grape for mild flavors in main course

Moscato, Gatti piero, Italy – apple pie did not need wine, just more pie….

Restaurant Sundmans Krog was popular despite of the freezing weather even at late lunch. Stockmann has offer menu for its regular customers and this offer seemed to be popular. Would change backgroud music from Glenn Miller to more classical music because of the old building and decor. Waitering was partly professional and partly uncertain depending on the waitress.

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

English menu has not been updated when it changed 1st of January.

http://www.sundmans.fi/en/services/sundmans-krog

If you get window table you can see Market Hall and Market Square.

Sundmans Krog window


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15 BEST restaurants 2012 in Tallinn (Estonia)

19 01 2013
It takes only 2 hours to cruise to Tallinn, which makes it easy to visit there regularly. Nowadays there are lots of good restaurants in Tallinn, worth to visit for that reason.
Ranking below is made by Eesti Maitsed based on the votes of the key employees of various Estonian restaurants. Each voter compiles a personal list of 7 restaurants that he or she thinks are the best in Estonia. The voters must have visited these places and the list cannot include the voters’ employers or restaurants related to their personal property. List includes all restaurants in Estonia but I have picked up Tallinn restaurants.

Winner, restoran Tchaikovsky, definitely earns 1st place. It is part at hotel Telegraaf. We were impressed by it’s style, food and service. Restoran Ö has won 1st place 2009 and 2010 in Tallinn but still was really sophisticated year and a half ago but has lost several places. Both restaurants as well as Chedi, Bocca and La Bottega are owned by Sparkling Group http://www.sparkling.ee/eng/?page=about
—-
Tsaikovsky

2. Chedi
3. Leib
4. Moon
5. Neh
6. Bordoo
7. Ribe
8. Bocca (https://reijosfood.com/2013/02/02/restaurant-review-bocca-estonia/)

imageBocca
9. La Bottega
10. Dominic
11. Ö (below, visited 30.7.2011 but did not make review)

ÖÖ
12. MEKK (https://reijosfood.com/2013/02/03/restaurant-review-mekk-estonia/)

MEKKrestoran MEKK

13. Horisont

Horisont
14. Cru
15. F-Hoon

Whole list can be found via link http://www.eestimaitsed.com/eng/restaurants#2012


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Taste of Mexico

14 01 2013

Nachos and Fajitas, basic Mexican dishes, taste always delicious (if you like strong spices).

Basic elemens for perfect Nachos are Salsa sauce, Jalopenos, Creme Fraiche and Grated Cheese. More heavy you get if you add minced meat, chicken or peas. Mozzarella, although it is far from Mexican, suits perfectly for Nachos. 5 minutes in oven and you are ready to eat everything what is on baking tray. Therefore it is important not to make too big portion!

Of course you must sip Mexican beer like Corona or Sol with slice of lime.

Nachos

Best Fajitas you make by using Chicken breast, red Onion, sweet Pepper, fresh Avocado, Salsa sauce, Creme Fraiche, Jalopenos and Tortillas. Have found really tasty Fajitas powder which quarantees our Fajitas are better than in restaurants. Guacamole is best to make yourself, it does not need anything else than avocado and some lemon juice in order to avoid darkening.

FajitasFajita

In Helsinki there are not actually really good Mexican restaurants. You can try Cantina West, so far best Fajitas eaten or Santa Fe, popular summer terrace now owned by S-Group as well as Amarillo’s. Hard Rock Cafe serves pretty good Nacho’s but without being too arrogant, think our home made Mexican Nacho’s and Fajita’s beat the ones in nearby restaurants.


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Wine review: KUNGFU GIRL RIESLING

12 01 2013

KUNGFU GIRL – what a name for a riesling wine!

First time tasted this wine in the summer 2012 during vacation and was not impressed. Propably bottle had been open too long because acidity was lost and it had not been stored in enough cold place. Also as a fan of really dry rieslings Kungfu Girl tasted too sweet (see sugar amount below).

Second time with asian food changed opinion. Enough well chilled and wine tasted already as a aperitif promising.

Wine comes from Charles Smith Wines, Columbia Valley. New wine producer made his succes really quickly winning prizes.

When local wine magazine Viinilehti, nominated Kungfu Girl as one of the three best white wines 2012 and finally selected it as a winner, wine ran out of Alko’s; very typical if wine gets some publicity in Finland.

Kung Fu GirlKung Fu Girl RieslingDSC03311DSC03314

THE LOOK
Light yellow with some light green, close to colour of straw

THE NOSE
Fruits, a hint of petrol but much more less that most rieslings

THE FLAVOUR
Some minerals and quite sweet fruits compared to drier rieslings, easy aftertaste

Facts and figures:

Alcohol: 11% by volume
Extract: 39 g/l
Sugar: 18 g/l
Acidity: 7,8 g/l
Energy: 80 kcal/100 ml (320 kJ/100 ml)
Closure: metal screw cap

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

http://www.charlessmithwines.com/charles-smith-wines/wines/current/kung-fu-girl

Wine was promoted heavily at Food, Wine and Good Living event in October 2012. Do not try with white meat fishes or shell fish. Asian spicy food is perfect match!

DSC02598


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Special restaurant review: Strindberg

10 01 2013

This review is special because we had the honour to dine at restaurant Strindberg at the same time with our President Sauli Niinistö and his spouse Jenni. When the presidential couple left, changed light nods with the president.

Also this is special review due to 1st anniversary of reijosfood.com. Strindberg was one of the first reviewed restaurants in 2012.

Restaurant Strindberg, cafe’s and bar are located in Gallery Esplanade (ex Kämp Gallery) at North Esplanade. At street level is internationally fashioned café, very popular among tourists as well as Helsinki citizens. Just sit down, if you find a table and wait to be served, there is table service available. Mari cafe is behind main cafe, you can use Marimekko dishes and see Marimekko textiles.

On the second floor there is Strindberg à la carte, where we had dinner which also was the first restaurant reviewed in Helsinki 2013. The atmosphere at this restaurant is urban, but at the same time pleasantly peaceful. Sometimes loud discussion might make hearing difficult. Remember to ask for window table when making reservation! On the 5th January Christmas lights were still on the trees at Park Esplanade.

Park Esplanad

Library bar has become a popular rendez-vous spot for many. Worth a visit too although you would not dine, because you can observe diners through glass window. For us most visited bar, if having glass of wine after shopping.

THE DINNER

For starters had Toast Skagen and Chargrilled Arctic char tartare with horseradish crème fraîche, both very Scandinavian and Finnish dishes. At Strindberg you can always count on quality of Toast Skagen. Chargrill tasted suitably in Arctic char, really nice combination.

Toast SkagenArctic Char tartar

For main courses ordered Pan-fried lavaret, Puy lentils and beurre blanc with dill seeds and Braised veal cheeks with garlic and potato purée and thyme sauce. Instead of lentils asked for vegetables which was extremely succesful side dish for white fish. Cheek of veal was delicious because of long cooking time, really soft and crisp at the same time.

Cheek of vealWhitefhis

Desserts were French toast (Köyhät Ritarit) and Chokolate cake La Nègre and cardamom ice cream. French toast is traditional dish and sometimes it is still made at homes, actually quite easy. With add-on’s it makes your mouth drool, worth to try! Chokolate cake was served with fresh berries because we asked to leave ice-cream out.

Poor knightsCake

Food was excellent and overall grade gets good points because of location, decor and window view. Unfortunately this time service was not at the normal level either due to lack of personnel or tension due to visit of presidential couple. However, we got espresso, green tea and glass of grappa for free without whining. Proof of service attitude anyway.

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

http://www.strindberg.fi/en/restaurant


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Wine reviews: Gramona Xarel-lo and Cordillera Carignan

6 01 2013

This wine review is based on recommendation for cheeses by Copas y Tapas waiter when we had dinner there just before Christmas. Being conservative, cheeses need port wine or similar, this food and wine pairing was pleasant surprise.

After asking for sweet wine with the cheeses, which restaurant did not have, we were suggested to try wine from Gramona with Xarel-lo grape and Cordillera with Carignan grape by Miguel Torres (Chile).

Torres should be quite familiar to everyone but Gramona was unfamiliar to me. Gramona is family owned 125 year old wine yard in Penedes producing cavas and wines. Tasted wine comes from Font Jui site. Gramona also uses riesling in one of they white wines.

Because we were not so sure if red wine or dry white wine would be more suitable, decided to taste both.

THE LOOK

Gramona’s red wine was dark ruby red with hints of purple on the edges. Cordillera white wine was light yellow, close to gold.

THE NOSE

Gramona’s bouqet was quite sweet for dry white wine, some pieces of white fruits. Cordillera was warm and dense aroma reminiscent of spices and forests.

THE FLAVOUR

Most important thing was the perfect paring with the cheeses. If tasted separately these wines might feel too modest although they might be ok also separately.

Gramona had white fruit and some oak barrel taste. Sustained tartness, and pleasantly sharp white fruit finish with lasting aftertaste. Cordillera’s barrel ageing had added touches of vanilla and smoke. Although wine is quite strong, alcohol did not taste through.

We had Assortment of 5 cheeses: Manchego, Comte, Livarot, Gruyrere goat cheese and Ossay-Iraty. None of the cheeses were over salty or too greasy which were base for a perfect match to the wines. If one of the cheeses would have been blue cheese or really strong and greasy, more deep wine might have been needed.

Cheese plate

Facts and figures (Gramona):

Total acidity 4.6 g/l
Alcohol content 11.5% Vol.
Reducing sugars <; 2 g/l

Facts and figures (Cordillera):

Alcohol: 14 t-%
Extract: 33 g/l
Acidity: 5,5 g/l
Energy: 90 kcal/100 ml (380 kJ/100 ml)

These recommendations prove that restaurant Copas y Tapas service is professional also when it comes to wines. 4+ comes from pairing to cheeses. Note, Cordillera Carignan should be available at Alko.

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

http://www.gramona.com/web/es/productos/vinos/xarello.html

http://www.torres.es/wps/portal/tch/vinosdetalle_en?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/WebPublicaTorresChile/en/MenuPrincipal/Vinos/-ListadoVinos/CordilleraDetalle&tipo=Type&variedad=Grape%20Variety&premios=Awards&maridajes=Food%20matching&cata=Tasting%20notes&param=&paramvinos=Merlot,Carignan,Syrah

Restaurant review: Copas y Tapas


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