Restaurant review: Kappeli

9 07 2017

Restaurant Kappeli was opened to the public 1867 as summer restaurant but since 1970′s it has been open all year round. Latest renowation was in autumn 2011 still keeping same traditions in building structure.

In the summer you can also dine at the outside terrace, which is at the end of the building behind main terrace. If you want to sit in the middle of the main terrace but inside, ask for oriel window table for two. It is small but charming and one can even watch bands and singers at the stage opposite to the restaurant. We dined in that small glass walled space on Mid-Summer Eve.

Kappeli - reijosfood.com

Menu today looks tempting and first time it included vegan dish. But as it was Mid-Summer, it was nice to start the dinner with Vodka Martini. Unfortunately, as drink order was taken at the same time as food orders, starter came earlier than aperitif.

For starters ordered Kappeli’s Green salad and Prawn salad and smoky chilli dressing Citrus and tarragon marinated prawns, fried potatoes, samphire, cherry tomatoes seasoned with sorrel and egg.

Prawns were fresh and tasty. Potatoes were extremely delicious, they were cooked somehow differently than ever seen before. I do no recommend to try to spoon the tomatoes with fork, they might surprise you…

As green salad was so basic, no picture or story.

As main courses had Chargrilled whitefish, fried scallops and a fish roe and crème fraîche sauce Almond potato purée seasoned with dill, grilled spring cucumber and carrots and Broad bean and tomato ragù Deep-fried kale, fried mushrooms, macerated mini plum tomatoes and vegan cheese.

Long names for portions and all ingredients well listed.

Whitefish is favorite Finnish fish, light and not greasy at all like salmon. Side dishes were delicious and paired well with the main dish.

Ragu was made of Finnish invention called “Härkis“. It is made from broad beans and also available in the supermarkets. Vegan dishes are not basically meant to look or taste like meat, but this one was made so well that could have thought it was minced meat like ragu usually consists of. With spaghetti would be perfect, made like that.

 

For wine had organic Savia Viva from Pares Balta. Paired well with all dishes enjoyed. Take a look at the label! You can see some historic pictures from Finland, including Kappeli.

Kappeli is a perfect place to try Finnish kitchen in the center of events. Most of the diners are tourists especially now when it was Mid-Summer Eve.

Food was the best one so far compared to previous visits. Especially ragu surprised.

Service was polite and professional, but as mentioned earlier, aperitif was brought too late.

 

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

http://www.kappeli.fi/index.php?id=etusivu

 

 





Restaurant review: Bronda

11 02 2016

Bronda - reijosfood.com

Bronda, the 4th restaurant in Helsinki by Tomi Björck and Matti Wikberg, opened it’s doors in April, 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.

The lounge bar is open until late and it offers view to Park Esplanade. You can also dine there in even more relaxed athmosphere. Today bar is one of the most popular in Helsinki.

Bronda name comes from the building restaurant is located.

Bronda - reijosfood.com

Bronda’s dishes reflect Europe and particularly countries Spain, Italy and France. Portions are meant to be shared but you can also choose your own dishes.

For food chose Menu Esplanad with not so cheap red wine Hewitson the Mad Hatter from Australia. Wine list is versatile and somehow too luxorious compared to decoration and atmosphere but on the other hand you can enjoy wines you do not necessarily get anywhere else.

Dinner started with Prawn cocktail and Black Sesame Caesar. Would say sophisticated version of prawn cocktail which usually is covered with mayo. Apple gave lighter taste for already delicious starter.

Bronda I - reijosfood.com

Second dish was Local Beef Tar Tar & Mustard-Dashi. If you are afraid of tar tar’s you should try this one. Oriental spices make the dining experience pleasant.

Beef tar tar at Bronda - reijosfood.com

3rd dish served was Baby back rib.  Ribs were juicy and tender. Aioli was great but who can eat all that which was in the plate. Had maybe one spoonful.

Ribs at Bronda - reijosfood.com

4th and 5th dish were served at the same time; Fish stew and Risotto. Must say that risotto was too salty but otherwise very tasty. Stew included salmon fish and mussels and as it was prepared bouillabaise style, it really was scrumptious.

Fish stew and risotto at Bronda - reijosfood.com

Dessert was Tiramisu, but unfortunately forgot to take picture. It was tasty and perfect ending for dinner

Bronda was almost full when entering for 18.00 setting and was still full when leaving.

Relaxed athmosphere and loud background noise make restaurant perfect place for group gatherings. If you do not want to eat, it is worth to visit the bar.

Bronda bar - reijosfood.com

Compared to visit to restaurant over year ago both food and service had improved. Waiter and waitresses serving our table were well trained but also genuine.

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

http://ravintolabronda.fi/en/

 

 





Restaurant review: Brasserie Kämp – Kämp burger

26 04 2015

Brasserie Kämp - reijosfood.com

Hotel Kämp is a historical hotel in Helsinki. The hotel was originally built in 1887 by Carl Kämp. The building was demolished and the facade was rebuilt in 1965. The headquarters of the bank KOP were situated in the building for almost three decades, until 1995. A major restoration project, started in 1996, culminated in the reopening of Hotel Kämp in 1999.

Restaurant Brasserie Kämp offers a wide range of European food brasserie style. After building heated terrace four years ago you can dine “outside” all year around like in many brasseries in Paris. That is the place for enjoying Kämp burger.

Kämp burger consists of Black Angus beef patty, chipotle and bacon dressing, pickled red onion, cheddar, little gem lettuce between roll and pommes frites.

You can can choose the degree of maturity of the meat. Medium means that you get patty which is red inside. And patty is thick, thicker than you usually have seen and juicy. It is one reason for the price, 24€, but of course the milieu adds some value add. Fries are crispy as they should be and served with elegance.

With red wine, usually pinot noir, Kämp burger is perfect hunger killer for lunch!

Kämp burger - reijosfood.com

Brasserie Kämp is perfect location to observe passers-by on Esplanadi promenade and eat that famous Kämp burger. You can also watch swanky cars parked front of Hotel Kämp or driving to the hotel garage.

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

Ravintola Brasserie Kämp.





Restaurant review: Strindberg – one of the best views of Esplanade Park (Espa)

27 09 2014

Park Esplanade - reijosfood.com

Strindberg is located in Galleria Esplanad at North Esplanade. Restaurant dining room is at the 2nd floor. The atmosphere at this restaurant is urban, but at the same time pleasantly tranquil.

Sometimes loud discussion might break it, but not too disruptively. On Thursday evening restaurant was almost full booked, which is a proof of popularity.

Strindberg dining room - reijosfood.com

At street level is Strinberg café, very popular among tourists and Helsinki citizens. Just sit down, if you find a table and wait to be served, there is table service available. In the summer time table service applies also terrace, which is usually crowded, if weather is good. Maricafe is behind main cafe; there you can use Marimekko dishes and see Marimekko textiles.

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 for glass of wine after shopping or before dinner. There is also lunch spot Bakfickan behind the bar at the open gallery area.

Strindberg library bar - reijosfood.com

If you order sparkling water, you get San Pellegrino, one of our favourites. Bread basket included soft white bread and thin crispbread supplemented with hand made butter. Additional olive oil was brought to the table, because butter included lactose.

Bread at Strindberg - reijosfood.com

For starters had King prawns with sweet pepper mousse and fennel and Tartare of slightly salted lavaret with beetroots and Dijonnaise sauce.

Prawns were tasty as well as portion as a whole. Missed, however, more flavor for mousse because taste of pepper was quite mild. Whitefish tartare was also scrumptious and as beetroot is one of the best roots in Finland, could you ask more? Whitefish roe, egg yolk and white and sauce supplemented perfectly.

King prawns at Strindberg - reijosfood.comLaveret at Strindberg - reijosfood.com

For main courses ordered Roasted Arctic char with beetroot risotto and tarragon butter and Chargrilled salmon with béarnaise sauce and poached egg .

Arctic char was perfeclty roasted, still some rose color inside the fish. Usually it is cooked too well-done and that ruins the enjoyment. Beetroot risotto matched well with fish, almost sweet, which complemented nicely salty fish.

Salmon dish is one of the classics, which has been on the menu for ages. Main course includes 3 salmon slices and starter 2, otherwise same. Chargrilled salmon is always delicious and if you like bearnaise sauce, this is a dish for you. Asked the sauce in separate bowl, because it might have ruined the taste of fish. Suggest to do that, if you try this portion.

Arctic char at Strindberg - reijosfood.comSalmon at Strindberg - reijosfood.com

For desserts of course one of the classics, French toast (Köyhät Ritarit) and Cloudberry chiboust with cardamom financier.

French toast is traditional dish and sometimes it is still made at homes. With add-on’s it makes your mouth drool, worth to try! Also other dessert was toothsome. The cake in this dish was unfortunately so small, that almost ordered a second similar dish. And Finnish berries; cloudberry, strawberry and blueberry freshned up sweetness.

French toast at Strindberg - reijosfood.conDessert at Strindberg - reijosfood.com

For wine we had some white wine; Chablis la Pierrelée , AC Chablis, La Chablisienne.

Excellent choise for fish dishes, not available at Alko. Also some variation in the enjoyment of white wine as riesling has dominated so long.

Chablis La Pierrelee - reijosfood.com

Strindberg never lets you down when it comes to food. There must have been some extra efforts for service, because it has always been professional, but this time also extremely attentive.

And location at the 2nd floor, if you are able to get window table, completes dining enjoyment. So, remember to ask for window table!

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

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

http://www.galleriaesplanad.fi/en/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Restaurant review: Strindberg – one of the best views of Esplanade Park (Espa)

27 09 2014

Park Esplanade - reijosfood.com

Strindberg is located in Galleria Esplanad at North Esplanade. Restaurant dining room is at the 2nd floor. The atmosphere at this restaurant is urban, but at the same time pleasantly tranquil.

Sometimes loud discussion might break it, but not too disruptively. On Thursday evening restaurant was almost full booked, which is a proof of popularity.

Strindberg dining room - reijosfood.com

At street level is Strinberg café, very popular among tourists and Helsinki citizens. Just sit down, if you find a table and wait to be served, there is table service available. In the summer time table service applies also terrace, which is usually crowded, if weather is good. Maricafe is behind main cafe; there you can use Marimekko dishes and see Marimekko textiles.

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 for glass of wine after shopping or before dinner. There is also lunch spot Bakfickan behind the bar at the open gallery area.

Strindberg library bar - reijosfood.com

If you order sparkling water, you get San Pellegrino, one of our favourites. Bread basket included soft white bread and thin crispbread supplemented with hand made butter. Additional olive oil was brought to the table, because butter included lactose.

Bread at Strindberg - reijosfood.com

For starters had King prawns with sweet pepper mousse and fennel and Tartare of slightly salted lavaret with beetroots and Dijonnaise sauce.

Prawns were tasty as well as portion as a whole. Missed, however, more flavor for mousse because taste of pepper was quite mild. Whitefish tartare was also scrumptious and as beetroot is one of the best roots in Finland, could you ask more? Whitefish roe, egg yolk and white and sauce supplemented perfectly.

King prawns at Strindberg - reijosfood.comLaveret at Strindberg - reijosfood.com

For main courses ordered Roasted Arctic char with beetroot risotto and tarragon butter and Chargrilled salmon with béarnaise sauce and poached egg .

Arctic char was perfeclty roasted, still some rose color inside the fish. Usually it is cooked too well-done and that ruins the enjoyment. Beetroot risotto matched well with fish, almost sweet, which complemented nicely salty fish.

Salmon dish is one of the classics, which has been on the menu for ages. Main course includes 3 salmon slices and starter 2, otherwise same. Chargrilled salmon is always delicious and if you like bearnaise sauce, this is a dish for you. Asked the sauce in separate bowl, because it might have ruined the taste of fish. Suggest to do that, if you try this portion.

Arctic char at Strindberg - reijosfood.comSalmon at Strindberg - reijosfood.com

For desserts of course one of the classics, French toast (Köyhät Ritarit) and Cloudberry chiboust with cardamom financier.

French toast is traditional dish and sometimes it is still made at homes. With add-on’s it makes your mouth drool, worth to try! Also other dessert was toothsome. The cake in this dish was unfortunately so small, that almost ordered a second similar dish. And Finnish berries; cloudberry, strawberry and blueberry freshned up sweetness.

French toast at Strindberg - reijosfood.conDessert at Strindberg - reijosfood.com

For wine we had some white wine; Chablis la Pierrelée , AC Chablis, La Chablisienne.

Excellent choise for fish dishes, not available at Alko. Also some variation in the enjoyment of white wine as riesling has dominated so long.

Chablis La Pierrelee - reijosfood.com

Strindberg never lets you down when it comes to food. There must have been some extra efforts for service, because it has always been professional, but this time also extremely attentive.

And location at the 2nd floor, if you are able to get window table, completes dining enjoyment. So, remember to ask for window table!

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

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

http://www.galleriaesplanad.fi/en/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Restaurant review: Presto – A mangiare!

29 03 2014

Aperol Spritz at Presto - reijosfood.com

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.

Foccacia at Presto - reijosfoo.comAperol Spritz at Presto - reijosfood.com

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.

Mozzarella at Presto - reijosfood.comBruschette at Presto - reijosfood.com

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.

Pasta at Presto - reijosfood.comEggplant casserole at Presto - reijosfood.com

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.

Lemon Pie at Presto - reijosfood.comIce-cream at Presto - reijosfood.com

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.

Presto - reijosfood.comPresto bar - reijosfood.comProsecco Lounge at Presto - reijosfood.comDecor at Presto Prosecco Lounge - reijosfood.com

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





Restaurant review – Slow food at Teatterin Grilli

8 11 2013

Slow food - reijosfood.com

Late dinner in Helsinki? Typical time to start dinner in Finland is 6PM – 8PM. If you want to enjoy dinner “the Southern European way” and start it, for example 10PM, you have to choose restaurant carefully in order not to be forced to eat in rush. And I do not mean hot dog stands or McDonald’s.

As a pleaseant and interesting surprise noted that restaurant serves Slow food until 30th of November. You could choose from separate list Finnish delicacies which you could never usually eat. Meats and other rare foodstuff are purchased from small producers directly without middlemen.

Restaurant Teatterin Grilli is situated in Esplanade Park (Espa) behind Swedish theatre. Restaurant (dining room) is open until 1AM on Saturday but if you want to continue in the Night Club, it is open until 4AM.

Decided to order one starter from Slow food menu Broiled lampreys from Ulvila, mustard dressing and roasted archipelago bread and one from ordinary menu Cold smoked Baltic herring tartar, poached quail´s egg and vendace roe.

Never eaten lampreys. Sometimes you can get those at markets but in Helsinki restaurants I have not seen lampreys before. A little bit crisp and chevy at the same time. Closest food might be vendaces but in this case mustard dressing made the experience totally different. Herring tartar was delicious but amount of roe could have been greater.

Lampreys - reijosfood.comHerring at TG - reijosfood.com

For main courses again Slow food 2x Rosè-roasted grey partridges, creamed sugar beet and gravy-velouté.

Partridge is a rare fowl bird which can be hunted for a short time in the autumn. Breast fillets were rose as the name of the portion promised but bird legs were dry. Never seen sugar beet to be offered as side dish, as it is usually raw material for sugar. Anyway, worth to order and maybe not possible to repeat in the near future. The outlook of portion was not so attractive as it could have been at this price level.

Wine suggestion for partridges was Luna del Sur Pinot Noir from Bodegas Callia, Argentina. It paired perfectly with the bird.

Partridge at TG - reijosfood.com

Two desserts were available on Slow food menu but decided to choose desserts from traditional menu; Cranberry crumble with baked apple ice cream and TG- dessert trilogy; White chocolate mousse, arctic cloudberry soup and Granny Smith sorbet. Crumble was a little bit tart due to cranberries but soft ice-cream hided it nicely. Mousse was really sweet, almost too chunky and sorbet did not fit to the triangle so well.

Scrubmle at TG - reijosfood.comDessert at TG - reijosfood.com

Restaurant Teatterin Grilli does not let you down. Food is always delicious and it serves best gourmet burger in Helsinki. At 10PM when we arrived dining room was almost empty which is a proof tht Finns eat early. Waitering was still at good level dispite the late time.

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

Teatterin Grilli -reijosfood.comTeatterin Grilli - reijosfood.comTG - reijosfood.comTG - reijosfood.com

http://www.teatteri.fi/teatterin-grilli





Restaurant review: Kappeli

11 08 2013

Muusa at Kappeli - reijosfood.com

Finnish food in historic building.

Restaurant Kappeli was opened to the public 1867 as summer restaurant but since 1970′s it has been open all year round. Latest renowation was in autumn 2011 still keeping same traditions in building structure. You can also find some art pieces inside the restaurants if you look carefully, like “Muusa” sculpture in the picture.

In the summer you can also dine at the outside terrace which is at the end of the building behind main terrace. If you want to sit in the middle of the main terrace but inside, ask for oriel window table for two. It is small but charming and one can even watch bands and singers on stage opposite the restaurant. We dined in that small glass walled space, like private dining at the sames time as Jazz Espa was playing at the stage and there were several diners in the main dining room.

Kappeli - reijosfood.com

For starters ordered large Kappeli’s vegetable salad Salad, sweet pepper, artichoke, endive, green beans, croutons and honey sauce and Kappeli’s fish assortment Smoked salmon mousse, cold smoked Baltic herring skagen, smoked whitebait, cold smoked salmon and organic scrambled eggs.

Vegetable salad was fresh and it was asked to be served without green beans and croutons. Fish assortment was dissappointment, too salty and more simple than last year when we dined and made review (see link below)

Kappeli salad - reijosfood.comFish starter - reijosfood.com

As main courses had Smoked salmon creamy false morel sauce, potatoes with dill, butter and onion, baked tomato and zucchini and large Caesar salad and chicken.

Differences compared to last visit can be seen from previous review. Asked now to get false morel sauce in separate bowl. Salmon itself was well prepared. Caesar salad was delicious again as it was last time, a safe choise.

Salmon at Kappeli - reijosfood.comCaesar salad at Kappeli - reijosfood.com

Kappeli is a perfect place to try Finnish kitchen in the center of events. Most of the diners are tourists. However, food compared to experience is too expensive as well as wines. But you have to pay some extra for the specific athmosphere, restaurant style and location as in any other city. If weather is good, take a table at the terrace which unfortunately is a little bit aloof and try large Caesar salad.

If you have S-Group loyalty card you can utilize offers like Italian sparkling wine. Maybe cost of a bottle is about 2€’s to the restaurant but as we are in Finland, 24€’s for Loyal Customers and for others 35€. Best offer still is bottle of champagne for 39€ in all S-Group HOK-Elanto restaurants and that is decent offer!

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

http://www.kappeli.fi/index.php?id=23

https://reijosfood.com/2012/07/14/restaurant-review-kappeli/

Sparkling at Kappeli - reijosfood.com








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